Last night at the 85th Annual Academy Award, singer Shirley Bassey brought a much-needed touch of class to the awards by singing her signature title track to 1964's Goldfinger.
Celebrating 50 years of James Bond on film, the Academy paid tribute with a collage of film clips introduced by Oscar winner Halle Berry, who played Bond girl Jinx opposite Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day (2002).
Decked out in a golden dress, the 76-year-old Bassey took to the stage after the montage to belt out a very good rendition of "Goldfinger," a strong performance that earned the night's first standing ovation in a night plagued by socket puppets and William Shatner.
Later in the evening, eventual Best Original Song winner Adele sang her nominated title song for Skyfall (2012), which many consider to be a worthy successor to Goldfinger. Even so, the Sean Connery film still holds its place as the greatest Bond film ever made.
Shirley Bassey sings "Goldfinger" at the 85th Annual Academy Awards/PA Images/Chris Pizzello/AP
Comments
What a showstopper Dame Shirley is. She breathed new life at the Oscars, now who could hold a candle!