Sir Roger answers your questions November 2008

You can ask Sir Roger Moore a question this month HERE !

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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 M. Moore!

I hope you are very well.
I would like to tell you I was a part of the audience of the french TV-show "Vivement Dimanche" from Michel Drucker, that you have recorded in the end of october.
First, I would like to thank you for all these unforgettable moments; to see the "real" Roger Moore will remain a great memory, probably for the rest of my life. Thank you so much.

Concerning this show, I would like to ask what was/is the best memory for you? To see Michael Lonsdale again for the first time since "Moonraker" ? To hear Petula Clark performing her great hit "down town"? or was it the whole show?

Thank you!

Best wishes from one of your great fans, now & forever

PIERRE H.  

 

 

Dear Pierre

The Michel Drucker show was quite special. I knew I was doing it, but never quite appreciated just howwonderful it would be, and how centred on me it would be - and to meet so many old friends was terrific. I haven't seen Michel Lonsdale in years, and it was good to catch up. You know, the first time I met Petula was a few years ago at Dorotrhy Squire's house ... she was but a slip of a girl ... and Charles Coburn took quite a shine to her, and I remember him singing 'It's a long long way from May to December' to her.

The whole show, to answer your question, was a wonderful memory.

 

 

Sir Roger,

I just received your book yesterday, am at Chapter 4 and enjoying it very much.

I have noticed that some of your contemporaries have also come out with their autobiographies this year. I was wondering if you have had the chance to read any of them?

One of the others I have read is that by Robert Wagner. Watching you on a recent television interview when asked about David Niven, it was so obvious that Niven meant a lot to you. Reading RJ's autobiography, he referred to David Niven as a very special person and friend. It seems like David Niven took younger actors like yourself and RJ under his wings and was a mentor. I remember my parents taking me to the movies to see The Guns of Navarone. Although that movie had an all star cast, it is David Niven's performace that I seem to remember standing out some 47 years later. What characteristics made David Niven such a special friend to be looked up to by younger actors such as you and RJ?

By the way, I believe that some producers are missing out by not teaming you and Robert Wagner up like was done with Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathau. You and RJ would make a great team in a movie with your comedic talents and debonair reputations.

 

I read RJ's book too, and thought it was terrific. He like I loved Niv ... and he, like I, destested Hjordis.

Niv was such a wonderfully kind, generous and helpful man - he'd do anything to help anyone. He had a wonderful sense of humour and remained very grounded. This, and him being a great friend, made him a very special human being. And you must remember I grew up watching him in movies as a child - he was a hero of mine. So to become friends with him later in life was a very, very special thing for me.

I miss him.

Dear Sir Roger, this year have been great for the African descent people, with Barack Obama, first president black in the history of USA, Lewis Hamilton, first black champion of F1, besides success of Tiger Woods in the golf. In the world of cinema, at this moment I remember names like Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Cuba Gooding Jr, etc. I know that you admirer to Nelson Mandela and shared with Harry Belafonte, actor, activist and goodwill ambassador of UNICEF. In any opportunity you said that Cuba Gooding Jr could be player to James Bond. Do you think that there still racism and discrimination in the entertainment industry? In your work did you felt any kind discrimination against colleagues for their color? By the way, Did you ever been met with Sidney Poitier, one of the great actors in the history? Thanks a lot. Hasta pronto,      

Dixon Moya
Bogotá, Colombia.

 

Hi Dixon

Sadly I think there is still a great deal of discrimination in the world and ergo in the entertainment industry too - though, thankfully, not as much as there used to be.

I did feel it actually on my first Bond film when the lovely Gloria Hendry was cast. She was, of course, the first black woman to be bedded by Bond. There was unease within United Artists and I know there was a little negative press about it. But we just got on with making our film and took no notice and I think that was the important thing- we showed it wasn't an issue.

I have met Sidney, yes. A great actor!

 

Dear Sir Roger,

Thank you very much for the opportunity of getting to see you in Sydney. It was a tremendous honor as i have been a fan of yours since my early childhood, watching both Bond Films as well as the saint. I was also deeply moved my your speech about UNICEF and Audrey Hepburn. It was also a privilege to shake your hand and have a quick photo with you. I shall truly treasure it.
My question for November is:
As every James Bond character you had to do the iconic gun barrel sequence, but as I've observed you're the only actor to have done it with holding the gun with two hands while firing at the audience :o)  Also I've noticed there were two different versions of the sequence done, probably due to the different format. With holding the gun with two hands was is something the producers suggested you do, or was it your own concept. By the way, I've always thought that not only your Bond films are the best, but also your rendition of the gun barrel sequence.
All the best to you and your family,

Best regards,

Gregory

 

Hi Gregory

 

I know I had to film the sequence again for SPY due to the framing of the film - widescreen format etc. I don't think I was concious then, or even now, of filming it by holding the gun in two different ways. It wouldn't have been the producers, but it could have been Maurice Binder who suggested it as he directed all the title sequences.

 

 

My question is:

What are your most and least favourite styles of music? For example, are you an avid fan of somebody, or perhaps something (or even someone!) moves you towards some sort of distraction?! Like when you were trying to relax while filming A View To A Kill! Do you regularily listen to music?

I think you get the jist!

I really am very interested in finding out. Thank you for your time.

Best Wishes

John.

P.S. Would you ever consider attending a Paul McCartney concert?

 

Hi John

 

I love chamber music, classical music and more modern easy listening stuff too - like Mammas and the Pappas, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett. Though I cannot abide heavy metal, as Grace Jones will testify.

I like Paul McCartney very much too, after all he did perform the song for my first Bond film ... and if he did a concert for UNICEF I'd surely go.

 

Hi Sir Roger,
           May I start by saying how much I'm looking forward to the release of your book!

Now onto my question:- a while ago I saw your enjoyable TV movie The Man Who Wouldn't Die, starring yourself, Nancy Allen and Malcolm McDowell. I thought it was a good little film and it's a shame it isn't as well-known as it probably deserves to be.

Of course, you also starred in the TV movie Sherlock Holmes In New York. That too was a terrific film (and about a year ago you were kind enough to answer a question of mine regarding that film).

I was wondering what you have found to be the main differences between making cinematic films and TV movies, and of the two which do you prefer being involved in (if any)?

Warmest regards,
Jonathon Dabell, Wakefield, England.
.

Hi Jonathan

Thank you. Hope you enjoy the book.

Usually feature films pay more!

 

I love both TV and film - TV tends to be shot quicker, with smaller budgets, so maybe a 6 week schedule whereas feature might take, say, 8 weeks. You have to move faster in TV! Some stories work better onTV and I love a good TV drama or made-for-TV-film. As for which I'd rather do - the one which pays the most, and has the shortest schedule!! 

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