MovieChat Forums > Thunderball (1965) Discussion > 'On yogurt and lemon juice? Ha, I can't ...

'On yogurt and lemon juice? Ha, I can't wait!'


Bond calls Moneypenny from a pay phone to ask about the red Tong symbol seen on Lippe's arm. She tells him he is off duty and he'll have to "file it later.'He replies, "Moneypenny, next time I see you I'll take you across my lap" to which she says "On yogurt and lemon juice? Ha, I can't wait!"
Can someone explain what that means? Why would she say he is off-duty? He was still on the case. And her reply about yogurt and lemon juice seems to suggest maybe a line was cut from the scene. Anybody know?

"Cum Grano Salis"

reply

[deleted]

Bond was convalescing in Shrublands after the fight with Colonel Bouvier so presumably was on sick leave. Back in 1965 yoghurt and lemon juice would not have been considered "manly" food, more something that was given to invalids. To take he across his lap ( to spank her bottom) he would have wanted a good helping of red meat to give him the energy. Ah, how times have changed

reply

Bond was convalescing in Shrublands after the fight with Colonel Bouvier so presumably was on sick leave. Back in 1965 yoghurt and lemon juice would not have been considered "manly" food, more something that was given to invalids.
Precisely! Remember his bruise about which he talks to Patricia the physio.

I love those early film conversations with Moneypenny.

reply

In his book "Bond on Bond" (mine being signed by the man himself, of course)Roger Moore says that, although she appeared in all of the first fourteen movies, Lois Maxwell's total screen time is less that twenty five minutes and she speaks less that two hundred words in total. Such is the power of Bond to create an icon

reply

I have read it, though obtained my unsigned copy borrowed from the local library. (What a comedown compared to yours radiating star power.)It is a nice story.

Am currently looking at some of the earlier films and am enjoying seeing the transition of Q from extremely straight-laced Major Boothroyd in the first two installments to the gradually lighter "really 007, do pay attention".

reply

My young niece got it for a Christmas present. She works in London and saw that the great man was doing a book signing. She couldn't eat her Christmas dinner fast enough to get to the present giving.

reply

Very nice Christmas story!

reply

In the film, Bond is at Shrublands to receive therapy for the injury to his right side, after being struck by the fireplace poker wielded by Jacques Bouvier during the pre-title sequence fight, and wasn't "on-duty."

In the novel, Bond was sent to Shrublands because of M's alarm at his latest Secret Service health report -- too much smoking, drinking, high blood pressure, etc. Part of the "cure" at Shrublands was a strict diet, which contained the yogurt and lemon juice elements.

Those in the film audience familiar with the novel probably got the reference, and since Shrublands was obviously a recuperative physical-therapy institution, the film makers figured everyone else would too.

reply

Excellent answer, rac701. Having not read the novels, I would never have guessed he would be eating yogurt and lemon juice. Although, in one of the other films (can't find which one) he called room service and ordered breakfast as "green figs and coffee, black."

"Cum Grano Salis"

reply

I am formerly known as HillieBoliday....Member since May 2006

The green figs and black coffee was "From Russia With Love."

"OOhhhooo....I'M GON' TELL MAMA!"

reply

bobquack,

007 ordered "green figs, yogurt," and "coffee, very black" for breakfast at his hotel in Istanbul, in both the novel and the film "From Russia With Love."

reply

He doesn't say take you across my lap' he says 'put you across my knee'. much more manly. i expect he could manage okay even on yghurt and lemon juice.

reply

I always just assumed - he's on a health farm (I seem to remember those old-fashioned "vibrating belts" - is that just false memory syndrome?) so he's on (what were then considered) health foods. Sounds very unappetising.




Awight we're The Daamned we're a punk baand and this is called Carn't Be Appy T'day!

reply

I don't know if it's related. But back in the early 90's there was a show called Absolutely Fabulous. The show had a 60's mom and a conservative daughter. I was stuck in an apartment with no cable and any British Comedy I'd watch.

One episode Morocco, set in Marrakech they talk about being covered in yogurt and honey as a sexual adventure there.
The joke is when the Mom has her daughter walk by she sniffs the air and "I smell yogurt and honey!". Much to the daughters chagrin.

I've always thought it was a kinky thing the writers slipped by the censors.

reply