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From the Archive
007 Issue #14 (1984) |
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Did you have much
discussion with Fleming about the character of Moneypenny?
I only talked to him about three times in all, but I found myself liking
him tremendously. He was very much like my husband, he had this sardonic
smile and attitude, I don’t think he took Bond very seriously. I think he
would have been highly amused if he had thought there would be James Bond
Fan Clubs and that half the world would be absolutely enamoured with this
character of his!
Did you find it strange to be acting with a new M in Octopussy?
No! I didn’t have anything to do with him as there is no scene between us
in the film. He doesn’t even press my buzzer! (laughs) In fact I didn’t
meet Robert Brown until we had finished filming. I think I say “Sir is
waiting for you in the office,” or something like that. As you can tell Moneypenny’s dialogue isn’t exactly imprinted in my mind forever (laughs),
because I’ve pretty well said the same thing backwards, forwards, sideways
and upside down over a period of 21 years.
How does it feel after playing the same character after 21 years?
I’ve had a lot of feelings about Moneypenny. First of all I was happy to
play it because as I said I needed the money, and then after the huge
success of Dr. No there was a sense of exhilaration that we were
making a second film. Then around about the time of Diamonds Are
Forever I was making an Agatha Christie film, Endless Night
(1972), for which I had my hair dyed black. They were going to do ‘Diamonds’
without me but somebody said you can’t leave Moneypenny out, so that’s why
I turned up as a policewoman, wearing a hat to hide my dyed hair. Anyway
to answer your question, I feel playing Moneypenny has rather type-cast me
and it was only after altering my own appearance that I got the role of
the “wicked stepmother’ in the Agatha Christie film! |
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What do you think is
the reason for the lasting success of the Bond series?
I think they’ve had two super actors, the directors have been terrific – I
mean they’re great entertainment, superbly made. Then there’s the
escapist element – most women would like to meet a James Bond type, and
most men fantasize on the Bond lifestyle!
Have you any views on who was the best/worst of the Bond leading
ladies?
Well I would probably have to say Pussy Galore/Honor Blackman, she was
terrific, a real Bond woman, and of course Ursula Andress. But so many of
them have been so utterly dreary. Another interesting thing is that not
one Bond film apart from, possibly Dr. No has ever made a star out
of any woman. I remember Britt Ekland bent my ear continually during the
filming of The Man With The Golden Gun on how it was going to make
her a huge star – it didn’t! Of course
Diana Rigg was a star of the
theatre long before she appeared in On Her Majesty's Secret Service
and she’s still not now a film star.
Were the reports of George Lazenby being difficult during the filming
of On Her Majesty's Secret Service fact or fiction?
Well again I wasn’t on the film for very long, a scene in my office in
London and about five days in Portugal filming the wedding scene. But
George Lazenby told me it was all fiction, totally fiction, I never asked
Diana Rigg and what George Lazenby told me I can’t tell you! |
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Have you read any of
the Bond novels?
Yes, but not for some years. I remember reading THE SPY WHO LOVED ME
(1962) while crossing the Atlantic and being quite upset because it was
positively pornographic, especially then – I mean I’m talking about 21
years ago.
Do you think there is an actor on the scene today that would make a
good new Bond?
There isn’t anybody that really comes to mind, though I tend to agree with
you that in casting a new Bond they should go for a totally unknown face.
What are your reactions to the rival Bond production Never Say Never
Again, and were you approached to appear in this film?
The funny thing is I saw Sean in California about last April. I was a
house-guest of the Norman Jewisons’ at the time and I suggested that they
invite Sean over to the party they were holding. So Sean and his wife
Micheline came over and I said “Hey I hear you’re doing a remake of
Thunderball,” and he said “that’s right,” and I said “why don’t you
give me a part” - of course this is all joking around in a friendly
fashion -and Sean said “I’m sorry but I’m not allowed to use the
characters of M, Q or Moneypenny, I can only use Bond.” I said I didn’t
want to play Moneypenny anyway – I want to play a villain (laughs). Anyway
that was about all that was said, so I was surprised that he had chosen
Pamela Salem to play Moneypenny because from what he’d said he was unable
to use the character! |
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ABOVE: Several items
of costume jewellery worn by Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny in the James
Bond films were acquired by the actress after filming. (top left)
A gilt metal and paste brooch modelled as a snarling
tiger's head with painted decoration set out with rhinestones and
cabochon imitation emerald eyes, worn by Lois Maxwell The Man
With The Golden Gun (1974) and in publicity shots for
Octopussy (1983) was auctioned at CHRISTIE'S on February 14,
2001 where it sold for £881. (bottom left and ROLLOVER image of
Lois Maxwell. (bottom left) A continental diamond and turquoise bee
brooch, with turquoise two stone set body, diamond wings, gem-set
eyes and engraved detail, worn by Lois Maxwell in On Her
Majesty's Secret Service (1969) and Octopussy (1983)
sold for a staggering £3,055. In the same sale a brooch of gilt
metal and imitation black diamonds modelled as a tropical fish,
worn by Lois Maxwell in From Russia With Love (1963) sold
for £764; and a SEIKO ladies steel and gilt quartz wristwatch worn
in A View To A Kill (1985) realised £1,1116.
