26 replies to this topic

[Problem Eliminator]

After having the privilege of seeing Diamonds Are Forever on the big screen last week, I left the theater with a question that I never gave more than a passing thought after countless VHS/DVD viewings of the movie. Why is it that Charles Gray's Blofeld has a full head of hair when all others that we see before (and after if you count "villain in wheelchair" as Ernst) are bald? Did Gray himself insist on the condition? Was it Hamilton? The writers? A fashion related decision?

[David Schofield]

After having the privilege of seeing Diamonds Are Forever on the big screen last week, I left the theater with a question that I never gave more than a passing thought after countless VHS/DVD viewings of the movie. Why is it that Charles Gray's Blofeld has a full head of hair when all others that we see before (and after if you count "villain in wheelchair" as Ernst) are bald? Did Gray himself insist on the condition? Was it Hamilton? The writers? A fashion related decision?

Personally, I think the issue was given the same scant regard at the time as why not use Savalas again, why not make it a proper revenge movie, why not get Connery is shape etc. Diamonds has always seemed a shoddy, guick fix/release antidote to OHMSS from EON just to relieve themselves that Bond wasn't bust.

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

He had white hair in the books OHMSS and YOLT, if that means anything. Maybe Blofeld just wanted to make himself slightly less recognizable. I don't know.

I agree that Diamonds was a pretty shoddy quick fix, though. I think I look in better shape than Sean did in that movie...and I'm not attractive, trust me.

[Qwerty]

Just one of the things that happens from going from one Blofeld actor to another, I imagine it must not have concerned them too much.

[Loomis]

Not only does Blofeld have a full head of hair in DAF, he's also British - and he's definitely not a Brit in the other films, even when played by one (Pleasence).

Perhaps they wanted Blofeld to be an "international man of mystery" of ever-changing appearance (and accent). Also, not using Savalas again would have made sense if they didn't want to remind audiences of the brief and "failed" Lazenby era (and I'm sure they didn't).

[hrabb04]

Blofeld ran into Burt Reynolds after OHMSS who directed him to a "good" wig maker.

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

Blofeld ran into Burt Reynolds after OHMSS who directed him to a "good" wig maker.

Burt Reynolds as Blofeld....think of the possibilities!

[Qwerty]

Also, not using Savalas again would have made sense if they didn't want to remind audiences of the brief and "failed" Lazenby era (and I'm sure they didn't).

I'm agreeing with that statement there, but did they ever say anything further on why the big change from Blofeld to Blofeld?

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

It is a bit strange, we went from weird enigmatic European Blofeld - to dashingly handsome American Blofeld to cross-dressing tycoon Blofeld.

[stromberg]

He was a scientist in OHMSS, so he could easily have done some research on his own behalf. If he can invent "Virus Omega", he sureley can produce something that makes his hair grow.

Apart from that, he was able to make a couple of perfect lookalikes in DAF, a hair implant on himself would have been the easiest thing to do.

Another question of that sort: Why has Blofeld earlobes in DAF?

[stromberg]

Blofeld ran into Burt Reynolds after OHMSS who directed him to a "good" wig maker.

Burt Reynolds as Blofeld....think of the possibilities!

What? Blofeld in a giant chicken suit?

[Qwerty]

Another question of that sort: Why has Blofeld earlobes in DAF? 

An added benefit of the operation of the beginning of the film?

[Triton]

Could it be for the simple reason that actor Charles Gray refused to shave his head or wear a bald cap? Donald Pleasance is bald and Telly Savalas, as far as I know, was ever shown to have hair on his head in movies.

[hrabb04]

Burt Reynolds as Blofeld
Jerry Reed as Spectre #2
Dom Deluise as Spectre #3&#4&#5...he's 3 people combined

[Scottlee]

He was a scientist in OHMSS, so he could easily have done some research on his own behalf. If he can invent "Virus Omega", he sureley can produce something that makes his hair grow.

In DAF he says that "Science was never my strong suit", another striking characteristic change from the OHMSS Blofeld.

[Donovan]

Hmmm, not sure what version of "Diamonds Are Forever" you guys have on video, but in my version he says, "science has always been my strong suit" and his head is as bald and shiny as a baby's bottom. See for yourselves:

http://home.comcast....al/esb-bald.jpg

[Bondian]

Why does Blofeld have hair in Diamonds?

Perhaps he treated himself to a wig after successfully killing Bonds wife?.

[DLibrasnow]

Maybe he was bald by choice in YOLT and OHMSS. As has already been pointed out he has white hair in the books.

The most logical explanation I can think of was that he shaved his head in YOLT and OHMSS.

[Bondian]

The most logical explanation I can think of was that he shaved his head in YOLT and OHMSS.

..and was a lot shorter. LOL

[Jim]

Well, he does undergo a hell of a transformation in the books, between Thunderball (overweight, dark haired bulletheaded bruiser) to OHMSS (slender, white haired and fairly effete). The Gray Blofeld is, as a result, fairly faithful to the idea, if not the execution. How Bond is so able to recognise him is a different issue.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Why does Blofeld have hair in Diamonds?

Why is Blofeld in Diamonds Are Forever in the first place!?

[[dark]]

Why is it that Charles Gray's Blofeld has a full head of hair when all others that we see before (and after if you count "villain in wheelchair" as Ernst) are bald?

Probably to match Connery's chest.

[Alex Zamudio]

Hmmm, not sure what version of "Diamonds Are Forever" you guys have on video, but in my version he says, "science has always been my strong suit" and his head is as bald and shiny as a baby's bottom. See for yourselves

Charles Gray could've looked great and quite menacing bald! I wonder why they didn't go with that! Thanks for the cool pic...

[Bon-san]

Hmmm, not sure what version of "Diamonds Are Forever" you guys have on video, but in my version he says, "science has always been my strong suit" and his head is as bald and shiny as a baby's bottom. See for yourselves:

http://home.comcast....al/esb-bald.jpg

Brilliant!

[Genrewriter]

I wrote an article about the film last year and speculated that he was using plastic surgery and doubles the whole time, it was only in DAF that we saw this.

[booyeah_]

From http://en.wikipedia...._Stavro_Blofeld

In the films, Blofeld's physical appearance and personality varies wildly due to the change of actors (i.e. Blofeld's scar does not appear in On Her Majesty's Secret Service or Diamonds Are Forever, and in On Her Majesty's Secret Service it is revealed that Blofeld has removed his earlobes, but they return in Diamonds Are Forever along with a full head of hair). This is actually in keeping with the Blofeld of Fleming's novels, who is described as drastically changing his personality and appearance in order to hide from Bond.

[Johnboy007]

Invented a laser hair replacement surgery.

Or just got some plastic done, apparently not the most delicate part of plastic surgery...