CommanderBond.net

http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/moneype...5685616779.html

Moneypenny falls for 'dangerous' new Bond
David Cohen
December 12, 2006

JAMES Bond's longest-serving and most loyal woman still thinks he's wonderful.
Lois Maxwell, the actor who played Miss Moneypenny in 14 Bond films from 1962 to 1985, said the new movie, Casino Royale, was "fabulous".
The 79-year-old, who lives in Perth, said Daniel Craig's first outing as the suave British super-spy would ensure that Bond films remained a favourite. "He is very interesting," she said. "His face is extraordinary on the screen, and goes from being very attractive to being highly unattractive." The change has nothing to do with the injuries Bond sustains during the 144-minute epic: it's because of the danger he portrays in his character.
"He looks dangerous," Maxwell said. "He has a very good voice and, like my late husband, a very chewable lower lip."
Not all of Casino Royale met with the former Miss Moneypenny's approval. The music is very loud, and it was impossible to make out song lyrics.
"And I thought the opening sequence, with the swimming girls and the cars, was way too long: it was kind of boring," the Canadian-born Maxwell said. Much better was the "unbelievable" work by stuntmen and women.
"I don't know if anyone died on Casino Royale," Maxwell said. "Bond films have had a couple of deaths in the past — a cameraman was desperately wounded when his legs were taken off by a helicopter's blades in You Only Live Twice."
Sean Connery was Bond in that film, and he remains Maxwell's favourite.
There is no sign of Miss Moneypenny in Casino Royale, but the woman who played her for 23 years is not fussed.
"In this film they add the Moneypenny part onto Judi Dench's role, which is all right because she's such a lovely actress," said Maxwell. "But it wasn't really convincing. If they can't have me, why should they have anyone?"
The Bond legacy is in safe hands with Craig, although Maxwell believes the film franchise will always be a winner.
"I think they'll be as popular as ever," she said.
"Every man wants to be Bond, and every woman wants to be like the women in the films.
"But in Casino Royale, I did like how there's more of a story, the women have more dialogue, and Bond isn't jumping into bed all the time."
Maxwell, who has lived in Perth for five years, is writing her autobiography. As well as being a movie star she was a columnist on a Canadian newspaper for 16 years.
Sony Pictures said Casino Royale made $1,427,000 on the film's opening day last week, making it the biggest opening of a Bond movie in Australia.
The previous best Bond opening day box office was Tomorrow Never Dies, which made $1,177,000 in 1994.

Now on the CBn main page...

Casino Royale Meets With Lois Maxwell's Approval

[sub]'But in Casino Royale, I did like how there's more of a story...'[/sub]

Always nice to hear from Ms. Maxwell. "a very chewable lower lip." you go girl.

"And I thought the opening sequence, with the swimming girls and the cars, was way too long: it was kind of boring." I don't mean to sound rude, but what is she talking about?

This post has been edited by tapalapadapa: 11 December 2006 - 17:11

She's probably referring to the early parts where Bond is in the Bahamas, just was a bit off about "opening sequence".

"And I thought the opening sequence, with the swimming girls and the cars, was way too long" ?? shes going loopy in her old age. was she sure she was in the right movie , because the last time i watched CR the opening sequence involved, a man with a gun killing two baddies in Black and White"

Maybe she meant early on in the movie???

Even if she did mean early in the movie, there is one short scene with Valenka in the water, and as for the cars - does she mean tankers?

*shrugs*

Nice to hear from Lois, but I too am a bit fuddled about her alternate opening sequence!

Her AND the writer seem to have their facts wrong. TND opened in 1997, not 1994.

What in the world is she talking about... the opening sequence with cars and swimming girls? Is she going senile?

ah bless her cotton socks lol. , no wonder she finished after AVTAK.

Topics merged.

Always good to hear from past series stalwarts.

I think she means Valenka swimming, and the first chase scene (which is early on in the movie).