For Bond fans, "Goldfinger" is the film that set the Bond series on the course it has remained on to this day. The formula was set: a megalomaniac launches a massive criminal operation (in this case Auric Goldfinger wants to basically steal all the world's gold), there's an intractible henchman (e.g. Oddjob), and of course a bad girl that Bond can turn good through his extraordinary skills at seduction (e.g. Pussy Galore). There's also plenty of action and a generous supply of urbane wit, both of which have contributed to the long-term success of the James Bond franchise.

This was also the film that introduced the world to Bond's favourite drink order: a martini, shaken not stirred. This is an odd way to order this famous drink, since most martini-drinkers would tell you that a shaken martini ends up containing more water than it should, losing much of its punch.

While we're debunking 007, we'll also mention that there's no plausible evidence that being covered head-to-toe in gold paint is even a little bit fatal, though you probably still shouldn't try it at home. --EH