Questions and Answers with Lois ChilesFirstly we would like to say a big thank you to Lois for taking time out to answer your questions, the winner of the best question will be announced shortly.
!! WINNING QUESTION !!
Your character Holly Goodhead was one of the first really strong female character to appear on screen with Bond. Do you feel the "Bond Girl" characters have evolved over the past 40 years, or have always had the same qualities as the 60's/70's films?
From Kareem in New Zealand
"I think the Bond girls have always possessed certain characteristics but have evolved in other ways over the past 40 years based on the cultural climate of the time and the particular Bond they were playing opposite. Take Pussy Galore for example. She was a Bond girl in the 60s but was quite strong.
However she did not have a discernible profession. Holly was perhaps the first Bond girl who had a serious job that matched Bond's in some way. MOONRAKER was shot in 1979 when women's roles in society were changing. Since then the Bond girls have continued to evolve, often being more accomplished than Bond himself in some areas"
What was the most challenging aspect of bringing Dr. Holly Goodhead to life in terms of making your mark on an already impressive and established list of memoriable Bond women/actresses?
From Benjamin in the USA
"I must admit that I did not realize the legacy of Bond when I appeared in the film. You must remember that at that time (1979) there were no DVD or VHS or PAL copies of Bond films. If you missed them in the theatres you did not see them. I had seen DR. NO and a few others but was not fully aware of the amazing group of women I was joining. When I did MOONRAKER, Bond women were not considered particularly cool but that has changed over time. What was challenging to me about doing the Bond film was working with people who had done many films together and were accustomed to working fast and did not need alot of time to communicate to each other what they were doing. I always felt I was behind"
If you were to audition young hopeful actresses for a part in a Bondfilm, what qualities would you look for ?
From Adrian in The Netherlands"If I were auditioning young actresses for a part in a Bond film it would depend upon what part we were trying to fill as to what qualities I would be looking for. Generally I would look for a certain indefinable quality best described as "moxie", femininity, and a sense of humor. Self- confidence and cool don't hurt either. Also I would look for the best actress for the job.
Someone with chops and talent because it is a difficult job, appearances to the contrary"
You still look so gorgeous! What's your secret? Also, are you still teaching acting classes?
From Jeremy in the USA
"You are so charming! Thank you for the compliment. I took a leave of absence from teaching for a year because of personal issues but hope to return to it next year. I really enjoyed it"
What was the funniest thing that happened while you were shooting the film?
From Michael in the USA"It is difficult to remember the funniest thing that happened shooting MOONRAKER as it was a long time ago and Roger Moore is a very funny man. The funniest thing I can remember is the shooting of the last scene when we were weightless, making love. It was so awkward that it was funny"
25 years later and Moonraker is still very futuristic. Did the whole plot seem totally off the wall back then?
From Mark in the United Kingdom"How kind of you to say you think MOONRAKER still seems futuristic to you. At the time, it seemed sometimes like a cartoon and sometimes serious which I think was adopted as a tone for action pictures for awhile afterwards. However, as time marches on, I see how dictators can influence people and how fast it can happen so what seemed far fetched when we made it seems oddly less so to me at the moment"
I am curious to what actor you worked with that you learned more from, Roger Moore or Robert Redford, and what did you learn?
From Monique in the USA"I learned alot from both Roger Moore and Robert Redford. If pressed I would have to say I learned more from Redford because I worked with him on my first two movies and he was the biggest male star in the world at that moment. I watched how he handled himself with the press, with other actors, with the directors, writers and producer, and how he maintained his privacy. He was very kind to me. By the time I worked with Roger I had been working for a number of years. I learned alot from Roger as to how to best handle the press. He has such a great and fast wit. Though I could never hope to achieve his gift I saw how it should be done and was most impressed"
What traits do you think a “real” James Bond would need to win Dr. Goodhead’s approval?
From Zachary in the USA"A real James Bond would need to have a sense of humor, intelligence, strength, and character as well as kindness to win Holly. Dr. Goodhead appears to be strong and able to take care of herself. So, for a real Bond to win her he would have to convince her that he could match her and that she could depend on him and let down her guard a little"
If you could have played any other character in the bond franchise - who would it be and why?
From Sarah in the United Kingdom"I guess every woman would like to play Bond. Moneypenny is fun. But M has evolved into a very interesting part since Judi Dench took the role. As far as the other women characters go, I am happy I got to play Holly. A villain might have also been fun"
You were originally considered for the part of Anya Amasova in the Spy Who Loved Me, which was to later be played by Barbara Bach. Which role would you prefered to have played? Any regrets about not being in TSWLM?
From Mark in the United Kingdom
"I was not aware that I was considered to play Anya Amasova. Moonraker was the film I was aware of being considered for. The Bond people asked me to fly to Paris to test for the role and I did. Perhaps Lewis Gilbert thought of me for TSWLM but I did not know it and I happen to think Barbara Bach was perfect. I am happy with my part and I am sure she is happy with hers. I do think TSWLM was one of the better Bond films"