He says that his personal code is based on a mathematical progression of 40, 23, 38. And then every time he's about to explain what its based on, they stop him and say "I can imagine what it's based on".
What exactly do they mean by that? Women figure sizes from top to bottom?
Indeed. The classic "hourglass figure" is 36-24-36. 40-23-38 would be rather well endowed.
shareIt's from those long-ago days when women had waists, curves and shapes instead of being soda straws with decoys implanted at the top. A little "too much" was just fine.
For reference, see "Joan" on Mad Men.
What I had in mind was boxing the compass.share
It's interesting to note that the rudiments of this "code" change in the movie. When talking to the taxi driver (in Italian), Flint gives the numbers "40-23-38." When he first explains it to Cramden, the numbers are "40-26-36." I guess Flint's interest in curvy-ness grew as he got closer to meeting Gila.
shareI was a bit startled by the "progression" because I came close to that in my late teens/early 20s, with just a bit more in the waist. Sadly, severe illnesses started setting in and I lost that ideal(?) figure. Looking back, I wish that I had been more daring clothingwise, as it was such an adventurous time for styles. I did buy my first two-piece bathing suit but never went farther than the backyard for attempts at tanning. I was painfully shy, so I certainly couldn't have been like the ladies in the movie. I likely would have ended up in more trouble than I could handle=}
It's true that back then girls and women definitely had better figures. Also, the guys certainly looked better.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
You are beautiful in your mind and that's all that counts. I've met many women over the decades in terms of beauty and brain. No man is worth his salt if all he ever considers are a bunch of numbers when it comes to the opposite sex. If a person can't hold up their end of a conversation matters more to me than their figure. If they fall in love, the "figures" will add up soon in other ways.
"Our Man Flint" is one of my favorite self-indulgent films of all time because of its irreverence to the Bond series, which took itself too seriously. Flint never dotes on too much etiquette. Unlike Bond, who seems so snobbish, Flint doesn't mind mixing it up with ordinary people and having down to earth fun. James Coburn gives the character great depth. I miss him.
I like Flint, too, and my sister had a mad crush on James Coburn back then. The character is interesting because of his all-round expertise and, especially, because he cares about the women in his life. People have referred to them as a harem, but I correct them by noting that they are women who are experts in their respective fields, intelligent and accomplished, not simply "boy toys".
I admit to loving Sean Connery's James Bond, too, but he doesn't seem as approachable as Flint. The latter seems to really like women, whereas Bond often sees them as objects to deal with. I must add that Bond did have his tender, gentler, more thoughtful moments, even playful. They aren't always disposable.
Flint and Bond are alike in some ways but most definitely are individuals. I never felt as if I was watching Bond-wannabe when I view the Flint films~or Matt Helm for that matter.
I'm always tickled by the near-impossible things that Flint can do, including the watch device that revives him. The movies simply are a lot of fun.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
We're on the same page. This movies are more on the fun side. Even Coburn's "kill" scene is behind the door so we never see him deliver the lethal blow. A third movie was planned but Coburn refused and the project was scrapped. The reason why I am here is because I was going through my digital files and realized I had made extra copies of "Our Man Flint" for my different devices so I could watch it on the go - shades of Howard Hughes (I hope not!).
share"defiant-10 replied Apr 28, 2012 It's from those long-ago days when women had waists, curves and shapes instead of being soda straws with decoys implanted at the top. A little "too much" was just fine. For reference, see "Joan" on Mad Men."
"Decoys" indeed! ROFLMAO! Today's anorexic victim style pretty much began in the 60's with Twiggy (supermodel of that era) and her flat ironed hair. Yes, I do in fact expel dust pharts, thanks for inquiring.
Twiggy was popular, true. But, trust, me, teen girls weren't emulating her! Yes, we dieted, but I don't recall any girls in grade school, high school or college trying to match Twiggy's extreme thinness. Also, by the time she was a few years older, she started filling out. She often told people that she was hurt when they "made fun of me figger". I think we knew that she and Veruschka were naturally very thin. Most girls liked eating too much to try for their look though green beans and baby food were very popular, at least until girls found out that the latter wasn't necessarily a good diet choice.
Curves remained popular though most weren't as drastically curvy as Bond/Flint girls tended to be.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***