RIP Claudine Auger…
Sad news to have to share today.
French actress Claudine Auger, one of 007’s most beautiful and empowered “Bond Girls”, has died. She was Dominique “Domino” Derval in “Thunderball”, and had a terrific career beyond that as well.
Auger died in Paris on December 20, with no cause of death revealed…
here’s a look at her great career.
Auger was born is France, she earned the title of “Miss France Monde” and was the first runner-up in the 1958 “Miss World” contest.
Claudine’s big break came in 1965 when she shared the poster with Sean Connery as Bond girl “Domino” in “Thunderball”!
Auger holds her own against 007, and was another of the great empowered female characters that actually showcased brains as well as beauty…the film’s huge success made her a star – which she used to appear in some of the best 1970’s sex shockers of all time!
A “Bond Girl” Triple Bill Of Terror!
In 1971, Claudine starred with two other Bond girls, Barbara Bach and Barbara Bouchet, in the classic Italian Giallo “Black Belly Of The Tarantula”!
Check out the intense trailer!
Here is the plot for this classic Italian thriller:
Inspector Tellini investigates serial crimes where victims are paralyzed while having their bellies ripped open with a sharp knife, much in the same way tarantulas are killed by the black wasp!
Claudine is terrific in the film, which is one of the best Italian “giallo” thrillers – italian thrillers with lots of bloodshed and nudity!
Time For More Claudine!
Auger also starred in another great Italian “giallo” thriller – check out this ad!
“Twitch Of The Death Nerve”!
I love how newspaper ads from this era warned about the incredible shocks that awaited the moviegoer…
First, check out the trailer – the film was also released as “Carnage” and “A Bay Of Blood!” as well!
Here is the plot: Countess Federica, the elderly owner of a coveted piece of bayside property, is brutally slain by her husband–who is himself killed by a mysterious third person at the murder scene! Who is the killer? Director Mario Bava’s black comedy of human greed boasts 13 characters and 13 of the most shocking murders ever filmed!
This is considered by many cult film fans as Director Mario Bava’s most influential film and the Godfather of the “slasher” genre!
As I mentioned, this film was released in the US with a multitude of titles, including “The Last House on the Left Part II”, even though this film had nothing to do with Wes Craven’s cult shocker “The Last House on the Left”!
Here is more great trivia, thanks to IMDB: the film “Friday the 13th Part 2” includes two murder sequences that were taken almost shot-for-shot from this film!
Auger has had a long and successful career, but these movies are, without a doubt, some of her greatest work!
Auger cut back on acting by the 80’s, but will always be, to me, the greatest “Bond Girl” of all time!
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RIP Claudine Auger…
Categories: 70's Films, Artsploitation, Books / Media, Classic Action Films, Classic Horror, Cult Classics, Euro-Sleaze, Exploitation Films, Grindhouse, JRsploitation, sex kittens, Talent / Celebrites
JR-Sploitation! 
Great tribute, John. I was actually shocked to hear she was 78. That made me remember that we are all getting older, and the stars of my youth are fading fast.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I know, Pete…a bit sad to see them aging…because that means we are as well!
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