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Sir Michael Caine: The Biography
With more films to his name than years—including Alfie, Get Carter, A Bridge Too Far, The Cider House Rules, The Quiet American, and The Weatherman—a prestigious knighthood, and countless awards, Michael Caine is one of the most esteemed actors of his day. He has maintained the balance of critical respect and unswerving popularity and has established himself as a performer of the highest rank. In this in-depth biography, William Hall sketches the picture of a man who has known his share of hard times, including the poverty of his youth and the pain of discovering his long-lost brother in a psychiatric hospital. He also reveals a man who has achieved his success through a mixture of innate talent, cool charm, barbed wit, and shrewd intelligence.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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About the author
William Hall
11 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
William Hall was biographer, broadcaster and critic. He is the author of more than a dozen biographies, including Michael Caine, James Dean, Frankie Howerd, Larry Adler and Dick Emery.
William Hall was biographer, broadcaster and critic. He is the author of more than a dozen biographies, including Michael Caine, James Dean, Frankie Howerd, Larry Adler and Dick Emery.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 17, 2024
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it immensely. It makes me want to watch more Michael Caine movies besides just Alfie! I think I would like Mr . Caine as a friend! Very down to earth and entertaining.
May 18, 2017
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; MAY 17, 2017
Narrator: Andrew Wincott
Thoroughly enjoyed following Sir Maurice Micklewhite along his journey through an impoverished childhood, the hard road to success and yet able to preserve his humanity and have a happy home life. It is always fun (for me, anyway, though some people, oddly enough, consider it name-dropping) to hear about these struggling actors struggling together back when they were desperate and penniless, practically. In Caine's case, his fellow struggling actors were Terence Stamp, Roger Moore, Peter Sellers et al. The first two would congregate at their favorite bar with Caine, other out-of-work actors and hopefuls, all waiting for That Role to be offered to them.
I enjoy biographies and usually read/listen to both the biography and the autobiography. I find I like seeing their lives through their own eyes as well as through someone else's, in many cases the latter being more informative. I will borrow Caine's autobiography, What's It All About next.
Andrew Wincott did an exceptional job narrating the book, employing his own voice for the narrative and imitating Caine's when the actor was speaking. Wincott did the other actors' voices, too, though they weren't as good as his Caine impersonation (but his Roger Moore did sound a little like him).
Narrator: Andrew Wincott
Thoroughly enjoyed following Sir Maurice Micklewhite along his journey through an impoverished childhood, the hard road to success and yet able to preserve his humanity and have a happy home life. It is always fun (for me, anyway, though some people, oddly enough, consider it name-dropping) to hear about these struggling actors struggling together back when they were desperate and penniless, practically. In Caine's case, his fellow struggling actors were Terence Stamp, Roger Moore, Peter Sellers et al. The first two would congregate at their favorite bar with Caine, other out-of-work actors and hopefuls, all waiting for That Role to be offered to them.
I enjoy biographies and usually read/listen to both the biography and the autobiography. I find I like seeing their lives through their own eyes as well as through someone else's, in many cases the latter being more informative. I will borrow Caine's autobiography, What's It All About next.
Andrew Wincott did an exceptional job narrating the book, employing his own voice for the narrative and imitating Caine's when the actor was speaking. Wincott did the other actors' voices, too, though they weren't as good as his Caine impersonation (but his Roger Moore did sound a little like him).
May 16, 2016
I have always quite liked Mr Caine in the movies that I have seen. Unfortunately, the introduction by the author, Mr Hall, came across as so sycophantic that I was immediately suspicious of anything that followed. I probably would have preferred Mr Caine's own efforts to document his life even if it meant involving a ghost writer. Still looking for a rival to Mr David Niven. As I didn't manage to summon up the interest to finish the book, I am unable to recommend at this time. 'When the unit moved back to civilisation that bar would be dismantled and disappear as quickly as it had been built"
May 30, 2017
Intriguing actor, that's why when I spot the book I said to myself I have to have it. So who's Michael Caine? In his own words:
"I had no middle-age crisis, no hang-ups. I'm stable because I have never have to lie. I've worked hard for my success, so I have no guilt about it. Funny thing, but when I was poor people used to say to me, 'If you ever become rich, boy, money won't make you happy.' But now I am full of money, and perfectly happy. I have all I ever wanted - to become a millionaire, to be a big film star, to become the best actor I could possibly be. I sleep like a baby, I don't think I dream at all. And I beat the system, didn't I?"
"I had no middle-age crisis, no hang-ups. I'm stable because I have never have to lie. I've worked hard for my success, so I have no guilt about it. Funny thing, but when I was poor people used to say to me, 'If you ever become rich, boy, money won't make you happy.' But now I am full of money, and perfectly happy. I have all I ever wanted - to become a millionaire, to be a big film star, to become the best actor I could possibly be. I sleep like a baby, I don't think I dream at all. And I beat the system, didn't I?"
August 18, 2016
Don't think I can finish this book. So far it's all just about name dropping and rounding off the film titles, half of which I've watched, and talking about people who I've never heard of. Started getting a bit more interesting when it started talking about his childhood, concentrating on his mother... but honestly I found that I switched off and stopped taking it all in. Maybe just not written right for me as I would very much like to know more about Michael Caine, but for now... I can wait.
December 17, 2017
I found this book rather dull at times and slightly repetitive. Caine doesn't come across as the most female friendly person, but I realise that the man is a product of his times and upbringing.
There is no doubt that the man has had a interesting life and career, but I don't feel this book conveys it quite well enough.
There is no doubt that the man has had a interesting life and career, but I don't feel this book conveys it quite well enough.
May 31, 2014
This was a digital library loan and I really didn't like the narrator so gave up.
February 8, 2025
Fawning. Boring
February 9, 2019
2.5 stars
Think the fella who did the Marilyn Monroe one could have possibly done a better job.
It read alright.. But got a tad dull after a while.. sir Michael caine is so interesting... But i felt this didn't do him justice...
2019 reading challenge - A favourite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge - 2015 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge - A non-fiction book
Think the fella who did the Marilyn Monroe one could have possibly done a better job.
It read alright.. But got a tad dull after a while.. sir Michael caine is so interesting... But i felt this didn't do him justice...
2019 reading challenge - A favourite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge - 2015 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge - A non-fiction book
October 21, 2019
Such an interesting life story
March 9, 2025
A solid trudge through Caines life and career, which reminded me of some of his films I’ve yet to rewatch (the Harry Palmer trilogy principally) and quite a few I’ve wisely steered clear of.
For me his best film is Get Carter, while the best film in which he appears is Children Of Men.
Rather a lot of emphasis on money and how much Caine deserved his wealth and success. I don’t dispute that but it doesn’t especially add to the narrative to keep on saying this (even if it’s Surmichael being directly quoted a lot of the time, which it is!)
For me his best film is Get Carter, while the best film in which he appears is Children Of Men.
Rather a lot of emphasis on money and how much Caine deserved his wealth and success. I don’t dispute that but it doesn’t especially add to the narrative to keep on saying this (even if it’s Surmichael being directly quoted a lot of the time, which it is!)
July 30, 2020
A Good Depiction Of My Favorite Actor, Michael Caine
A Good biography of my favorite actor, Michael Caine with insight into his rise to fame in the British class system of the 60's.
A Good biography of my favorite actor, Michael Caine with insight into his rise to fame in the British class system of the 60's.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews