Dominique 'Domino' Derval (Claudine Auger)
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Datastream
Actress: Claudine Auger
Character: Dominique 'Domino' Derval
Movie: Thunderball
Date of Birth: 26th April 1941
Place of Birth: Paris, France
Vital Statistics: 36-23-37
Trivia: Worked with Terrence Young twice, first on "Thunderball" then
independent picture "Triple Cross"
Pleased To Meet You
Bond bumps into the lovely Domino while diving in the Bahamas.
After making his rendezvous with her in the depths,
Bond jet-sets across the harbour of Nassau to a spot of
lunch
and a poolside
chat.
Caught In The Act
Domino is a sultry and passionate young lady who, after warming
to 007, cannot help but long for escaping the clutches
of her Uncle. Bond quickly falls for her charm and
innocence and she repays Bond in kind after the Disco Volante
has beached, blown up and Bond's mission is complete! The pair
are last seen being rescued from a life raft. |
"James Bond is the hero of our times - hard, cynical and strong... He would be a challenge for any woman, and I'm sure this role will be the turning point of my career."
| Profile
Domino is a lonely, kept mistress of Emilio
Largo, the villainous SPECTRE Number Two. Growing up without
a real family, Domino
finds
herself
adopted and imprisoned by her own Uncle. While she lives
a seemingly exotic life, jet-setting from one tropical location
to the next, she is, in reality, nothing more than a prisoner.
She
is warm hearted a and immensely attached to her brother -
a NATO bomber
pilot. When Bond produces evidence of Largo's part in her
brother's death, she turns on her guardian and will stop
at nothing
to help Bond in his mission to prevent nuclear disaster
- and seek revenge with Largo. |
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Memorable Quotes
Bond: "My dear, uncooperative Domino."
Domino: "How do you know that? How do you know my friends call me Domino?"
Bond: "It's on the bracelet on your ankle."
Domino: "So... what sharp little eyes you've got."
Bond: "Wait 'til you get to my teeth."
Domino: [After killing Largo] "I'm glad I killed him"
Bond: "You're glad?"
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Biography
Born on 26 April 1941 in Paris, France, Claudine Auger originally spelled her surname Oger, but changed it early in her career to phonetically anglicise it. In 1958, at the age of mere 17, Auger won Miss France Monde, a secondary award bestowed upon French representatives to the Miss World competition. She went on to be the first runner up in the Miss World competition that very same year.
By age 20, with natural beauty and a
friendly personality, she won the hearts of various movie
producers. Her first film role was in 1960 and on Marcel
Carné drama, "Terrain Vague".
From small roles in French television
and cinema, Claudine was flung into big-screen stardom
with James Bond's 1965 outing, "Thunderball" -
but it took several twists of fate to land the part.
Faye Dunaway was first offered the role,
but she declined so that she pursue a role in 1967's "The
Happening".
Raquel Welch was then signed, but was released as a favour
by producer Cubby Broccoli so she could appear
in the 1966 production "Fantastic Voyage".
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Julie Christie seemed like a perfect choice
until she arrived for a meeting disheveled and uncomfortable.
As the start of filming approached, director Terence Young and
the producers launched a worldwide talent hunt. A French film
writer suggested they test Auger. She wowed the producers with
a near perfect audition.
In the original draft James Bond's latest leading
lady called for an Italian character named Dominetta Palazzi. The
role of Domino was rewritten to accommodate the young French
actress. After securing the role, Auger took
regular lessons with Au Pair, London in order to brush up her
English. While her English
skills were above expectations on set, she was ultimately dubbed
as her voice was so low. She also helped design the risqué bathing
suits she wears in the film. For many of the underwater scenes,
Auger was doubled by Evelyn Boren, the wife of underwater cameraman
Lamar Boren.
Domino was a hit among cinemagoers,
and hailed as the most well rounded character in a Bond girl
yet. After "Thunderball", Auger was in
demand in Europe and the UK but failed to make an impact on Hollywood.
Notable performances to her name include a role in "Triple
Cross" - another Terence Young film - starring Christopher
Plummer and Yul Brynner.
In 1966 Claudine was nominated for a Golden Laural award in
the new faces category. She also appeared on the cover of LIFE
International Magazine on May 31, 1965.
