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Sir Roger answers your questions November2005

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Sir Roger Moore has added his voice to the international appeal for aid to help the people of Asia. Sir Roger says people should not forget the plight of tsunami victims.
Purchase gifts here and help UNICEF at the same time! Also you may get involved with UNICEF by joining or get alerts, or maybe visiting UNICEF in your country. Here

 

Dear Sir Roger

I recently read that your co-star Geoffrey Keen had sadly passed away this month.

What was it like to work with Geoffrey and did you ever have a laugh with him whilst working on the bond films?

Regards Jamie

Yes Jamie I was very saddened to hear the news. Like Robert Brown, Geoffrey was a stalwart of the British film industry appearing in scores of films, and our paths crossed many times over the years in the Saint, The Persuaders!, and not least in the five Bond films we worked on together.

He had a great sense of humour and I remember him telling me once that he had a plumber in at his London flat - it was at the time when Sir Ralph Richardson and a couple of other distinguished actors had just died. The plumber saw Geoffrey's various trinkets and pictures and asked "Are you an actor then guv?"

"Yes, I am" he replied.

There was a pause.

"You ought to be careful, they're dropping like flies at the moment".

Dear Sir Roger,

You often say that you are a coward; do you know that according to the Chinese lunar calendar you were actually born in the Year of the Rabbit? The Chinese Horoscope says that people born in the year of the Rabbit are the luckiest of all twelve signs! They are gifted, refined, virtuous and diplomatic and choose to go through life in a state of equilibrium. They are calm, discreet and domesticated. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit cannot stand any form of confusion or disorder. Rabbits are able to dress and decorate with taste. They are supremely pleasant to have around; these affectionate, naturally shy peacemakers seldom ever lose their temper. Rabbits always inspire deep admiration and trust.

Well, what do you think about these descriptions, Sir? You hate explosion and always blink when you firing a gun in a movie scene, now you should know why. My question is: do you really believe in Horoscopes? Looking back at your 78 years life experience and 60 years film career, despite some up and downs, I think you have certainly lived up to your image.

Warm regards, Hong

 

Well Hong, I won't say I believe in horoscopes per se (certainly not the sort you see in the daily newspapers), though I do think there is some truth in them, or at least you can identify with some elements.

As for being gifted, refined and virtuous ... you missed off modest! I don't like disorder, confusion, confrontation or anything like that. I like a quiet life. So in that respect, I guess I do fit the year of the rabbit well.

 

Hello Sir Roger

There are 2 ways that script writers can approach the writing of screenplays. Firstly, there's the "original" screenplay, in which the scripter(s) make up their story from scratch and create a new plot-line purely for the film in question. Secondly, there's the "adapted" screenplay, in which the script-writer(s) start from a novel already published and produce a screenplay based upon it. It seems to me, Sir Roger, that you have made a heck of a lot of films which were adapted from existing books (e.g. all your 007 films from Ian Fleming novels; Gold and Shout At The Devil from Wilbur Smith novels; The Naked Face from a Sidney Sheldon novel; The Wild Geese from a Daniel Carney novel; Crossplot from a Leign Vance novel; The Enemy from a Desmond Bagley novel... to name but a few). So, my question is:- do you read the actual novels to get "into" the characters? Or do you merely read the screenplay (and have discussions with the director) and try to figure out the best way to play the role purely from what is stated in the script? I ask this because when Timothy Dalton assumed the Bond role from you, he read all the 007 books to prepare himself for the part.... and I just wondered if that kind of approach works for you too.
Jonathon.

An interesting question Jonathan. Sometimes reading a novel on which a script is based isn't a good idea, as the script can be so different and the character's change that you end up confusing things; and the visual interpretation is very much the director's vision, and so yes I will talk with him about that.

I have, conversely, found it helpful to read a novel to gain more of a

background about fairly complex characters - not least James Bond.

Occassionally I read and novel and suggest it would make a good film. Crossplot and The Naked Face being two examples. I've also optioned scripts and books in the past too, though for one reason or another they haven't got off the ground as films.

So in answer, yes on occassion I have read novels, and on other occassions when the script is pretty well rounded and detailed in character I haven't.

Dear Sir Roger,

I am huge fan and admirer of your good work both on and off screen.

Though I rate your roles in The Man Who Haunted Himself and Ffolkes very highly, in my opinion, Shout At The Devil is among your peak performances (and quite underrated, as is the film itself).

It's also a project in which you had the opportunity to work with the legendary Lee Marvin, of whom I am also a great fan.

What were your experiences in making the film and what tales can be told in your collaborations with Mr. Marvin-- in particular the humorous over-the-top sequence of protracted fisticuffs in which the two of you were engaged?

Thank you for your time and attention Sir Roger. It has been a honor and a pleasure.

Dan

Well Dan, that was a terrific film to make and I think one of Peter Hunt's best as a director. We had a lot of fun, as well as a few hair raising experiences. In the scene where all of the German battleship parts are being pulled up a hill, we filmed a sequence where we try to sabotage it all. Peter explained that these huge wheels would come flying down the hill but that he wanted me to stay in position until the last possible moment to make it all look very real ... and that he'd be there next to the camera with me.

I wasn't so sure, but said ok ... as the wheels started bouncng down towards me I turned to the camera and Peter to find them hundreds of yards away! I ran like the wind.

Lee Marvin was a wonderful character. We both shared a fondness for a drop of Jack Daniels, though admittedly him moreso than I. I had bottles flown in from Johannesburg.

The fist fight was one of the most fun things to film. We really let rip. Peter Hunt edited it brilliantly and it is the highlight of the movie. I'm pleased you enjoyed it!

 

Hello Roger,

I listen to Terry Wogan's breakfast programme o BBC radio 2 most mornings on the way to work. If you were not aware he does mention you quite regulary especially recently with a new Bond Daniel Craig taking over. He obviously is still making references to your interview on the Wogan show in 1985 when A View To A Kill was in the cinema! I think he is continuing the wait for the call up to play Bond! My question is have you seen him since, and has he forgiven you for your statement about his ears!!

Thanks for your time Rob in the UK

John Glen

.

Hello Rob in the UK. Yes indeed Terry does give me the odd plug, for which a brown envelope gets slipped under his door when I pass. I actually appeared on one of the last editions of his Wogan chat show in, I think, about 1993 and again about two years ago on Channel 5 promoting the TOGS Children In Need Calendar, on the Terry And Gaby show. He's good fun to chat with, and often reminds me of how Cubby told him his ears were too big for him to get the part. He's done ok for himself though.

Dear Sir Roger

The November issue of the motoring magazine looks at the style of 'The Persuaders' To quote the article

"The sadnes sis that someone has not thought to revive the Roger Moore brand for the 21st century - his Cote d'Azur-meets-country-house style is very very now"

My question is - would the recreation of a new range of clothing be something you would encourage or become involved with, possibly with a proportion of any proceeds going to Unicef?

best wishes Peter Mulholland

Is this the same magazine, Peter, that says all the Persuaders location shots were filmed in Snowdonia?! I read that. They are wrong!

Anyhow, as regards clothes, I leave that to my tailor Doug Hayward nowadays and doubt he'd be too happy if I launched out with my own label. However it was fun and I'm pleased it's all come back in to fashion. They say if you wait long enough it will. I'm therefore hanging on to that safari suit.

Thank you to Sir Roger Moore

 

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