You are in the Special Features section - Margaret Nolan, Carry on films, Goldfinger, A Hard Day's Night, Budgie, James Bond, The Beatles

Digger asks actress Margaret Nolan a few questions. 

 

Margaret Nolan

 

 

 

Some images courtesy of and © copyright www.rexfeatures.com

 

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Digger: Can you describe your childhood growing up in Hampstead and Waterford? As a very young child, were you effected by the war?

Maggie: We were taken to Waterford to my mother's family farm during the war so it didn't affect us so much.

Digger: Is your Irish heritage important to you?

Maggie: Yes, I'm proud of it.

Digger: When did you know that you were destined to become a model and an actress?

Maggie: I never thought about it. I was planning to be a teacher; it was on meeting Tom (Kempinski) that I was introduced to the idea.

Digger: When did you start to become aware of your beauty?

 

Maggie: Only recently when I look at my old photos!

 

Digger: Can you tell us about your early glamour work with Harrison Marks?

 

Maggie: There's nothing much to tell - it wasn't my idea particularly but was told it was a way into the film business and I didn't do it for long, it's just that the photos sure got around!

 

Digger: You've worked with some of the greats - The Beatles, Roger Moore, Sean Connery, the Carry On team, Spike Milligan, Morecambe and Wise.

Which roles have given you the greatest pleasure and happiest memories and which ones stretched you as an actress?

Maggie: I preferred theatre to anything and did some very interesting work, particularly at the Ambiance Theatre.

 

 

 

 

The Persuaders with Tony Curtis

 

 

 

Digger: What roles did you not get that you would like to have played?

Maggie: I suppose I could have done something more interesting in film but was more focused on television.

Digger: You appeared in two of the most important films of the sixties - A Hard Day's Night and Goldfinger. What was it like to be in such demand as an actress and did you enjoy the fame that came with it?

Maggie: Neither of them made me famous. They were just jobs to me; although, if I'd been better advised, I would have signed with Saltzman & Broccoli as they were very keen on me. I was very young and not at all 'savvy' and I really didn't have anyone to advise me.

 

 

 

 

 

Maggie appeared in the casino scene in 'AHDN' with Wilfrid Brambell

Maggie featured throughout  the opening credits of Goldfinger
 as well as playing the character Dink. She was also the Golden Girl
 on the poster (Shirley Eaton having been the one who was painted
 gold in the movie itself.)

 

 

 

Digger: How would you describe the sixties?

Maggie: It was a great time to be around for me. So much was happening in the Arts and especially being in the theatre felt like 'where it was at'.

 

Digger: Can you share some of your specific memories and experiences of working with Sean Connery and The Beatles?

Maggie: Sean was reserved and unaffected; the Beatles were exciting - they wanted me to be the hostess on 'The Magical Mystery Tour' bus but I was doing something else and couldn't! John Lennon actually rang my agent!

 

 

 

 

Maggie being filmed for the Goldfinger opening credits

Maggie with Sean Connery

 

 

 

Digger: Please tell us about your passion for art and how does your creativity manifest itself?

Maggie: I have been into art since secondary school but only took it up seriously in Spain. I draw a lot and am venturing into painting seriously for the first time just now! I loved doing the photomontages - they came to me 'out of the blue' and I haven't done any more since the series I exhibited in Spain and will be showing here soon!

Digger: Have things improved for women in the entertainment industry, models and actresses, in your lifetime?

Maggie: It's something I hope to find out soon as I haven't done any acting for 20 years but am about to do a film! I'm pretty sure things have changed for the better for women but not quite as much as I'd like yet! (we're still too concerned about being attractive rather than active!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digger: You appeared regularly in Budgie with Adam Faith. Was that as enjoyable to make as it is to watch?

Maggie: I loved doing 'Budgie'. Adam Faith was great fun - I got on very well with him and he introduced me to Neil Young! Also I was privileged to be directed by three really talented directors - Mike Lindsay-Hogg, Mike Newell and James Goddard- all of whom I worked with again!

Digger: The Carry On films are an important part of British culture and you appeared in six. How proud of this are you?

Maggie: Very proud.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digger: Which do your prefer and which is harder to do - comedy or drama?

Maggie: Always comedy - drama can sweep you along but comedy you have to work at.

Digger: If you had a choice between film, TV or stage, which would you choose and why?

Maggie: I loved theatre - it was so 'organic' as the results of your efforts were immediately obvious in audience response.

Digger: What are your biggest achievements in life and what would you still like to accomplish?

Maggie: My two gorgeous, talented and clever sons. I would like to achieve a creative act which truly represents me, be it a part or an artwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digger: You retired from the entertainment industry a long time ago. Why did you move to Spain? Did you miss the acting or did you prefer your new life?

Maggie: I wanted to give my two boys the opportunity to experience a more natural and creative environment. I had lived a rather chaotic and busy life and longed for the peace and quiet of the countryside (I still do!) I was very involved with our life there and it wasn't until my sons grew up and left home that I longed to be creative artistically again.

Digger: Can you describe yourself in a few words?

Maggie: Bright and energetic with empathy for others and a great love for nature.

Digger: What is most important to you?

Maggie: To fulfill my potential.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digger: If you were to have a dinner party with your dream guests, living or dead, real or fictional, who would you invite and why?

Maggie: Barack Obama and his wife for their incredible hope and faith in change; Leonardo Di Caprio for his gorgeous looks and his real concerns for the environment; Oscar Wilde because he was so clever and witty; Bette Midler - for a laugh; Prince Charles - I love his ideas on the environment and although he's upper- crusty, I think he's very pro-active on behalf of important issues; Margot Fonteyne - I adored her dancing - my first love was ballet. 

Digger: What makes you laugh? 

 

Maggie: American comedy.

 

Digger: What makes you sad? 

 

Maggie: People and animals suffering.

 

Digger: What makes you angry?

 

Maggie: People's greed  and stupidity.

 

Digger: What makes you hopeful?

 

Maggie: The youth.

 

Digger: How would you envisage the state of the earth and mankind in a century from now?

Maggie: I have no idea.

 

Digger: What are your current projects and what do you have planned for the future?

Maggie: Getting my exhibition on and making a film - I've no other plans as yet.