LISTS… Remembering When Roger Moore Hit the Bullseye

#1970s #1980s #1990s #2010s #AllPosts

 

Recalling my bond for this Bond…

 

A tribute to Roger Moore, an actor and the man with the golden touch.

 

The Man Who Haunted Himself

Bullseye

 

So It was with much sadness that I discovered it was about the passing away of Roger Moore. Moore had been one of those actors, who has been with me through every decade since I was born. He’s an actor who I’ve enjoyed seeing in everything and always made a crap movie bearable.

Even his film stealing role in that travesty of the Spice World (1997) movie made the film better albeit only when Moore graced the screen. Moore always brought his Englishness, refinement and almost regal presence to every movie and every TV show. That mischievous twinkle in his eye, those famous eyebrows and that iconic voice will always sum up every movie he has starred in but mostly in his most famous role as James Bond. And many more of his roles.

But to me, his best role was playing a man who believes he is Roger Moore, and this with more of a hint of parody in 1981’s The Cannonball Run. This film I reviewed recently and I also wrote more in-depth about Moore’s part HERE.

 

James Bond Movies (1972-85)…

Octopussy (1983) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p], HD Retro Trailers

As my favourite Bond, Roger Moore took over the iconic role in 1972. And so he was the Bond I grew up with. I watched him in many a film at the cinema and remember his movies the most. With that other famous Scottish Bond coming a close second.

Moore was the first Bond I saw on the big screen in Octopussy (1983) and I remember having Moore and Maud Adams on this the first film poster on my wall. Whereas Connery was the comic hard man, Roger Moore was the fun Bond. Although admittedly thanks to Darlin Husband, I’ve realised that Moore’s quips are throughout the movie and not just before the credits roll.

Moore also got the most fun of the gadgets, with the dual role of a horse-box in A View to a Kill (1985), locations such as in Moonraker (1974) – need I say more –  and with those bad guys in Christopher Lee and Christopher Walken.

Moore had also some of the more memorable double entendres and puns, which he delivered impeccably. However, despite having Bond girls in the shape of Lois Chiles and Jane Seymour, I fondly remember his banter as James Bond with Lois Maxwell’s Miss Moneypenny. Maxwell as always M’s secretary never the Bond Girl, played by Moore’s old RADA classmate.

 

The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970)…

The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970) – Trailer, The Celluloid Highway

Every actor of a certain age has at least one psychological horror film played for fright and suspense, but now and then seen as an accidental comedy. These actors included Michael Caine – in the 80s, no surprise there – in The Hand (1981), Oliver Reed in Burnt Offerings (1976) and Richard Burton in The Medusa Touch (1978).

These were films that I’ve fond memories of watching with my dad. Darlin Husband luckily is a great fan of these too. They are certainly worth a rewatch for the crazy plots and hammed up acting. I love them just as much as the more disaster movies of this time also helmed by some great names – Airport 77 (1977), Earthquake (1974) and The Towering Inferno (1974) are particular joys from back then.

Moore’s The Man Who Haunted Himself is another of these now treasured movies that I enjoy. The film tells of a man played by a moustached Roger Moore who after recovering from an accident finds he has two heartbeats. After his brief encounter with death that his life is completely different, and he is being followed by a mysterious man in a Lamborghini.

 

Bullseye (1990)…

Bullseye Trailer 1990, Video Detective

A collaboration between the impersonator’s dream team of Michael Caine and Roger Moore. Moore playing one of his almost typecast roles as a Sir… (and other roles as Major and Duke adding to his repertoire). Here the pair play some scientists and their con men doppelganger.

This crazy caper has the con men being involved in a world of spies, stealing secret formulas and fun cameos. These include John Cleese as IMDB puts it “Appearing without the permission of his mother: John Cleese as the man on the beach in Barbados who looks like John Cleese.”

 

A Princess For Christmas (2011)…

A Princess For Christmas – Trailer, LionsgateVOD

Not seen this, but I’m sure at least 9/10 Outlander fans have. With Outlander‘s Sam Heughan in it as Moore’s son in this Moore’s final film appearance. Despite the clash in British accents to almost as odd casting as fellow Bond Sean Connery playing Dustin Hoffman’s father in Family Business (1989).

A Princess For Christmas will probably be shown this Christmas on a certain film streaming channel or terrestrial TV and billed as a Roger Moore tribute (with Sam Heughan). Although more likely to be watched by the Heughanites and their long-suffering partners.

 

Moore’s Impersonators and Parodies…

Rory Bremner as Bond, bryrw06

As a kid of the 1980s, Moore was often the subject of parody by the Spitting Image (1984-96) writers. As I’ve never been really into politics, he was one of the few of the satirical puppets I remember and enjoyed. His iconic voice of course before this and since then has been a source of mimicry.

Moore’s impersonators include Steve Coogan and Rory Bremner. However happily for me Moore’s voice lives on and be heard via my Darlin’ Husband who can copy Moore’s voice to a tee, and on hand, if I want to hear more random phrases said by Moore. Roger Moore.

 

---

October Birthdayz Blogathon 2018, No 54

This is the last of three posts added to No Nonsense with Nuwan Sen’s October Birthdayz Blogathon. As for this blogathon, I’m adding posts on Deadpool, Roger Moore and Dorian Gray with Roger Moore born on October the 14th.  Other reviews with this cast include Roger Moore in the Cannonball Run reviews HERE and HERE. I also reviewed Roger Moore in his leading role in A View to a Kill and North Sea Hijack / ffolkes HERE.  He also stars in A View to a Kill and The Wild Geese. The Man Who Haunted Himself is also reviewed HERE. He is reviewed here in My Darlin Husband’s The Man with the Golden Gun Guest Post.

---

 

Related