An episode of "The Muppet Show" showed what was good about Roger Moore. Miss Piggy literally fell for him, only to be humiliated when Annie Sue showed up as his date. (Annie Sue is a talented, young girl pig, whom Kermit the Frog called "the Muppets' delightful little lady of song". Annie Sue admires Miss Piggy, but the latter has none of it. This diva pig couldn't shake off her jealousy.) The native of South London could have joined the long list of British actors who became bankable leading men in Hollywood, but it was James Bond that propelled him to stardom. Unlike the other actors who played 007 (and have mixed feelings about it), Moore was grateful about the opportunity.
Moore first played Bond in "Live and Let Die" (1973), where espionage and voodoo were unlikely bedmates. His 007 was smooth, playful, and dashing. Jane Seymour couldn't resist his charm, and so were the rest of the leading ladies in Moore's six other appearances. Many would argue that Sean Connery was the definitive Bond, but Ian Fleming could give a nod to Moore. Not a few viewers would point out the misogynistic tone, which was a bit too obvious to them. Moore knew this was a Walter Mitty moment, and he was game (to play the part). In fact, he was willing to play Bond if producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman don't mind an aging spy flirting with younger women. It was a tried-and-tested formula in Hollywood, but James Bond must remain ageless for the succeeding generations of moviegoers.
Moore managed to carve a respectable career, having a part in the iconic TV series "Maverick" during his younger years. Those who were too young to recall it would remember his appearance in "Spice World" while those who knew Moore a bit too well admired his humanitarian work. (It was Audrey Hepburn who impressed Moore, becoming a UNICEF Ambassador.) But there was no other character like James Bond. Here is a short list of Moore turn as 007:
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). There were scenes where Moore's 007 was overshadowed by the spectacular Thai coastline and Christopher Lee's Francisco Scaramanga. Moore wouldn't mind at all, as both were reasons why opinion on this ninth entry (in the James Bond series) changed through the years. Some viewers who could afford a holiday in Phuket would join the James Bond Tour. There won't be any guns involved here.
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). The opening scene was probably the highlight of this (spy) film. What happened next won't be a downer at all; moviegoers who have seen too many Bond films may be numbed at the turn of (predictable) events, but the death-defying chase on the Austrian slope was good enough for a cinematic moment.
A View to a Kill (1985). Grace Jones was the least choice for a Bond lady, and it had something to do with Fleming's Old World romantic notions. But Moore and Jones have (on-screen) chemistry during their few moments. It wasn't a gamble on the part of Broccoli and Saltzman.
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