Tilly Masterton is a character in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel, Goldfinger. The character was adapted for the 1964 film, Goldfinger, however, her name was changed to Tilly Masterson. Likewise her sister, Jill, was renamed Masterson as well. Tilly is played by Tania Mallet.

Tania Mallet as Tilly Masterson in ‘gildfinger’.

Novel biography: In the novel, Tilly travels to the United States with Bond as captives of Auric Goldfinger. She is eventually killed as the Operation Grandslam goes awry. She is also revealed as a lesbian and shows a strong attraction to Pussy Galore, the leader of an all-female criminal gang called “The Cement Mixers” who are to take part in Grandslam posing as nurses. After the operation is compromised, Bond tries to protect Tilly, who refuses his help and instead runs desperately seeking the aid of Pussy Galore, being then killed by Oddjob.

Tilly plays a somewhat smaller role in the film version of the book. She is first introduced when James Bond is following Goldfinger when he lands in Geneva. 007 is calmly driving along the road when Tilly speeds around a corner and beeps her horn, wanting to get past. Bond obliges and decides to pursue when he sees her drive past. However, 007 restrains himself commenting “Discipline 007!”. He stops on the edge of a hill when he notices Goldfinger has stopped below him.

Unknown to Bond, Tilly is trying to shoot Goldfinger with her AR-7, as revenge for his having killed her sister Jill, but misses completely, nearly hitting Bond in the process. She escapes in her car and 007 follows. After a short game of cat and mouse, Bond uses the tyre shredder feature on his Aston Martin and shreds both Tilly’s tires. 007 escorts her to the nearest garage, but she refuses any additional help.

Bond and Tilly Masterson meet once more in Goldfinger’s factory, where yet again she is trying to kill Goldfinger. Bond stops her, but she accidentally sets off an alarm. Goldfinger’s henchmen pursue Tilly and Bond in his Aston Martin, but by using its various features, he disposes of some of the pursing cars. However the road suddenly ends, forcing Tilly to run into the forest with 007 giving cover fire. Oddjob appears and kills Tilly with his hat.

See also:

• Bond girls