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Selina Scott was 'too glamourous' to become Miss Moneypenny

JamesPageJamesPage Administrator, Moderator, Director
edited May 2012 in News Posts: 1,380
British broadcaster, newsreader and style icon of the late 1980s, Selina Scott, has revealed in a new interview with the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/9263286/Selina-Scott-told-she-was-too-glamorous-to-play-Miss-Moneypenny-in-James-Bond-film.html"; target="_blank">Telegraph</a> that she was once considered for the role of James Bond's secretary.

Sometime after 1985, when Lois Maxwell retired from the series, producer Albert R. Broccoli set about casting the new Miss Moneypenny. It would be a fresh look at MI6 as 007 himself was being recast in the form of Timothy Dalton, after NBC scuppered Pierce Brosnan's contract.

Scott was considered for the 1987 film "The Living Daylights" and met with Broccoli in Mayfair, but she was told she was too attractive for the part.

<img src="http://www.mi6-hq.com/news/images/selina_scott.jpg">;

“Cubby wrote to me saying they had decided against it because I was too glamorous,” she said.

The role ultimately went to Caroline Bliss, who also appeared in "Licence To Kill".
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Comments

  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    What a kind thing to say, whether that was the strongest reason or not.
  • 002002
    Posts: 581
    Selina could have been better than Caroline...
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent
    Posts: 12,526
    A missed opporyunity there? She could have been very good? But i assume there was a screen test and it just didn't work out for her?
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    That is too bad. Caroline Bliss was horrible as Moneypenny, so this feels like a lost opportunity for something better. You can't really get much worse.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    I would still want Bliss as Moneypenny, but it's a pity they couldn't squeeze Scott into the film in some way.
  • actonsteveactonsteve
    Posts: 1,492
    I didn't know Selina Scott was an actress? What? You mean she wasn't? Quelle surprise she didnt get the part.

    She was fine on the breakfast TV sofa but for a Bond film? Methinks Ms Scott has been quaffing the sherry again.
  • St_GeorgeSt_George Shuttling Drax's lovelies to the space doughnut - happy 40th, MR!
    Posts: 1,699
    Quite frankly, as she had no background as an actress (as far as I know), it could well be that Ms Scott would have made for a pretty poor Moneypenny. And her persona and approach would surely not really have fitted the pre-'90s, generally non-feminist take on the role either, given she was no soft touch on the Breakfast telly sofa - one may even say she was something of a ball-breaker.

    What amuses me about this 'news', mind, is the fact she apparently was passed over for the role for being too glamorous, when now she runs a company that makes woolly socks. How times change, eh...? ;)
  • thelivingroyalethelivingroyale
    edited May 2012 Posts: 12,837
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    That is too bad. Caroline Bliss was horrible as Moneypenny, so this feels like a lost opportunity for something better. You can't really get much worse.

    Except she isn't an actress so chances are she'd have been crap.

    Honestly I don't think Bliss was bad either.
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent
    Posts: 12,526
    thelivingroyale wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    That is too bad. Caroline Bliss was horrible as Moneypenny, so this feels like a lost opportunity for something better. You can't really get much worse.

    Except she isn't an actress so chances are she'd have been crap.

    Honestly I don't think Bliss was bad either.

    Lazenby wasn't an actor though? And Moneypenny isn't a huge part to play, so you never know?
  • GetafixGetafix
    Posts: 11,425
    Good to see Selina is absurd as ever.
  • St_GeorgeSt_George Shuttling Drax's lovelies to the space doughnut - happy 40th, MR!
    Posts: 1,699
    Getafix wrote:
    Good to see Selina is absurd as ever.

    Maybe she should put a sock in it...? ;))
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    Cheer up, it could've been Anne Diamond. And when M's back is turned, Moneypenny tries to buy gold from the MI6 staff. ;)
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    Cheer up, it could've been Anne Diamond. And when M's back is turned, Moneypenny tries to buy gold from the MI6 staff. ;)

    Well Anne Diamond has had practice talking to a 007



  • Agent7FAgent7F
    Posts: 825
    Well Late Lois Maxwell is still most favourite but yes it come time to change Miss Moneypenny. Was 2 movies then Sammantha Bond took over. Now Still no Moneypenny in Skyfall.
  • forgotmyusernameforgotmyusername
    Posts: 2,782
    Agent7F wrote:
    Well Late Lois Maxwell is still most favourite but yes it come time to change Miss Moneypenny. Was 2 movies then Sammantha Bond took over. Now Still no Moneypenny in Skyfall.


