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When Roger Moore first
appeared in his opening 007 adventure "Live
And Let Die", Madeline
Smith as saucy Italian agent Miss
Caruso was the first actress to bed the new James
Bond...
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Madeline Smith Interview
26th April 2003
When Roger Moore first appeared
in his opening 007 adventure "Live
And Let Die", Madeline
Smith as
saucy Italian agent Miss Caruso was
the first actress to bed the new James Bond.
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You were a new Bond girl in 1973 and had a new Bond
also, Roger Moore. Can you tell us what it was like working
with him?
Well it was a delightful experience being Roger's first
Bond girl, we had worked together before in "The Persuaders" so
we’re quite familiar with each other. Lovely, he suggested
me for the part, it was a coming together again with a familiar
person an a hugely enjoyable experience.
You had that infamous scene with the dress and Bond's
magnetic watch. Did it all go as smoothly as it appears
to on screen?
Well because the famous blue dress was made out of
terribly thick material, the zip which was meant to unzip
in a flash with the magnetic watch and didn’t, it
bucked!
A very famous man named Derek Meddings who was a special
effects guy was lying at my feet pulling on a string that
went to the zip; there were a lot of hilarious moments then.
Somebody was pulling on the dress somebody was pulling on
the other end of the zip, in the end it worked fairly seamlessly. |
What I think
was funny about that was Roger's then lovely wife Louisa was
sitting at the bottom of the bed watching us shoot the scene.
Very Italian,
very possessive, very loving. She was not having any fun!
I think he was wearing nice boxer shorts so it was all very modest
and
above board, very English!
He is delightful, a very humorous man and hard working, every
time we were doing a scene he would nip off to learn a fight
that he was shooting on a train at a later date. Very committed
and very serious. Humorous but serious.
How did you land your role as Madeline Smith as
Miss Caruso?
I had to audition for the role.
When you got to see the film for the first time how
did you feel about seeing yourself on the big screen?
I hid under the seat immediately!
What are your most cherished memories from the Bond
productions?
Hearing that wonderful Paul McCartney music. Someone said listen to this bloody
marvelous music, so we sat there in rapture. If I hear that music now my heart
leaps because I think its such marvelous music. That was the best moment. |
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How did your image as a "Bond Girl" affect your
career post 1973?
Interestingly enough in those days, all that time ago, it was
not considered such a huge thing to do, it could actually ruin
you
career because they would type cast you forever. Some time people
were not always happy to accept the part, and that’s actually
true. Now it’s a huge career enhancer, it was not a minus
or plus in those days, it was delightful to have done. I didn’t
get any publicity from it at all at the time which is interesting,
now it’s actually paying off, you have to remember that
it was 1973.
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You are just as famous for being a "Hammer Horrors" leading
lady, can you talk us through your most memorable experience
while making horror films?
Well I was in three "Hammer"s and I did one called "Theatre of
Blood", it was a smashing experience. "The Theatre of Blood" was
my favourite of all time, working with all those famous actors. It was such an
amazing line up; I think I must have fallen in love with all those gentlemen.
Jeff Hawkings the chief among us, and I was working once again with Arthur Lowe
who I had worked with on TV and in commercials. So a revisiting of my friendship
with Arthur Lowe, and most special of all was watching Vincent Price and Coral
Browne falling in love. Because that’s where they fell in love, and from
that they got married and where from that day I’m happy to say were happy
ever after. That was 1972 and it was magic to see two olden’s falling in
love at that stage of there life, the most wonderful people. |
00-Seven Questions
How were you involved in the Bond series?
I played Miss Caruso in "Live And Let Die"
What was your first ever Bond experience?
Watching Sean Connery as Bond he was superb. I saw him
play golf as ever when I was making a film with Aver
Gardner in 1969 and he came visiting.
What did you think of the last film, "Die Another
Day"?
I have not seen it, but I saw Pierce in "GoldenEye" and
thought he was excellent.
What is your favourite Bond film?
My film, but I think it’s a bloody good film. It’s
got a lot of humour, excitement, black comedy, which
I love, smashing locations, great cars. Mine!
Who is your favourite Bond?
Roger and Sean!
What is your favourite Bond moment from the series?
I think the line “that’s your funeral” that
moment at the beginning in New Orleans.
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Thanks to Madeline Smith.
Related Articles
 Miss
Caruso (Madeline Smith) - Bond Girls
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