A 92-year-old care home resident has revealed that she played a key role in the mega success of the James Bond films.
Ross Moulton recently told staff of her integral role in the making of Dr No.
Unbeknownst to neighbours living alongside her, Ross once rubbed shoulders with Hollywood icons like Sean Connery and Elizabeth Taylor.
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During the 1960s, she worked at Warwick Films production company, which made films released by Columbia Pictures.
She worked as a secretary to film producers Irving Allen and Cubby Broccoli, famed for producing the James Bond franchise, as reported by What’s The Jam.
And in 1961, she hand-typed the script for Dr No, the first James Bond film, which launched the blockbuster series.
The film also propelled Connery to international stardom.
Ross, who lives at Daisy Hill Court, Norwich, Norfolk, remembers Connery’s humble beginnings as he set out on his acting career.
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“I remember him arriving for an interview in a worn suit and barely there pair of shoes,” she said.
“But he still had that undeniable star quality.”
One of her most vivid memories is of Elizabeth Taylor, who visited the Warwick Films’ private theatre to review film rushes.
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“It was 9 am and Elizabeth had no makeup on,” Ross said.
“But even so, she still looked absolutely beautiful.”
She had other glamorous encounters, too.
She served tea to Oscar-winning actor Ray Milland, who cheekily remarked on her petite stature.
“Gee, aren’t you short,” he told her.
But Ross, who stands at four-and-a-half feet, asked the six-foot star, ‘What’s the snow like on top?’
Before her time working in the film industry, Ross worked for a wool merchant near London’s Golden Square.
She met Wimbledon champion Fred Perry there, who was transitioning from tennis to fashion.
Perry shared with her boss his vision of creating a clothing line bearing his name, complete with the now-iconic laurel wreath logo.
As a result, she went to the Cardiff factory where the Fred Perry clothing was being made to check on the work and ensure there weren’t any problems with the quality.
This is where Ross was tasked with testing the quality of the fabric for Perry’s first shirts, washing a sample 40 times to ensure its durability.
The shirts went on to become a staple at Wimbledon and remain a global fashion symbol to this day.
“I still see people wearing Fred Perry shirts, and it makes me smile,” she added.
Ross later lived in Singapore with her husband Geoffrey, who served in the Royal Navy.
After Geoffrey’s retirement, the couple settled in Bexhill-on-Sea, where they enjoyed 27 happy years before his health began to decline.
The couple eventually moved to Daisy Hill Court to be near their daughter.
Husband Geoffrey passed away not long after making the move.
Since moving to Daisy Hill Court, a McCarthy Stone Retirement Living Plus development which features an on-site bistro and communal lounge, Ross has found a close-knit community and a renewed sense of belonging in a new area.
Today, she says she spends her time playing cards, chess, and enjoying performances from visiting entertainers.
“I’m happy in my own skin and can be quite self-contained, but despite that, I’ve made wonderful friends here and it’s reassuring to know that I’ve got people right on the doorstep, especially having family living nearby,” she added.
Ross is proud of the life she’s led and the lessons she’s learned.
“We all look back and think we could have done things differently, but that’s what life is, you go with it, and you learn,” she said.
“Embrace the opportunities that come your way, even if they seem daunting.
“After all, it was a chance encounter and a leap of faith that led to a career among Hollywood stars and cultural icons.”
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