I've been on a bit of a tear the last few weeks watching his movies from the 60s and 70s. Currently I am working my way through the unfortunately named Harry Palmer series after watching Zulu, and the original Alfie. I must say I never appreciated him enough. The man has had a fantastic career. He has had a wide variety of roles, but has mostly kept his everyman, South London accent.
Born Michael Joseph Micklelwhite he changed his name to Michael White after moving to London after first trying regional theater. His agent told him there already was an actor using the name Michael White. Caine tells the story that he was talking to his agent from a phone booth in Leicester Square, and there was a marquee for a showing of The Caine Mutiny across the square. He joked that if there had been a tree in the way he'd have been known as Michael Mutiny.
I was reading his Wiki page and it notes that he served in combat with the Royal Fusiliers during the Korean War, and his unit fought off numerous Chinese human wave attacks. There isn't much about his time in the service, but he has commented several times that surviving those assaults caused him to have a live life for the most attitude once he returned to civilian life, and that seeing the callous sacrifice of life made him turn away from Communism.
Please share your favorite Michael Caine roles. I'll throw out Dirty Rotten Scoundrels where he was paired with Steve Martin. Fabulous movie.
Born Michael Joseph Micklelwhite he changed his name to Michael White after moving to London after first trying regional theater. His agent told him there already was an actor using the name Michael White. Caine tells the story that he was talking to his agent from a phone booth in Leicester Square, and there was a marquee for a showing of The Caine Mutiny across the square. He joked that if there had been a tree in the way he'd have been known as Michael Mutiny.
I was reading his Wiki page and it notes that he served in combat with the Royal Fusiliers during the Korean War, and his unit fought off numerous Chinese human wave attacks. There isn't much about his time in the service, but he has commented several times that surviving those assaults caused him to have a live life for the most attitude once he returned to civilian life, and that seeing the callous sacrifice of life made him turn away from Communism.
Please share your favorite Michael Caine roles. I'll throw out Dirty Rotten Scoundrels where he was paired with Steve Martin. Fabulous movie.
