Test screenings of Bond films

[English Agent]

Having read the many discussions on the Bond films on this site and others.

I have a question!!!

How come the film makers dont seem to have the same mindset as the public do to the slapstick humour.

For example, in many peoples opinion the 'beach boys' theme in AVTAK,
ruined the pre-credits sequence in the film, by taking out the tone of the action piece which was actually pretty good.

When the filmmakers sit down to watch the first screening of the film, you'd of thought they'd say 'this is wrong, it doesn't work' and cut it out.

I mean what was Cubby thinking when he had 'Bond' doing a tarzan yell
in OP. I'am surprised no one said 'What the f***', at the screening.
I cant believe they all thought yeah this is great, the public will roll around
the aisles laughing.
NO ..... we didn't did we.

Or do you think by that stage its too late to edit the film before release, and they hope the public will buy it.

[Kristatos]

Two possible explanations:

1) Audience tastes were different in the 80's, or
2) Test screenings weren't used back then.

I know more recent Bond films use audience test screening because Teri Hatcher's part in TND was cut down after preview audiences responded negatively to her character. Then again, Cubby excercised tighter control over the Bond films than his successors, as evidenced by the fact that the "delicatessen in stainless steel" line stayed in FYEO despite nobody else involved with the film knowing what the hell it meant.

[English Agent]

Two possible explanations:

1) Audience tastes were different in the 80's, or
2) Test screenings weren't used back then.

I know more recent Bond films use audience test screening because Teri Hatcher's part in TND was cut down after preview audiences responded negatively to her character. Then again, Cubby excercised tighter control over the Bond films than his successors, as evidenced by the fact that the "delicatessen in stainless steel" line stayed in FYEO despite nobody else involved with the film knowing what the hell it meant.

Incidently, what did that line 'i'll buy you a delicatessen in stainless steel mean?

[Commander 0077]

Two possible explanations:

1) Audience tastes were different in the 80's, or
2) Test screenings weren't used back then.

I know more recent Bond films use audience test screening because Teri Hatcher's part in TND was cut down after preview audiences responded negatively to her character. Then again, Cubby excercised tighter control over the Bond films than his successors, as evidenced by the fact that the "delicatessen in stainless steel" line stayed in FYEO despite nobody else involved with the film knowing what the hell it meant.

Yes, Teri Hatcher was one of the low points. Also, Jonathan Pryce wasn't that much better --- I suppose a good match for a husband and wife team.

Incidently, what did that line 'i'll buy you a delicatessen in stainless steel mean?

I guess 'Blofeld' (who of course was not named) was trying to bribe Bond, who of course is a master chef. Perhaps Blofeld's spies followed Bond around and noted he had a love for pastrami on rye

btw, in the books Bond's daily meals were rather simple -- grilled sole, probably steak. It was only on his missions that he took out the MI-credit card and ordered in five star eateries. So it's possible that Bond did spend a lot of time in delis.

[Kristatos]

Incidently, what did that line 'i'll buy you a delicatessen in stainless steel mean?

Nobody knows. Apparently, Cubby thought it was such a funny line that he insisted that it stay in the film, and it seems there was nobody powerful enough to overrule him.

[The Sweeney]

I think the 70's were a tongue-in-cheek time anyway, for certain films. Smokey & the Bandit, Cannonball Run, Every Which Way But Loose, etc.

But there were big blockbuster films that were serious too - Jaws, Close Encounters, Star Wars, even Superman.

It's a shame Cubby wanted the Moore films to follow in the tongue-in-cheek fashion rather than the serious route. By the time of Octopussy, it is embarassing when you compare it to something solid like the original Raiders of the Lost Ark - which was in a league of its own.

This makes me think that Cubby wasn't so hot after all with his creative input and decisions, by the late 70's/80's. OP and AVTAK were not very good films at all, when compared to other action films out at the time.

[Commander 0077]

I think the 70's were a tongue-in-cheek time anyway, for certain films. Smokey & the Bandit, Cannonball Run, Every Which Way But Loose, etc.

But there were big blockbuster films that were serious too - Jaws, Close Encounters, Star Wars, even Superman.

It's a shame Cubby wanted the Moore films to follow in the tongue-in-cheek fashion rather than the serious route. By the time of Octopussy, it is embarassing when you compare it to something solid like the original Raiders of the Lost Ark - which was in a league of its own.

This makes me think that Cubby wasn't so hot after all with his creative input and decisions, by the late 70's/80's. OP and AVTAK were not very good films at all, when compared to other action films out at the time.

Indiana Jones took a serious nose dive in the second installment -- zipping out of a plane on a raft, then schussing down a snowy mountain, and then into a raging river ... very Moore like at his worse. Moore was very good when he was both serious * tongue-in-cheek.
(* serious isn't the same as solemn; Dalton was too solemn most of the time).

[stockslivevan]

"Junior!"

[The Sweeney]

I think the 70's were a tongue-in-cheek time anyway, for certain films. Smokey & the Bandit, Cannonball Run, Every Which Way But Loose, etc.

But there were big blockbuster films that were serious too - Jaws, Close Encounters, Star Wars, even Superman.

