GUIDE FOR THE FILM FANATIC: “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” with Alonso Duralde

·58 min·5 clips

Alonso Duralde argues that 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' is a Christmas movie because of its hidden holiday elements.

The episode begins with hosts Jason Bailey and Michael Hull introducing guest Alonso Duralde, a film critic and author known for his work on Christmas movies. Duralde discusses the revised edition of his book 'Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas', which adds over 100 new titles since its 2010 publication. He explains how he became an expert in holiday cinema by focusing on a niche area. Duralde then selects 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' from Danny Perry's 'Guide for the Film Fanatic', arguing it is a Christmas movie because of its holiday trappings like gifts and trees. The hosts share their personal histories with the Bond franchise, with Duralde recalling growing up in the 1970s and his first theater experience being 'Moonraker'. They analyze George Lazenby's performance as James Bond, noting his postmodern approach and chemistry with Diana Rigg. The discussion touches on the film's 1969 style, including snap zooms and a semi-obligatory lyrical interlude, and its downer ending compared to other Bonds. Duralde and the hosts debate why no Christmas movie since 'Elf' and 'Love Actually' has become a cultural classic, attributing it to changes in viewing habits. They explore the appeal of setting action movies at Christmas for visual contrast and cultural ubiquity. The episode includes a segment on the film's 1969 release and critical reception, with quotes from Pauline Kael and others. In 'Double It Up', Duralde recommends 'Three Days of the Condor' as a double feature, while Jason suggests 'The Man from Hong Kong' and Mike picks the Arnold Schwarzenegger-directed 'Christmas in Connecticut'. The episode concludes with promotional details for Duralde's book and social media handles.

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