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Sean Connery returns one more time (not counting his appearance in 1983’s unofficial entry, Never Say Never Again) in what is easily the silliest of his Bond films. Charles Gray becomes the third actor to play archvillain Blofeld, who this time is hording the world’s diamond supplies so that he can build an orbiting laser gun to terrorize the world. I like the light, breezy tone of Diamonds are Forever. Jill St. John, as Tiffany Case, makes for one of Connery’s better female costars, and it’s nice to hear Shirley Bassey singing over the main titles again. I don’t care for Blofeld’s oddly conceived gay duo of evil sidekicks, Misters Kidd and Wint (Bruce Glover and Putter Smith), and the third act aboard the off-shore oil rig is weaker than most Bond finales. But even mediocre Bond is good enough for me.

Directed by Guy Hamilton. With Lana Wood as Plenty O’Toole and Jimmy Dean (actor/singer/sausage creator) as a Howard Hughes-like reclusive tycoon.

Oscar Nomination: Best Sound