Caroline Munro – from Vincent Price’s Dead Wife to 007’s Bond Girl!
I came across a cult film called “Maniac” with Joe Spinnell, and quickly became a Caroline Munro fan – and here’s why!
Munro has been in some of the best cult films of the 70’s – and was also in one of the most successful movie franchises of all time – 007!
Munro got her start as a Vogue model when she was seventeen, and quickly began showing up in bit parts in films such as the 1967 James Bond spoof, “Casino Royale.” In the pic above, she is the third woman from the left…
Some don’t consider this James Bond spoof a real 007 film, but I say we celebrate Munro’s role…just as we did for this Bond Girl as well:
Barbara Bouchet was also in “Casino Royale”, and you see more of her here:
https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/29/classic-sex-kitten-james-bonds-sexy-co-star-barbara-bouchet/
Now, back to Munro: after her small role in the Bond film, Caroline’s first big role was in 1971, opposite Horror legend Vincent Price in “The Abominable Dr. Phibes” – playing the deceased Mrs. Victoria Regina Phibes.
Here is what she said about working on the film – as a dead woman next to a living legend!
“The most challenging scenes involved lying in the coffin with Vincent. You see, I’m allergic to feathers and I was attired in this beautiful negligee – but it was covered with feathers! It took a great deal of willpower not to sneeze or sniffle. On occasion, I would simply have to sneeze and this would result in having to do another take.”
She reprised the role in the 1972 sequel as well, then went on to sign a deal with legendary British horror studio Hammer.
Munro starred alongside Christopher Lee in “Dracula AD 1972”, then went on to star in the classic “Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter”!
Munro was on a roll, showing up next in the Ray Harryhausen effects spectacular “The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad.”
As you can see, the camera LOVED Munro, and she never had an issue with her wardrobe being ill-fitting…
Munro’s “Real” Bond Film!
In 1977, Caroline got her biggest role ever when she became an official “Bond Girl” in “The Spy Who Loved Me.”
“Spy” was one of the best Bond films ever, with Roger Moore at the height of his popularity as 007. The film also introduced a classic bad guy, the late Richard Kiel as “Jaws.”
Of course, every “Bond girl” gets a chance to wear a bikini, and Munro was no different – but she also exuded a sense of fun and playfulness that made her one of the more memorable Bond actresses.
From 007 To Crazed “Maniac!”
The Bond film was Munro’s career highlight, and after that, while working regularly, the films weren’t quite as big. Some of Munro’s later movies include cult B-movies like “Starcrash” – and she literally lost her head in the cult horror classic “Maniac!”
Munro still makes appearances at fan events, and appears in movie projects as well – and she also left behind a lot of cult classics to remember her by, and a ton of bikini photos as well!
Leave a comment and let me know your favorite Caroline Munro movie!
Categories: 70's Films, Books / Media, Camp Cult Classics, Classic Horror, Cult Classics, Exploitation Films, Grindhouse, JRsploitation, Talent / Celebrites
Very much a staple of the Hammer studios, so well known here. Also for her long-running stint as the face of Lamb’s Navy Rum, on TV commercials. https://imgur.com/gallery/8fHEU
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes Pete, she’s got a great history…thanks for sharing that!