Molly Peters, who began her career as a nude "glamour girl" model before starting a short-lived film career, has passed away at age 78. She had been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer according to her husband but it was a stroke to which she succumbed. Peters' voluptuous appearance made her one of the more popular of the provocative models who posed for men's magazines in the 1960s. She posed for England's legendary photographer of nudes, Harrison Marks. She landed the only memorable role of her career in the 1965 James Bond blockbuster "Thunderball". In the film, Bond (Sean Connery) was sent to the Shrublands health spa to recuperate from some wear-and-tear. Here he encounters nurse Pat (Peters), a sexy blonde who conveniently is assigned to look after Bond's needs. Within short order Bond has her naked in a steam room. In another scene, Bond memorably massages the nude Pat with a mink glove. At the health spa, Bond discovers some nefarious activities going on by Spectre agents that finds Pat bewildered by Bond's strange comings and goings. Peters' scenes were brief but among the film's most memorable including a scene in which she straps Bond to a therapeutic stretching machine that a Spectre agent uses to almost deadly effect on 007. Following "Thunderball", Peters made the little-seen thriller "Target for Killing" co-starring "Thunderball" villain Adolfo Celi and future Bond baddies Karin Dor and Curt Jurgens. In 1968 she made her last credited film, "Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River" with Jerry Lewis. In 1995 this writer along with Cinema Retro co-publisher Dave Worrall along with Mark Cerulli and John Cork, tracked Ms.Peters down. She participated in an extensive on-camera interview recalling her experiences for the "Thunderball" special edition laser disc. The interview is now available on both the Blu-ray and DVD editions of the movie.
Cinema Retro has received the following press release:
CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF SIR ROGER MOORE WITH
TWO JAMES BOND CLASSICS, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME AND FOR
YOUR EYES ONLY,
AS THEY RETURN TO CINEMAS WORLDWIDE
WITH PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT UNICEF
London, UK – May 26, 2017 – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Studios (MGM), Park Circus and EON Productions are pleased to announce a series
of special screenings in memory of Sir Roger Moore, to take place at cinemas
across the world including: Odeon Cinemas (UK), AMC Theatres (U.S.) and Hoyts (Australia),
beginning 31 May 2017. Additional locations to be announced soon.
The newly restored 4K versions of The Spy Who Loved
Me and For Your Eyes Only will be screened with 50 percent of
all proceeds benefitting UNICEF. As a Goodwill Ambassador, Sir
Roger had been a dedicated and passionate supporter of UNICEF since 1991.
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions,
long-standing producers of the James Bond films said “In honour of Sir Roger
Moore, we are delighted these Bond screenings will benefit UNICEF which was the
charity closest to his heart.â€
Gary Barber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MGM
added “Sir Roger Moore left an indelible imprint on audiences worldwide. There
is no better way to remember Roger’s legacy than bringing back his iconic
performances as James Bond to cinemas across the world while aiding UNICEF, the
charity he steadfastly supported.â€
Nick Varley, CEO of distributor Park Circus said “Park
Circus is extremely privileged to be MGM’s library distributor and we are
delighted to have the chance to celebrate the life and work of Sir Roger Moore
through these screenings, and most particularly as it benefits UNICEF, an
organization very close to Sir Roger.â€
We would also like to thank Deluxe Technicolor Digital
Cinema for kindly facilitating the delivery of this project to cinemas for us.
Details of screenings can be found at www.parkcircus.com and
at participating cinemas websites.
Sir Roger Moore, the iconic British actor who swept to fame playing The Saint and James Bond, has passed away from cancer at age 89. Moore grew up in a middle class lifestyle in Lambeth during WW2 and was among the children evacuated from the city during the Blitz. He had planned a career as a cartoonist but his good looks and charismatic personality drew him first to modeling and then studying acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He found success early in his career and was placed for a time under contract with MGM in Hollywood. However stardom didn't follow immediately. Moore mostly appeared in soap opera stories opposite big stars but none of the films were very successful and was dismissed as just another pretty face. In the 1956 period costume drama "Diane", he was Lana Turner's leading man- but the film was a dud and one critic described Moore as "a lump of English roast beef", something he would joke about through the rest of his life. Moore left MGM and starred in "The Alaskans" TV series and was brought in to star in "Maverick", appearing in 16 episodes over a three year period. That lead to his starring as Simon Templar, the world class adventurer in the TV series "The Saint". The show ran for seven seasons and was a major international hit. Following that he also starred with Tony Curtis in the popular TV series "The Persuaders". When that show left the air Moore was hired to star as the third actor to play James Bond, following in the footsteps of Sean Connery and George Lazenby. Moore's first Bond film "Live and Let Die" in 1973 was an important one for the franchise. Had audiences not responded well to his interpretation of 007, the series might have ended. Moore decided not to imitate Connery but to provide his own unique interpretation of the role, emphasizing the humorous aspects. Audiences responded with enthusiasm and Moore would play the role in seven films over a twelve year period. He left the series after "A View to a Kill" in 1985.
Spy Guys: Michael Caine, Roger Moore and Sean Connery made a hilarious joint appearance at the 1989 Oscars.
During Moore's tenure as Bond he made numerous other feature films including the highly successful 1978 adventure movie "The Wild Geese". Other notable films include "ffolkes" (aka "North Sea Hijack"), "Shout at the Devil" and "Gold". In the 1981 blockbuster comedy "The Cannonball Run" he played an eccentric who thought he was Roger Moore. In his post-Bond career Moore occasionally made films or appeared on television but devoted much of his time as Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. In that capacity Moore traveled the globe raising countless millions of dollars to help impoverished children. He often said that it was his work for UNICEF that he was most proud of. His charitable work was an obvious factor in his being knighted in 2003. His good friends Sean Connery and Michael Caine, both of whom achieved significant career boosts by also playing spies in the 1960s, were on hand for the ceremony. In recent years Moore had traveled extensively to promote numerous books he has authored with his personal assistant Gareth Owen. Sir Roger and Owen also developed speaking tours in which they would discuss his long film career in casual chats on stage in front of appreciative audiences generally in capacity-filled theaters.
Prior to becoming an actor, Sir Roger worked as a model.
On a personal note we at Cinema Retro had the pleasure of knowing Sir Roger Moore very well. He was an early supporter of our magazine and even provided an endorsement below our banner head. He remained a contributor to our publication and was always there to provide an amusing story or anecdote. He was completely devoid of egotistical behavior and found self-deprecating humor to be his best weapon against criticism. He once told this writer that he learned early on that critics found it no fun to mock an actor who mocked himself. Sir Roger was also beloved by his fans. He always had time to chat with them or sign autographs. Sir Roger's passing represents a sad day for all who loved and admired him- but his legacy as an actor and humanitarian remains secure. He is survived by his wife Kristina and his children Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian.
The web site the007dossier.com has posted a vintage broadcast in which Sean Connery sits with film scholar Mark Cousins to watch and comment on scenes from his James Bond films. (Thanks for reader Mark Ashby for sending the link.)