Lois as Miss Moneypenny in the 1967 Bond film "You Only Live Twice"

A Personal Rememberance by Lee Pfeiffer

Lois Maxwell, the actress who initiated the role of Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond films beginning with Dr. No in 1962, has passed away at the age of 80. She had been battling cancer for the last few years and had moved from England to Australia to be with her son and his family. For millions of Bond fans worldwide, the death of one of the original key cast members came as a terrible blow. For this writer, it also is devastating news on a personal level. Throughout my years of association with the Bond franchise and Eon Productions, I have been honored to know Lois Maxwell and to call her my friend. She was a unique woman in every way: steadfast, humorous, and extremely witty. I first met Lois when I appeared on The Geraldo Rivera Show in the early 1990s to promote a Bond book I had co-authored. She was in rare form and stole the spotlight from an array of other, younger Bond girls. She later agreed to be a guest at a film convention I sponsored in New Jersey in 1993. She regaled the crowd with wonderful anecdotes and signed autographs for hours. Afterward, fellow Bond book authors Dave Worrall and Graham Rye joined me in escorting Lois around New York City where we spent a memorable afternoon showing her the sights and dining at Planet Hollywood.

In 1995, my partners John Cork and Mark Cerullli and I went to visit Lois at her home in Frome, in the British countryside near Bath. We were shooting documentaries for MGM on the making of the Bond films. Her brassy nature and disarming wit were on display throughout and the wonderful anecdotes she related are preserved forever on the DVD special editions of the films. I next saw Lois at the James Bond Jamaica Festival in 1996 where we were invited as guests. This was an extraordinary event that brought many of the prominent alumni from the series to the island where the movies were launched with Dr. No. It remains one of the most enjoyable holidays I've experienced, as I was able to relish the company of Ursula Andress, George Lazenby, Richard Kiel and so many other actors and technicians from the series. At night, Lois led everyone dancing to steel drum bands under a crisp, clear Jamaican sky. The highlight was a private party at Ian Fleming's home, Goldeneye. Here the event took on a special resonance as the actors and crew members were entertained in the home of 007's literary creator. Lois was one of the few who had come to know Fleming and told wonderful tales that seemed all the more moving because of the setting.

When Lois' favorite Bond co-star Roger Moore retired from the series in 1985, producer Cubby Broccoli personally called her to tell her that she would not be returning to star as Moneypenny opposite new Bond actor Timothy Dalton. Lois said it would have looked ridiculous for her to making "goo-goo eyes" at a much younger man but suggested to Cubby that she be allowed to play M. Cubby dismissed the idea, saying audiences wouldn't accept a female head of MI6. Lois got no end of satisfaction when Judi Dench was cast in the role of M years later - she felt her instincts had been proven correct.

I last saw Lois in January, 2002 when Dave Worrall and I were invited by Eon to attend a private party at Pinewood Studios to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Bond film franchise. The room was packed with alumni from the series, from actors to technicians. Cubby's widow Dana Broccoli presided over the festivities along with Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson and Pierce Brosnan, who was about to start filming Die Another Day. It was a truly wonderful affair capped off by the dedication of a plaque to Cubby Broccoli. We had a drink with Lois at the historic Pinewood bar where so many screen legends had socialized. We both realized this event was a bittersweet occasion. Lois lamented the loss of so many of her colleagues from the series and said, "Soon we'll all be gone, Lee". True enough, since that wonderful day a number of other prominent Bond veterans have passed away including Dana Broccoli. Like Lois, she was one of those women you came to believe was immortal. Now Lois is gone, too. For millions of 007 fans, however her work will live on and for those of us who considered her a friend, she'll always be our Number One Bond Girl. Rest in peace, Miss Moneypenny. (For additional details click here)

PERSONAL PHOTOS OF LOIS MAXWELL

In New York for the 1993 Spy-Fi Convention, Lois dines with (l to r): Ron Plesniarski of Spy Guise Inc, Denise Plesniarski, Graham Rye, Dave Worrall, Janet Pfeiffer and Lee Pfeiffer

Lee Pfeiffer and Graham Rye with Lois on the ferry from Weehawken, New Jersey to midtown Manhattan, 1993.

The 2002 Eon celebration at Pinewood. L to r: Caroline Munro, Carole Ashby, Richard Kiel, Shirley Eaton, Michael G. Wilson, Dana Broccoli, Lois Maxwell, Colin Salmon, Sir Ken Adam and Eunice Gayson. (Photo copyright Laurent Perriot)

World exclusive: First on set report from new Hammer film!

Our mysterious Phantom Reporter brings you details of the first Hammer horror production since 1976.

Recently it was announced that Hammer films (bought by a private group of investors led by Dutch billionaire John de Mol) was going into production again. This news has been heard several times over the years, leading fans to become more than a little skeptical. However, this time it really seemed to be true. Still slightly incredulous, Cinema Retro visited the set mid-shoot just to make sure…

Beyond the Rave is the title of the new film, an obvious play on words, and it concerns a young soldier about to be sent to Iraq who falls into the wrong sort of crowd. Very wrong. Vampires in fact, who like to hold illegal raves (that’s parties with terrible music to you and me) and feed off the drugged-up guests. It appears to be a loose updating of Dracula: 1972 AD.

