Michigan theater to show 2 007 films

Iconic publicity still for Goldfinger with Sean Connery leaning against the Aston Martin DB5.

The Redford Theatre in Detroit is showing two James Bond films later this month.

First up is 1964’s Goldfinger, scheduled for 8 p.m., Aug. 11, and 2 p.m., Aug.12. It’s followed by The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), scheduled for 8 p.m., Aug. 12. Tickets for all showings cost $5 each.

Both films are important in the history of the Bond film series produced by Eon Productions.

Goldfinger, with Sean Connery as Bond, was a mega-hit and helped launch the 1960s spy craze. Goldfinger was the tide that rose all boats. The first two Bond films, Dr. No and From Russia With Love, were big hits. Goldfinger took things to the next step.

The movie included one of the best-known Bond songs (by John Barry, Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley) while soundman Norman Wanstall won an Oscar.

The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Roger Moore in his third 007 movie, provided a surge for the series. Eon’s founders, Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, had split with the latter selling out his interest to United Artists.

The box office for the previous Eon entry, The Man With the Golden Gun, had dipped. With Spy, 007 bounced back with a movie that received three Oscar nominations (for sets, music score, and song), albeit with no wins. Still, Spy’s success ensured there would be future Bond installments.