It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, but it is only now, more than 20 years later, that these two likely lads from the though streets of South London have managed to get their act together.

Last week, as they filmed scenes for their first movie double act, Britain's biggest box office stars recalled that fateful meeting. "I didn't fulfil his promise for a few years after that, but I suppose I've managed it now," says Michael, in his best deadpan My-Name-Is-Michael-Caine voice. Roger smiles and says: "I figured one day he would be successful and could give me a job. It is the oldest trick in the book - be nice to people on the way up because they can be nice to you later on." Not that Roger needed the favour. As Michael went on to make 68 films, including block-busters as spy Harry Palmer, Moore was making his millions as James Bond.

Confusion

Now they are planning to score together in "Bullseye", a £9 million comedy thriller written by friend Leslie Bricusse and produced by even older friend, Michael Winner. Moore and Caine play atom scientists trying to sell off state secrets. But the scheme is threatened by conmen Gerald and Sidney - also played by Moore and Caine.

The two stars were so baffled by the role changes, they at first forgot which parts they were playing. But being true pros, they got on with the job.

"Nedless to say, I'm the Cockney and he's the well dressed one," says Michael. "We've got different styles but it is like ping pong, - we bounce off each other. "With some actors you bang the ball over and it doesn't come back. But with me and Rog it goes backwards and forwards fast". The banter continues off camera. "There's a bit too much of it sometimes", says Michael Winner with a smile. "I'm known for my even temper but just occasionally, I have to remind, particularly, not to use so many four letter words in his ad-libbing."

Accents and origins

"You're lucky to have me", says Roger. "His bark is worse than his bite. But don't let anyone know that."Caine says: "If Mr. Winner starts screaming and shouting, then Roger and I start shouting as well. with all of us hollering, the crew are laughting too much to be frightened."

Their screen images may be different, but Caine and Moore have the same roots - the first as the son of a Billingsgate fish porter, the second as the son of a policeman. Caine claims Roger lost his Cockney accent only through timing. "He went to RADA when you had to have a posh accent. When I came on the scene five or six years later, kitchen sink dramas were all the rage and the snobbery has gone."

Ouch!

Michael Caine must have thought it was the end of a glittering career... he was told that the strongest man in the world was to throw a caber at him. Luckily for Michael, the caber hurled by Icelandic hulk Jon Pall Sigmarsson and the one that landed on his foot were very different. Movie trickery meant that Michael called out in fake pain when the chunk of balsa wood landed on his left foot. But his old mate, Roger Moore, still couldn't bear to look!

The movie superstars were larking about in the grounds of Inveraray Castle, Argyll, where Highland Games were staged for the film, and Michael and Roger were dressed in kilts. Not a lot od people know what Michael Caine wears under his kilt... but we do. The 56-year-old film star grinned when he told us that he'd decided against dressing like a true Scot.

Ridiculous "In my case, it's underpants - thick ones - that are under the kilt. I like the kilt - I wore one for the first time when I played Alan Breck in "Kidnapped" - but it's a bit draughty", said Michael. Former James Bond, Roger Moore, who was back in Scotland for the first time since 007 romp, "The Spy Who Loved Me", joked about his reluctance to wear the kilt as traditional demands. Michael and Roger trip the light fantastic with the Cameron and Cairns Dancers.

"I'm English under my kilt. I've got the Union Jack down there", said the 59-year-old star, who last dressed in Highland regalia for the golden oldie ITV series, "The Persuaders". "Englismen only never put on the kilt as a disguise or to get a laugh, because we look ridiculous in it".

Nasty side

Unfortunately, there was a nasty side to Roger's daughter Debbie's first visit to Scotland. while shopping in Glasgow, she was the victim of a pick-pocket. "I lost all my credit cards and about £60. It hasn't put me off Scotland, though, because everyone else has been so nice." The duo might be getting older, but fans find them as sexy as ever. "While Michael and I were getting old, the rest of the world was going blind", says Moore. Having both bedded - on screen - some of the most beautiful actresses, Caine and Moore's film together is a sexless affair, to the disappointment of co-star Sally Kirkland.

"They're both so sexy I can't believe it", she says. "They seem to get more gorgeous as they get older. I wish they would write in a few romantic scenes."

So far too good

As far as Roger is concerned, the lack of sex is just as well because 25-year-old daughter Deborah also stars in the film. (...) During a week of hectic filming, there hasn't been one cross word between the two stars. "We haven't had any disagreements; we know each other too well." But what, if in the next two months, tempers fray?"It could be the end of a beautiful friendship", warns roger. Somehow, we don't think so!