'The Saint' predicted Roger Moore would become James Bond a decade early
Over the course of seven official Bond films, Roger Moore logged the most time as the secret agent, 5,118 days. He accepted the role, filling Connery's expensive shoes, in August 1972. The suave British star had plenty of experience in onscreen spycraft, as he portrayed title character Simon Templar in six seasons of The Saint, from 1962–69.
The Saint has several fascinating ties to the Bond franchise. Lois Maxwell, the first actress to play Miss Moneypenny, sitting outside M's office for more than two decades, appeared in two episodes of The Saint. David Hedison portrayed Bond ally and CIA agent Felix Leiter in both Live and Let Die and License to Kill. He popped up in the second-season Saint episode "Luella."
However, that is hardly the most interesting Bond link in that 1964 episode.
Jean St. Clair guests as an old woman named Miss Hill. She enters a scene and tells Simon Templar, "I'm so excited to be working for James Bond!" Moore's character raises an eyebrow in confusion. "You're not just teasing me, are you? You really are James Bond," she says disappointedly. Moore shakes his head as the Saint's trademark halo appears above him.
Some writer had true foresight when that was filmed in 1963. Months later, Moore would appear on the British comedy series Mainly Millicent. He guest starred as James Bond.
But Jean St. Clair was first to make the connection. Two seasons later, St. Clair would again return to The Saint for another role in "The Saint Bids Diamonds." She played Madame Calliope, a fortune teller. How fitting.