The most embarrassing moment of Roger Moore’s career
There’s something almost holy about the role of James Bond. The secret agent is a character so revered that to play Her Majesty’s secret weapon is to be cast as the devilish assassin forevermore. Few actors have permanently escaped the clutches of the shaken martini and tuxedo. Roger Moore is a shining example of that.
Holding the role of 007 for over ten years, from 1973-85 is likely what most audiences will recognise Roger Moore for, but before he was “Bond, James Bond,” Moore was known for playing the role of Simon Templar in six seasons and two theatrical releases of The Saint.
Based on the series of books written by Leslie Charteris, The Saint sees a modern-day Robin Hood-like figure operating outside of the law, helping those whom conventional agencies are unable or unwilling to protect. The character is suave, charming and witty, often seen in a sharply cut suit and driving flash cars – is it any wonder, then, that Moore was offered the role of Bond twice during the popularity of The Saint’s 118 episode run from 1962-69.
The Saint was one of the earliest examples of true serialised, adventure television that was spearheaded by production company ITC, and producer Lew Grade, who’s pioneering approach to television media resulted in landmark series’ such as The Adventures of Robin Hood, Danger Man, The Prisoner and The Avengers (no, not those Avengers).
ITC’s shows were known for their explosive, appointment television plots, stylish design and iconic opening titles, which were in themselves a revolutionary addition to television production. Decades on, the efforts of Lew Grade and ITC have left an indelible mark on the landscape of popular culture and how television is perceived as a medium for storytelling.
It was Grade who approached Moore about the role as Simon Templar, a role that he was all too willing to take on, as the actor had tried to acquire the rights to the adaptation himself earlier. Perhaps it was the excitement around the role for Moore that led to what he would consider his most embarrassing moment. When recounting that, at a press conference for the announcement of the show, producer Grade would declare The Saint as a “great series of one-hour shows,” despite Moore having agreed his fee “on the basis that it was 30-minutes and not 60”.
Despite this early mix-up, the show would go on to garner legions of fans and followers, over 50 years on from it’s ending, and in spite of multiple attempts to reboot The Saint, Roger Moore’s portrayal is still considered by many the only viable version of Simon Templar.
It’s clear that, despite embarrassment, the dispute around the fee would not sour the relationship between actor and producer, with Moore going on to star in another Lew Grade production, The Persuaders, opposite Tony Curtis, with the two stars portraying as millionaire playboys in Europe, and in a seeming make-up fee saw Moore being paid £1million for the series, making him, at the time the highest paid actor in the world.
