Bond Girl Dossier: Pussy Galore
By David Pegram
Pussy Galore: You can turn off the charm. I’m immune.
Name: Pussy Galore
Portrayed By: Honor Blackman
Appearances: Goldfinger
Background
Pussy Galore is a pilot and the leader of Pussy Galore’s Flying Circus, a fleet of planes piloted by women. Pussy is also Auric Goldfinger’s personal pilot and accomplice in “Operation Grandslam,” Goldfinger’s plot to destroy the U.S. gold supply in order to increase the value of the gold he already owns. Pussy’s interests are purely financial, as she wishes to buy her own island and “get back to nature.”
Relationship With Bond
James Bond meets Pussy Galore on board a private jet she is flying. Goldfinger ordered her to transport Bond from Switzerland to the United States. Bond was unconscious when placed on board and awakens, in mid-flight, to her introduction: “I’m Pussy Galore,” to which Bond responds, “I must be dreaming.”
After Bond shaves and freshens up, she nearly makes a grave mistake, pointing a gun at him to make sure he knows who is in charge. Bond’s response turns the table on her: “That’s a Smith and Wesson 45, and if you fire at me at this close range, the bullet will pass through me and the fuselage like a blowtorch through butter. The cabin will depressurize, and we’ll both be sucked into outer space together. If that’s how you want to enter the United States, you’re welcome. As for me, I prefer the easy way.”
Pussy accompanies Bond to Goldfinger’s stud farm in Kentucky. When Bond manages to escape his cell and eavesdrop on Goldfinger’s details for Operation Grandslam, it is Pussy who finds him. Bond has learned that her role is to lead the Flying Circus in spraying Fort Knox with a tranquilizing gas.
Though Pussy insists she is immune to his charms, she gives in. After wrestling in a barn, the two kiss. What ensues next leads Pussy to “see things” Bond’s way. Pussy ends up turning on Goldfinger. Though Operation Grandslam commences, on schedule, Pussy does not release the poison gas, as assigned. Troops in and around Fort Knox are unaffected and “play act” the effects of the gas in order to lure Goldfinger into a trap. However, though Goldfinger’s plan is thwarted, he escapes.
Bond and Pussy reunite on her plane, as she flies him to Washington to meet with the President. However, Goldfinger has snuck on board. A fight ensues, and gunfire leads to cabin depressurization. Goldfinger is sucked out of the plane, and Bond and Pussy are forced to parachute to safety.