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Blofeld's Pussies!
Just been watching "Diamonds Are Forever" and "SPECTRE", and I git a few questions regarding the casting of Blofeld's cats. That must have been a pretty tough job no? In "Diamonds Are Forever" the white persian cats are....ehh...not treated so well. At the start of the main titles they make pussy scream like someone's bullying her!
Or what about the infamous superangry cat in "You Only Live Twice":
At least in "SPECTRE" pussy seemed to be in much better control of her own destiny:
So who actually came up using a white persian cat for Blofeld in the way it was done in "From Russia With Love"? Where did the producers get the cats from? And were Guy Hamilton and Lewis Gilbert not a tad bit naughty with Blofeld's pussies on set??
Or what about the infamous superangry cat in "You Only Live Twice":
At least in "SPECTRE" pussy seemed to be in much better control of her own destiny:
So who actually came up using a white persian cat for Blofeld in the way it was done in "From Russia With Love"? Where did the producers get the cats from? And were Guy Hamilton and Lewis Gilbert not a tad bit naughty with Blofeld's pussies on set??
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Comments
The history of Blofeld's cats surely is interesting. I don't know the definitive origin of Blofeld's cat or who had the idea originally, but I imagine that the decision arose between discussions Young and Moore had during From Russia with Love as they attempted to figure out a way to shoot the dialogues Klebb and Kronsteen had with Blofeld in an interesting and engaging manner. I think it's been decided that they chose a white cat so that viewers' eyes would be drawn to something on the screen to keep them engaged, since Blofeld's face would be hidden from them for the sustainment of the mystery. And here we are all those years later, with that image as unforgettable iconography.
The cats certainly haven't had an easy road, and PETA has a greater reason to protest these movies than any feminists do to blabber on about Bond's supposed misogyny. At every turn these cats are in mortal danger, whether it's from an exploding control room with sparks whizzing past their near-singed fur, or when a certain Double-O comes by to kill their master and propels them into the air from a couch cushion as a surprise tactic of his. The cat in SP gets to be much more mellow, with the danger coming to Bond at that time, but I'll bet you this: that thing was incinerated in that base explosion and even if it did survive I guarantee all its nine lives were then used up. Can't catch a break, the little devils.
I've always appreciated the cats as character building imagery as opposed to their traditional iconography. A cat really was the perfect symbol to associate with Blofeld, as they both share a furtive, tactical mind that strikes at the mice of the world with cunning and coldness. The very callous, stealthy nature of a cat sauntering about is very much the role of SPECTRE, to strike in silence and without remorse.
It all works so well,and a fantastic combination to show SPECTRE as an evil organisation.
The scene in FRWL where the fighting fish have worn each other out and Blofeld feeds one to the cat is brilliant,as basically the fighting fish are Britain and Russia fighting eachother for the Lektor ,and when both are weak,SPECTRE strikes and takes it.
So clever in the thought process,to send out a subliminal message in that scene.
I was happy to see the cat back for Spectre. It was done in a way that wasn't funny but rather a homage to the original character and movies.
Will the pussy return in Bond 25...I suppose that depends on the villain.
@thedove, the great thing about having the cat as a thing for the camera to lock in on also gave us the inevitable view of Blofeld's hand with his SPECTRE ring on it, introducing us to yet another piece of Bond iconography in a two birds with one stone fashion.
The cat was in TB, by the way, but with Blofeld's decreased presence it may not stick in the head as much:
http://list.lisimg.com/image/4176851/500full.jpg
In any case, I do think if you see such scenes as a 5-year old for the first time, it's actually pretty damn scary.
@Revelator, I love the background you bring to things like this. I wonder if the history of cats and villains in film pre-war was a conscious influence on Young, Moore and company. I've never heard any direct quotes from them, but they could be out there.
Should have been CatRox then, and not @FoxRox.
No rhyme though, plus I like foxes too!
Good one! Well spotted!
Probably supplied by an agency specialising in animals for movies and TV. I had a quick google and these guys have provided a Blofeld cat, but don't specify which:
https://www.animalactors.co.uk/credits.php
And of course we all know the Cheshire cat or Disney's Cinderella and 101 Dalmatians cats.
As part of the evil side, a white Persian could mean aristocracy or decadence...
Azrael appeared in 1959... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gargamel
According to an unreliable source (Youtube comments, duh) a person claims to know the owner of the SP cat. It's property of a lady and going on well (I love its inquisitive, rather than indifferent, expression).
Though he did threaten the Q kitties.
To be fair, Bond is frequently away from home, so having pets would be difficult for him and the animals (I suppose May could tend to them, but still...). And we do know that Bond, like his creator, is very fond of birds and fishes. Fleming also kept some dogs around Goldeneye. Were Bond to retire, he'd probably acquire a bird or two.
My favorite white cat moment is in OHMSS, when Blofeld, hearing of Bond's escape, throws his kitty aside. It's a great way of showing the audience that this Blofeld is not a sedentary, chairbound evil genius but a man of action and will. I wasn't pleased to see the white cat appear in Spectre--adding the old campy trappings (kitty, YOLT scar, Nehru jacket) wouldn't have been a problem if the filmmakers had previously established Blofeld as a truly menacing, imposing, and impressively demonic foe. Instead they cast an already-campy actor in the role, gave him the silliest backstory in Bond history, and tobogganed downhill.
That makes me feel much more comfortable about it. Thank you!
And does Bond s dog kill Blofeld s cat at some point?
'You can't kill my dreams...' but you've made a bloody good go of it.
Always felt really bad for the poor little bugger in YOLT. He/she must have been terrified.
Great homage @Gustav_Graves. Looks like Telly really got along with his feline friend there.