The cast is mostly made up of actors who do have links to horror: Sadie Frost (Bram Stoker’s Dracula), Leslie Simpson (Dog Soldiers and The Descent), Nora-Jane Noone (also The Descent), Neil Newbon (er, TV medical soap Casualty), Lois Winstone (daughter of the legendary Ray Winstone) and Jake Maskall (Eastenders, which is horrible, if not horror as such). Also cast in a “small but significant role”, to quote the press release, is Ingrid Pitt who at least provides a tangible link to the old Hammer. Christopher Lee is conspicuous by his absence. The director is Matthias Hoene, best known for his music videos and adverts.

Among the cast members is Lois Winstone, daughter of Ray Winstone who will be appearing in the new Indiana Jones film.

Cinema Retro found itself in a disused Victorian warehouse in Plumstead where one of these illegal raves was taking place. Although the original press release stated the film was being shot in 35mm they were only using High Definition cameras which was perhaps to be expected. The music was proved by Pete Tong, a well known British DJ, and the drugs were fortunately only props. The atmosphere on set was quite relaxed with most of the leg work being done by the Assistant Director, Hoene spending most of his time behind monitors or with the principal actors.

To complete the party atmosphere a fire breather had been brought in from a local circus, and Cinema Retro managed to somehow stand right next to him for most the action. It was hot but quite exciting. Amongst the dancing extras were many Hammer fans who wanted to be involved in the first Hammer horror film since To The Devil a Daughter in 1976. Sadly none of them were wearing Hammer t-shirts, which would have been a nice touch.

The climax of the evening involved the vampires donning gas masks and poisoning everyone on the room whilst death metal band Chrome Hoof performed on stage. Much to everyone’s disappointment the band had gas masks too. On cue all the extras choked and collapsed slowly to the floor, Cinema Retro included. Unfortunately two sweaty ravers landed on top of me ruining any chance of a decent close up.

The film is to be released in downloadable sections for mobile phones, iPods and the internet, hopefully with a DVD release to follow. With a purported production budget of only £200,000 it is unlikely to find a theatrical release, but if successful could pave the way for bigger Hammer productions to come. Maybe even that remake of The Devil Rides Out Christopher Lee has been desperate to make for the last ten years.

In an exclusive interview with the Washington Post, Clint Eastwood discusses his next film, The Changeling starring Angelina Jolie as a woman in the center of a kidnapping drama. He also theorizes on the prospects of adapting astronaut Neil Armstrong's autobiography for the big screen and discusses his involvement in perpetuating public interest in jazz music. As usual, Hollywood's elder statesman/director is low-key and self-deprecating in his sense of humor. To read the article click here.

Here's a bit of Clint Eastwood trivia: did you know that Frank Sinatra had originally signed to play Dirty Harry? We have a rare original trade advertisement for the Chairman of the Board as the tough cop featured in our Dirty Harry 10 page tribute in Cinema Retro issue #9.

ORIGINAL U.S LOBBY CARD FOR "DIRTY HARRY"

The long-running Little Shoppe of Horrors, which is dedicated solely to Hammer horror films, is but one of the periodicals covered on www.moviemags.com

One of our favorite web sites is www.moviemags.com which offers a fascinating look into the world of film-related periodicals. As we enter our fourth years of publication, Cinema Retro is swimming against the tide in publishing a print magazine in the age of the Internet. The graveyard of failed film magazines is amply illustrated by Movie Mags' R.I.P. section that lists some of the most prestigious movie publications of all time that have since ceased publication. However, the site also offers encouragement by listing and reviewing the latest issue of obscure film magazines from around the world. The site provides quite a unique service to fans who still value the ability to hold and read the printed word in magazine format. Generally speaking whenever a movie magazine folds, many people say "Wow, that's too bad - I loved that magazine!" Yet, if you ask if they supported it by subscribing, most will say "Er, no, I didn't." As we've said many times, the cost of subscribing to any film magazine for a year is less than it costs for two people to attend one two-hour movie. Hopefully a visit to www.moviemags.com will motivate the stragglers to keep the great tradition of movie magazines alive and thriving. To visit the site click here

Kim Novak in the 1956 film "Picnic".

She was one of the sexiest stars to emerge from Hollywood in the 1950s. Her films include such classics as Picnic and Vertigo. Yet, after a relatively short career beset by personal crisis and tragedies, she went into self-imposed exile. Kim Novak has not made a film since 1991 and is apparently living the good life with her husband on an Oregon ranch. Her long-planned autobiography literally went up in smoke years ago when the manuscript was lost in a house fire. Thus, we will not be able to read her personal anecdotes about working with some of the industry's most legendary stars and directors. However, she has not ruled out returning to the silver screen. Variety columnist Army Archerd recently caught up with her. Click here for the story.

Original Japanese ad for Boys Night Out

McQueen on the set of The Great Escape: an iconic screen image

The Motorcycle Industry Association has voted Steve McQueen as the top biker of all time - a tribute to his star-making turn in the 1963 film The Great Escape. McQueen did most of his own stunt riding in the film, including doubling as a German soldier who was pursuing him. Ironically, the stunt that everyone remembers - his daring leap over a barbed wire barricade was actually performed by stunt rider Bud Ekins. McQueen probably could have done the stunt, but insurance concerns precluded him from trying. The persons bikers would most want to have as a passenger were Angelina Jolie and Daniel Craig. The least desirable tag-alongs? Victoria Beckham and Prime Minister Gordon Brown...also quite  understandable. The only ride more nightmarish would be to imagine the new P.M. giving a lift to Ms. Beckham!  (For a deleted scene from The Great Escape, see our Unseen Scenes column) To read the full story click here