Roger Moore Interview
HarveyMushman
Posts: 333MI6 Agent
Thought you guys (edit: and ladies, my apologies) might like this interview which popped up in the Australian Financial Review's "Lifestyle" section today with Roger Moore titled:
Roger Moore knows the secret of James Bond's success
The article is blocked by a paywall subscription service so here is the copy and paste in case anyone wanted to read it.
You divide your time between Monaco and Switzerland. What are your favourite haunts in each?
Our main home is in Monaco, where we are spoiled with so many good restaurants just a short stroll away. The Café de Paris in Casino Square is not only a very central place for lunch, but one of the best in town. Michelangelo, in the port, serves the most amazing mozzarella and tomato you'll ever enjoy, and for a more expensive treat there's Joel Robuchon. I used to enjoy a drink at the Hotel de Paris' American Bar if the sun was far enough over the yardarm. Now I'm diabetic and teetotal I just have to watch others enjoying a drink. (These days it's non-alcoholic beer, which I mix with Coke Zero. At least it's thirst quenching!) In Switzerland, we live in Crans-Montana during winter and we love La Plage for lunch. In fact, you'll see a poster of me as James Bond hanging above our usual table.
You made seven Bond films – was it difficult to give up the role?
Not really, as I was 57 with creaking knees and leading ladies who could have been my granddaughters! Of course, I missed the crews and producer "Cubby" Broccoli hugely – and my agent missed receiving my salary. Of the films I made, The Spy Who Loved Me is my favourite. Of the others, I wish I could have made Diamonds Are Forever, as it's a hugely fun film, with a terrific script by Tom Mankiewicz.
Favourite South American destination for filming. Have you been to Ian Fleming's home in Jamaica?
Although I never met Ian Fleming, I did visit his home Goldeneye when we were filming my first Bond in Jamaica, Live And Let Die. It was quite something – you can stay there and even sit at his desk nowadays. We filmed in Brazil for Moonraker, and had a particularly lovely time there, although I've also visited other South American destinations on behalf of UNICEF and have seen the other side of life, which is sometimes rather difficult.
What stays with you most about portraying 007?
I always play myself in whatever role I sign up for – The Saint, Ivanhoe, James Bond … they all look like me and they all sound like me. Playing Bond obviously had more pressure and expectation heaped on it, but equally far more excitement and fun. Sean [Connery] was a tougher Bond, as is Daniel [Craig] now – I couldn't play it like that as my Bond is a lover. He's a charmer. I'm pleased and proud to have played the role, and never shy away from it or dismiss it as being in the past. It's a very exclusive club and fewer men have played Bond than have walked on the moon.
Why do people never tire of James Bond films?
Because they always deliver. We expect beautiful women, exotic locations, gadgets, evil villains, great music … and we are never disappointed or short-changed by the producers. It's a wonderful adventure for a couple of hours, but is never repetitive or boring. It keeps you glued to the screen.
After a lifetime of travel, where do you keep heading back?
Cala di Volpe in Sardinia where we made The Spy Who Loved Me. [My fourth wife] Kristina and I also enjoy lovely breaks in the Maldives at Soneva Fushi [Resort]. New York is another favourite. St Regis is our preferred hotel, while restaurants such as Cipriani, the 21 Club and La Grenouille are on our list.
What is your most recent book about?
Last Man Standing: Tales from Tinseltown came about after I wrote my autobiography in 2008 and couldn't fit in everything I wanted to cover. I always felt I had a second volume up my sleeve and fortunately my publishers asked if I had any thoughts for another book. It evolved into a collection of tales, anecdotes and adventures in Hollywood and at Pinewood [Studios, London]. I've also just updated my Bond memoir, Bond on Bond, with more material and lovely new photos.
Favourite Seat 1A story?
Kristina and I attended the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. We were checked in for front row seats to fly back to London, but on arrival at the airport were informed our seats had to be changed for "operational reasons" and we would be in row three. They wouldn't say why. We boarded, took our seats and noticed the front two rows were empty – it seemed rather strange and a little frustrating. Just then, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge boarded, with her protection officers, and all became clear. Happily she spotted us and had a little chat, so we didn't mind not being in the front row.
Bond on Bond: The Ultimate Book on 50 Years of 007, by Roger Moore, is out now in paperback (Michael O'Mara Books and Hardie Grant).