It's a shame Cubby wanted the Moore films to follow in the tongue-in-cheek fashion rather than the serious route. By the time of Octopussy, it is embarassing when you compare it to something solid like the original Raiders of the Lost Ark - which was in a league of its own.

This makes me think that Cubby wasn't so hot after all with his creative input and decisions, by the late 70's/80's. OP and AVTAK were not very good films at all, when compared to other action films out at the time.

Indiana Jones took a serious nose dive in the second installment -- zipping out of a plane on a raft, then schussing down a snowy mountain, and then into a raging river ... very Moore like at his worse. Moore was very good when he was both serious * tongue-in-cheek.
(* serious isn't the same as solemn; Dalton was too solemn most of the time).

I only referred to Raiders, not the other 2 films, which were much weaker.

[adam]

I think the 70's were a tongue-in-cheek time anyway, for certain films. Smokey & the Bandit, Cannonball Run, Every Which Way But Loose, etc.

But there were big blockbuster films that were serious too - Jaws, Close Encounters, Star Wars, even Superman.

It's a shame Cubby wanted the Moore films to follow in the tongue-in-cheek fashion rather than the serious route. By the time of Octopussy, it is embarassing when you compare it to something solid like the original Raiders of the Lost Ark - which was in a league of its own.

This makes me think that Cubby wasn't so hot after all with his creative input and decisions, by the late 70's/80's. OP and AVTAK were not very good films at all, when compared to other action films out at the time.

I thought the tarzen yell & beach boys music were amusing, if not laugh out loud funny. The beach boys were played during the PTS, everyone knows Bond is going to survive, they just want a bit of fun before the serious stuff starts. The first three scenes in O are played just for laughs before the more exciting action starts.

[Skywalker]

I thought the tarzen yell & beach boys music were amusing, if not laugh out loud funny. The beach boys were played during the PTS, everyone knows Bond is going to survive, they just want a bit of fun before the serious stuff starts. The first three scenes in O are played just for laughs before the more exciting action starts.

Well put Adam.

[English Agent]

I think the 70's were a tongue-in-cheek time anyway, for certain films. Smokey & the Bandit, Cannonball Run, Every Which Way But Loose, etc.

But there were big blockbuster films that were serious too - Jaws, Close Encounters, Star Wars, even Superman.

It's a shame Cubby wanted the Moore films to follow in the tongue-in-cheek fashion rather than the serious route. By the time of Octopussy, it is embarassing when you compare it to something solid like the original Raiders of the Lost Ark - which was in a league of its own.

This makes me think that Cubby wasn't so hot after all with his creative input and decisions, by the late 70's/80's. OP and AVTAK were not very good films at all, when compared to other action films out at the time.

I thought the tarzen yell & beach boys music were amusing, if not laugh out loud funny. The beach boys were played during the PTS, everyone knows Bond is going to survive, they just want a bit of fun before the serious stuff starts. The first three scenes in O are played just for laughs before the more exciting action starts.

NO, NO, NO......it was not funny!! It was bleedin stupid.

One moment you guys are criticising CR because its not like how Fleming
envisaged, then you say this sort of thing is OK.

When did Fleming ever have 'Tarzan, The Beach boys, Robot dogs etc in
his novels.

Silly people!

[Commander 0077]

The Tarzan yell, Jaws surviving a free fall without a parachute, Beach Boys, etc. are not funny. Bond is supposed to be amusing, not completely slap stick.
However, I have to say DAF is amusing most of the time. By that time, Connery is poking fun at himself. If Moore did some of the same things, it wouldn't have worked. DAF doesn't have Tarzan yell-type scenes. But note in DAF there were few things that were physically impossible, other than the Mustang going on edge through the alley. Note also that in most of the action, Connery plays it straight -- the fight in the elevator. Of course, it could have been a much better film if the tone was more like Goldfinger rather than Moonraker. Oh well.

[English Agent]

Yes, humour is fine in Bond films:-

for example.

Wint and Kidd in DAF

and

Sheriff J.W.Pepper in LALD and TMWTGG

But, plain stupid, ridiculous slapstick is NOT!!

EA

[Skywalker]

NO, NO, NO......it was not funny!! It was bleedin stupid.

One moment you guys are criticising CR because its not like how Fleming
envisaged, then you say this sort of thing is OK.

When did Fleming ever have 'Tarzan, The Beach boys, Robot dogs etc in
his novels.

Silly people!

The Beach Boys theme does not irritate me at all and I consider AVTAK's PTS to be excellent. The musical score at the start and end of the PTS is Barry at his best.

[English Agent]

NO, NO, NO......it was not funny!! It was bleedin stupid.

One moment you guys are criticising CR because its not like how Fleming
envisaged, then you say this sort of thing is OK.

When did Fleming ever have 'Tarzan, The Beach boys, Robot dogs etc in
his novels.

Silly people!

The Beach Boys theme does not irritate me at all and I consider AVTAK's PTS to be excellent. The musical score at the start and end of the PTS is Barry at his best.

Yes the PTS in AVTAK was very good...............it was just that the
California Girls tune, ruined the tone to the action sequence.

[Commander 0077]

Yes, 1/ the Beach Boys ruined the tone of the scene 2/ Barry in usual top form -- with a hat off to his OHMSS