BELOW: The floral hat worn by Lois Maxwell in A View To A Kill
(1985) eventually became part of the
007 MAGAZINE props
archive and worn again by the actress at
‘The James Bond 007 Fan Club
Diamonds Are Forever 22-Carat Christmas Special Lunch’
at Pinewood Studios on December 12, 1993. (top left) 007 MAGAZINE
Editor & Publisher Graham Rye with Desmond Llewelyn and
Lois Maxwell. (bottom right) [L-R] Lois Maxwell, Roger Moore,
Desmond Llewelyn, Patrick Macnee and Robert Brown on location at
Ascot Racecourse for the filming of A View To A Kill
(1985). |
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Actually, I think at
that time due to legal wrangles that were plaguing the production Connery
was in fact unable to use those characters!
I just hope for Sean’s sake that the film is a huge success. I think it’s
going to be awfully tough for him to compete with the expertise and money
that the real Bond films have.
What was the reaction within the established Bond camp to the rival
production?
Well when the rival production said they were going to release their film
at the same time as Octopussy, ‘Cubby’ said “If they’re going to
release their film at the same time as ours, then I’m going to re-release
the first three Bond films at the same time, so that the public will be
able to compare the slender handsome, good-looking young Sean Connery.”
Don’t you think that
is rather unpleasant!
It’s business!
Yes – but it almost borders on a personal attack – doesn’t it?
What you have to remember is that ‘Cubby’ has fought for years in
the courts to try and prevent this film being made.
But don’t you find it unfair that one company can hold a monopoly of
this kind?
They’ve got the monopoly! |
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ABOVE: (left) In
1949 LIFE magazine ran a feature where photographer
Philippe Halsman (1906-1979) conducted an experiment to see if
movie starlets’ acting was a good as their looks. Pictured above
are (top row) Lois Maxwell, Suzanne Dalbert, Enrica Sonia “Ricki” Soma
[mother of Anjelica Huston], (middle row) Laurette Luez,
Jane Nigh, Dolores Gardner, (bottom row) Marilyn Monroe and Cathy
Downs. Lois Maxwell began her film career in the late 1940s, and
won the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her
performance in That Hagen Girl (1947) - appearing with
Shirley Temple and future US President Ronald Reagan. Marilyn
Monroe famously appeared on the cover of the first issue of
PLAYBOY magazine in December 1953 which included a full-page nude
photograph of the actress taken in 1947. Ironically Lois Maxwell
would also appear in PLAYBOY in the November 1965 issue when she
was photographed along with other James Bond girls from the first
four films - some of whom were persuaded to reveal far more than
they had on screen. In addition to the fully-clothed shot of Lois
Maxwell that appeared in the published edition [INSET above
right], and a second pose showing Miss Moneypenny off-duty
(right), a third more revealing shot of the actress [ROLLOVER
image] appeared in the November 2008 edition - a year after her
death.
BELOW: FOREVER MONEYPENNY - (top left) A publicity photograph of
Lois Maxwell taken at the Savoy Hotel on February 12, 1964
to promote a newly-designed desk by Intra Design Ltd, a company
which was part of the Rank organisation. (top right) February 2,
2000: Lois Maxwell and then current Miss Moneypenny Samantha Bond
pose at Stoke Park Club with guns used in earlier James Bond
films, during a press viewing of 007 memorabilia being auctioned
at CHRISTIE'S later that month. (bottom left) Lois Maxwell at ‘The
World of James Bond 007’ at the 1996 Paris Motor Show - an
exhibition designed by 007 MAGAZINE Editor & Publisher Graham Rye.
(centre right and bottom) Lois Maxwell with Michaela Clavell and
Roger Moore in-between takes whilst filming
Octopussy (1983). |
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