In both the Bond novels and films based upon them, Moneypenny is smitten with Bond. For example, in the novel
Thunderball (1961), Fleming wrote that she "often dreamed hopelessly about Bond". However, she never explicitly voices these feelings. Miss Moneypenny's role in Fleming's novels is even smaller than her role in the films. In the novels, Bond also has his own secretary,
Loelia Ponsonby and later
Mary Goodnight, both of whose lines and relationships were often transferred to Miss Moneypenny for the films. As a rule, Moneypenny generally never directly participates in Bond's missions. However, in
Skyfall, Moneypenny is an MI6
officer who directly assists Bond in the field before becoming the new M's secretary. In the film
Octopussy, Moneypenny (
Lois Maxwell) has an assistant named Penelope Smallbone (
Michaela Clavell), who appears to be equally smitten with Bond (
Roger Moore), despite a "thorough briefing" on the subject by Moneypenny. Intended as either a
foil or a replacement for Moneypenny, Smallbone appeared only that once. in
The Murder Room (2004) In most of the Bond films, there is a scene, usually Bond's arrival at M's office, in which Bond and Moneypenny exchange witty, flirtatious conversation. ("Flattery will get you nowhere, but don't stop trying.") In the earlier films, these exchanges are more sexually charged, with Bond (
Sean Connery) often kissing or caressing Moneypenny sensually. In
Die Another Day (2002), Moneypenny (
Samantha Bond) puts on
Q's (
John Cleese)
virtual reality glasses and runs a simulation in which she and Bond (
Pierce Brosnan) finally consummate their relationship. Q interrupts her, and she pretends she was using it as a combat simulation. In the original film version of
Casino Royale, actress
Barbara Bouchet plays M's current secretary and explains to Sir James Bond (played by
David Niven) upon their first meeting that she is actually Miss Moneypenny's daughter. She is referred to thereafter, and in the closing credits, as Moneypenny. Since the character's first appearance in
Casino Royale, neither Fleming nor any succeeding Bond novelist gave Moneypenny a first name. In a number of books and at least one film, Bond refers to her by the nickname "Penny" (a shortened version of her last name). However,
The Moneypenny Diaries gives her first name as Jane, while in
Skyfall, the character is named Eve. After Lois Maxwell's death, Roger Moore recalled that she would have liked to have become the new M after Moore's retirement. She had suggested herself for the role of M but had been turned down. "I think it was a great disappointment to her that she had not been promoted to play M. She would have been a wonderful M." ==
The Moneypenny Diaries==