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When Roger Moore firstappeared in his opening 007 adventure "LiveAnd Let Die", MadelineSmith as saucy Italian agent MissCaruso was the first actress to bed the new JamesBond...

Madeline Smith Interview
26th April 2003

When Roger Moore first appearedin his opening 007 adventure "LiveAnd Let Die", MadelineSmith assaucy Italian agent Miss Caruso wasthe first actress to bed the new James Bond.

You were a new Bond girl in 1973 and had a new Bondalso, Roger Moore. Can you tell us what it was like workingwith him?
Well it was a delightful experience being Roger's firstBond girl, we had worked together before in "The Persuaders" sowe’re quite familiar with each other. Lovely, he suggestedme for the part, it was a coming together again with a familiarperson an a hugely enjoyable experience.

You had that infamous scene with the dress and Bond'smagnetic watch. Did it all go as smoothly as it appearsto on screen?
Well because the famous blue dress was made out ofterribly thick material, the zip which was meant to unzipin a flash with the magnetic watch and didn’t, itbucked!

A very famous man named Derek Meddings who was a specialeffects guy was lying at my feet pulling on a string thatwent to the zip; there were a lot of hilarious moments then.Somebody was pulling on the dress somebody was pulling onthe other end of the zip, in the end it worked fairly seamlessly.

What I thinkwas funny about that was Roger's then lovely wife Louisa wassitting 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 modestandabove board, very English!
He is delightful, a very humorous man and hard working, everytime we were doing a scene he would nip off to learn a fightthat he was shooting on a train at a later date. Very committedand very serious. Humorous but serious.

How did you land your role as Madeline Smith asMiss Caruso?
I had to audition for the role.

When you got to see the film for the first time howdid you feel about seeing yourself on the big screen?
I hid under the seat immediately!

What are your most cherished memories from the Bondproductions?
Hearing that wonderful Paul McCartney music. Someone said listen to this bloodymarvelous music, so we sat there in rapture. If I hear that music now my heartleaps because I think its such marvelous music. That was the best moment.

How did your image as a "Bond Girl" affect yourcareer post 1973?
Interestingly enough in those days, all that time ago, it wasnot considered such a huge thing to do, it could actually ruinyoucareer because they would type cast you forever. Some time peoplewere not always happy to accept the part, and that’s actuallytrue. Now it’s a huge career enhancer, it was not a minusor plus in those days, it was delightful to have done. I didn’tget any publicity from it at all at the time which is interesting,now it’s actually paying off, you have to remember thatit was 1973.

You are just as famous for being a "Hammer Horrors" leadinglady, can you talk us through your most memorable experiencewhile making horror films?
Well I was in three "Hammer"s and I did one called "Theatre ofBlood", it was a smashing experience. "The Theatre of Blood" wasmy favourite of all time, working with all those famous actors. It was such anamazing 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 Lowewho I had worked with on TV and in commercials. So a revisiting of my friendshipwith Arthur Lowe, and most special of all was watching Vincent Price and CoralBrowne falling in love. Because that’s where they fell in love, and fromthat they got married and where from that day I’m happy to say were happyever after. That was 1972 and it was magic to see two olden’s falling inlove 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 himplay golf as ever when I was making a film with AverGardner in 1969 and he came visiting.

What did you think of the last film, "Die AnotherDay"?
I have not seen it, but I saw Pierce in "GoldenEye" andthought he was excellent.

What is your favourite Bond film?
My film, but I think it’s a bloody good film. It’sgot a lot of humour, excitement, black comedy, whichI 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” thatmoment at the beginning in New Orleans.

Thanks to Madeline Smith.

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