Roger Moore knows the secret of James Bond's success
The article is blocked by a paywall subscription service so here is the copy and paste in case anyone wanted to read it.
You divide your time between Monaco and Switzerland. What are your favourite haunts in each?
Our main home is in Monaco, where we are spoiled with so many good restaurants just a short stroll away. The Café de Paris in Casino Square is not only a very central place for lunch, but one of the best in town. Michelangelo, in the port, serves the most amazing mozzarella and tomato you'll ever enjoy, and for a more expensive treat there's Joel Robuchon. I used to enjoy a drink at the Hotel de Paris' American Bar if the sun was far enough over the yardarm. Now I'm diabetic and teetotal I just have to watch others enjoying a drink. (These days it's non-alcoholic beer, which I mix with Coke Zero. At least it's thirst quenching!) In Switzerland, we live in Crans-Montana during winter and we love La Plage for lunch. In fact, you'll see a poster of me as James Bond hanging above our usual table.
You made seven Bond films – was it difficult to give up the role?
Not really, as I was 57 with creaking knees and leading ladies who could have been my granddaughters! Of course, I missed the crews and producer "Cubby" Broccoli hugely – and my agent missed receiving my salary. Of the films I made, The Spy Who Loved Me is my favourite. Of the others, I wish I could have made Diamonds Are Forever, as it's a hugely fun film, with a terrific script by Tom Mankiewicz.
Favourite South American destination for filming. Have you been to Ian Fleming's home in Jamaica?
Although I never met Ian Fleming, I did visit his home Goldeneye when we were filming my first Bond in Jamaica, Live And Let Die. It was quite something – you can stay there and even sit at his desk nowadays. We filmed in Brazil for Moonraker, and had a particularly lovely time there, although I've also visited other South American destinations on behalf of UNICEF and have seen the other side of life, which is sometimes rather difficult.
What stays with you most about portraying 007?
I always play myself in whatever role I sign up for – The Saint, Ivanhoe, James Bond … they all look like me and they all sound like me. Playing Bond obviously had more pressure and expectation heaped on it, but equally far more excitement and fun. Sean [Connery] was a tougher Bond, as is Daniel [Craig] now – I couldn't play it like that as my Bond is a lover. He's a charmer. I'm pleased and proud to have played the role, and never shy away from it or dismiss it as being in the past. It's a very exclusive club and fewer men have played Bond than have walked on the moon.
Why do people never tire of James Bond films?
Because they always deliver. We expect beautiful women, exotic locations, gadgets, evil villains, great music … and we are never disappointed or short-changed by the producers. It's a wonderful adventure for a couple of hours, but is never repetitive or boring. It keeps you glued to the screen.
After a lifetime of travel, where do you keep heading back?
Cala di Volpe in Sardinia where we made The Spy Who Loved Me. [My fourth wife] Kristina and I also enjoy lovely breaks in the Maldives at Soneva Fushi [Resort]. New York is another favourite. St Regis is our preferred hotel, while restaurants such as Cipriani, the 21 Club and La Grenouille are on our list.
What is your most recent book about?
Last Man Standing: Tales from Tinseltown came about after I wrote my autobiography in 2008 and couldn't fit in everything I wanted to cover. I always felt I had a second volume up my sleeve and fortunately my publishers asked if I had any thoughts for another book. It evolved into a collection of tales, anecdotes and adventures in Hollywood and at Pinewood [Studios, London]. I've also just updated my Bond memoir, Bond on Bond, with more material and lovely new photos.
Favourite Seat 1A story?
Kristina and I attended the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. We were checked in for front row seats to fly back to London, but on arrival at the airport were informed our seats had to be changed for "operational reasons" and we would be in row three. They wouldn't say why. We boarded, took our seats and noticed the front two rows were empty – it seemed rather strange and a little frustrating. Just then, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge boarded, with her protection officers, and all became clear. Happily she spotted us and had a little chat, so we didn't mind not being in the front row.
Bond on Bond: The Ultimate Book on 50 Years of 007, by Roger Moore, is out now in paperback (Michael O'Mara Books and Hardie Grant).
Comments
-{
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Thanks for sharing, I don't know why newspapers use these online subscriptions, we're going to find out the details of the article one way or another.
And it's a good read, he gave more away in these 8 questions than what he did during his Melbourne tour for 'My Word Is My Bond'.
Independent, one-shot comic books from the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia.
twitter.com/DrawnOutDad