One of the most well-known James Bond Mandela Effects comes from the 1979 film Moonraker. It revolves around a character named Dolly, a small, blonde woman with pigtails who becomes the love interest of the towering, steel-toothed henchman Jaws. Many fans vividly recall a small but crucial detail about her appearance—her braces.
However, if you watch Moonraker today, you’ll notice something strange…
The Memory: Dolly Wore Braces
In the film, there is an iconic scene where Dolly and Jaws first meet. Jaws has just survived a cable car crash, and as he picks himself up, he turns to see Dolly standing before him. The two lock eyes, and in an almost comical moment, they smile at each other, instantly forming a connection.
Many fans remember this scene clearly, recalling that Dolly was wearing braces on her teeth. This detail is significant because it supposedly added to the humor of the moment. Jaws, known for his massive metal teeth, smiles, and then Dolly, also wearing metal braces, smiles back—creating an instant bond between them. It’s a small yet impactful detail that made their relationship feel even more charming and ironic.
But here’s the problem…
The Reality: Dolly Never Had Braces
If you watch Moonraker today, Dolly does not have braces in this scene—or in any part of the film. She simply smiles with a perfectly normal set of teeth.
This revelation has shocked James Bond fans worldwide, as many swear they remember the braces being there. Some claim it was one of the defining aspects of her character, making her pairing with Jaws even funnier and more memorable. Yet, no official footage, screenshots, or behind-the-scenes evidence exists to confirm that Dolly ever had braces.
The scene in Moonraker when Dolly smiles at Jaws makes no sense unless she has braces. It's one of the best examples of the so called Mandela effect
— Dronetek (@TheDronetek) May 24, 2023
Stumbled across a weird and pretty obscure Mandela effect, called Dolly’s braces.
— Rich Myles (@GamingYourWay) May 2, 2023
The end of Moonraker when Jaws is getting out of the crashed cable car and finds his love, I would swear she had braces, it was a whole parallel to his metal teeth.
But apparently not. pic.twitter.com/7lYx47S2vC
Just discovered and watching a lot @OMGTheWhyFiles today ! And the biggest mine blowing thing (great Channel have a watch) is the Mandela effect that Dolly (Jaws’s girlfriend) doesn’t have braces in Moonraker I REMEMBER THE BRACES mind blown !! pic.twitter.com/EBfHFeRNwl
— Bunny Galore (@BunnyGalore) October 4, 2022
The ultimate Mandela effect, Dolly never wore braces #Moonraker #mandellaeffect mind blown pic.twitter.com/YXylGn4iBh
— Graeme McKenzie 🏴 (@theGreyMack) October 23, 2021
This mandela effect thing creeps me out. The idea of a huge amount of people sharing the same collective false memory is super strange to me. For me, Dolly in Moonraker NEVER had braces, but that doesn't change the fact that there's thousands of people who remember the opposite! pic.twitter.com/RdDmubTnyk
— Matthew 🛸 (@DamnCoffee007) March 3, 2019
Possible Explanations
- Parody and Pop Culture Influence
- Many references to Moonraker over the years may have exaggerated Dolly’s appearance, making it easy for people to falsely remember her with braces.
- The contrast between Jaws’ metal teeth and Dolly’s supposed braces seems so perfect that it feels like it should have happened—even if it didn’t.
- The Mandela Effect at Work
- The fact that so many people remember the braces, despite no evidence of them existing, suggests a classic case of the Mandela Effect.
- Could this be a case of a reality shift where some people recall a different version of events?
What Do You Remember?
Did you remember Dolly with braces, or have you always known she had normal teeth? This Mandela Effect continues to baffle James Bond fans—let us know what you think in the comments!