    You never know we might have an end teaser credit thing where Moneypenny walks through the door and throws her hat on Bonds coat stand.


    Scott was an ironing board and was with all certainty a ladyboy.
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,582
    Fair to say that dozens of people would be considered for every role in a Bond film, and occassionally one or two of the higher profile ones will mention it in an interview. No point us voicing an opinion 25 years later because we could easilly be far more horrified by some of the other contestants for the role.

  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    Samantha Bond (IMO) had that "morning presenter" quality about her and I think she made a splendid Moneypenny.

    I don't know why but IMO Lorraine Kelly would make quite a good MP.
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    Surely she was too well known as a news reader to convince as Moneypenny. And she probably couldn't act - and although it is a small part you would need someone who could be convincing in her relationship with James.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited May 2012 Posts: 13,978
    BAIN123 wrote:
    Samantha Bond (IMO) had that "morning presenter" quality about her and I think she made a splendid Moneypenny.

    I don't know why but IMO Lorraine Kelly would make quite a good MP.

    I'd prefer BBC Breakfast's Susanna Reid. ;;)
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    BAIN123 wrote:
    Samantha Bond (IMO) had that "morning presenter" quality about her and I think she made a splendid Moneypenny.

    I don't know why but IMO Lorraine Kelly would make quite a good MP.

    I'd prefer BBC Breakfast's Susanna Reid. ;;)

    With you on that one!
  • BAIN123BAIN123
    Posts: 11,189
    Lancaster007 wrote:
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    BAIN123 wrote:
    Samantha Bond (IMO) had that "morning presenter" quality about her and I think she made a splendid Moneypenny.

    I don't know why but IMO Lorraine Kelly would make quite a good MP.

    I'd prefer BBC Breakfast's Susanna Reid. ;;)

    With you on that one!

    Hmm...I think I know who you mean but haven't seen enough of her to judge.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    Susanna Reid:
    Susanna-Reid--264x300.jpg

    Though not quite a match for Reid, but GMTV used to have Clare Nashir as (one of) their weather girls. Another potential MP there, prehaps?
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,582
    Susanna Reid - thinking man's crumpet.
  • forgotmyusernameforgotmyusername
    Posts: 2,782
    NicNac wrote:
    Susanna Reid - thinking man's crumpet.


    I can think a lot a things about Susanna - none of them honourable.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/42132002@N05/5953900097/
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent
    Posts: 12,526
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    Susanna Reid:
    Susanna-Reid--264x300.jpg

    Though not quite a match for Reid, but GMTV used to have Clare Nashir as (one of) their weather girls. Another potential MP there, prehaps?

    Great call major! She is a minx! I like seeing her first thing of a morning! :D
  • fanbond123fanbond123
    edited May 2012 Posts: 1,661
    Anything is possible in the wacky world of Bond casting. ;)

    "Surely she was too well known as a news reader to convince as Moneypenny. And she probably couldn't act - and although it is a small part you would need someone who could be convincing in her relationship with James."

    I suppose her role would be small so it wouldn't matter if she were not a trained actress. But a trained actress would be a better, more logical choice. Casting someone like Selina Scott would feel a bit gimmicky.

  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    MajorDSmythe wrote:
    Susanna Reid:
    Susanna-Reid--264x300.jpg

    Though not quite a match for Reid, but GMTV used to have Clare Nashir as (one of) their weather girls. Another potential MP there, prehaps?

    Reid or Nasir - though Clare Nasir is quite tiny.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited May 2012 Posts: 13,978
    Both. When you say tiny, do you mean in height or buld? If build, then Nasir used to be more curvier, until she slimmed down. :-w
  • OHMSS69OHMSS69
    Posts: 2,341
    I don't think Bliss was horrible as Moneypenny. I actually liked her with those glasses in TLD. She was kinda cute.
  • St_GeorgeSt_George Shuttling Drax's lovelies to the space doughnut - happy 40th, MR!
    Posts: 1,699
    NicNac wrote:
    Susanna Reid - thinking man's crumpet.

    And not as silly an idea as Selina Scott - I believe Susannah Reid actually went to drama school...
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