Oliver Reed. - Britmovie

Harleybloke · 12-02-2008, 02:58 PM

I've just finished reading 'Evil Spirits' his biography.

It was a great read and left you with very mixed feelings about his hell raising, from 'self inflicted' to 'pity' to 'Good on him' a worthy Read if you're a fan.

Shocking that more of his stuff isn't on DVD.

Moor Larkin · 12-02-2008, 04:18 PM

There was a fairly comprehensive documentary about him, based around that big house he bought to preserve, with his wife? Was it near Dorking? Some years ago I wandered into a pub in Dorking and the small bar had some engraved plaques or something on the wall and it was called 'Ollie's Reach'. The landlord said it was all to do with the big man and some pub game or other he like to play. This was in the late 70's / early 80's so his days in that pub might have been some years before. I forget the rest. I was having a drink.

The documentary left me with a sense that he didn't seem to have done much harm to anyone, even his wife/partner, who seemed fairly at ease with the memories. I was surprised how keen he had apparently been about preserving old England - I would have guessed he just as soon would have smashed it up. His performances on chat shows were wild but never unpleasant. I think the only time I felt embarrassed 'for him' (as if!) was some weird movie where he played some kind of sailor/captain. The film was more incoherent than he was personally, on Parky!

Harleybloke · 12-02-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moor Larkin

There was a fairly comprehensive documentary about him, based around that big house he bought to preserve, with his wife? Was it near Dorking? Some years ago I wandered into a pub in Dorking and the small bar had some engraved plaques or something on the wall and it was called 'Ollie's Reach'. The landlord said it was all to do with the big man and some pub game or other he like to play. This was in the late 70's / early 80's so his days in that pub might have been some years before. I forget the rest. I was having a drink.

The documentary left me with a sense that he didn't seem to have done much harm to anyone, even his wife/partner, who seemed fairly at ease with the memories. I was surprised how keen he had apparently been about preserving old England - I would have guessed he just as soon would have smashed it up. His performances on chat shows were wild but never unpleasant. I think the only time I felt embarrassed 'for him' (as if!) was some weird movie where he played some kind of sailor/captain. The film was more incoherent than he was personally, on Parky!

Try the book Moor, I guess you'd like it.

batman · 12-02-2008, 04:24 PM

I met the great man on a couple of occasions, once on a film set where he was very professional regarding the work and very sociable with everyone there. The second time was at a charity do. He was a real gent to me and to everyone else. He played the fool for those who seemed to expect it and I think that was where he was coming from re those TV appearances etc. Top man!

batman · 12-02-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harleybloke

Try the book Moor, I guess you'd like it.

"Evil Spirits" is good, but avoid his 'autobiography' "Reed All About Me" - very disappointing.

Harleybloke · 12-02-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batman

"Evil Spirits" is good, but avoid his 'autobiography' "Reed All About Me" - very disappointing.

Ta Bats!

dremble wedge · 12-02-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harleybloke

I've just finished reading 'Evil Spirits' his biography.

I think that there's a fine book to be written about Ollie, but unfortunately I don't think 'Evil Spirits' is it.

There are some funny stories in there but the filmography is so slapdash that it did make me wonder about the veracity of the rest of the content.

Checking the films an actor made is a relatively simple process and if you can't get that right...

batman · 12-02-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dremble wedge

I think that there's a fine book to be written about Ollie, but unfortunately I don't think 'Evil Spirits' is it.

There are some funny stories in there but the filmography is so slapdash that it did make me wonder about the veracity of the rest of the content.

Checking the films an actor made is a relatively simple process and if you can't get that right...

I enjoyed it.

dremble wedge · 12-02-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batman

I enjoyed it.

And oddly enough I really enjoyed 'Reed All About Me' - it's somehow comforting to envision the great man making much of it up in a pub

batman · 12-02-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dremble wedge

And oddly enough I really enjoyed 'Reed All About Me' - it's somehow comforting to envision the great man making much of it up in a pub

I wouldn't be surprised if he did!

Windthrop · 12-02-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batman

"Evil Spirits" is good, but avoid his 'autobiography' "Reed All About Me" - very disappointing.

It is no worse than alot of other autobios of the time IMHO. I have an affection for the book because I found a signed, mint copy in York's Oxfam for £3. It is worth rather more now.

jacobean · 13-02-2008, 09:49 AM

I read Evil Spirits and quite enjoyed it - it's a shame the film studios were frightened away by his off-screen antics as he was known by many to be a complete pro when working. Also the costs of maintaining Broome Hall and his reluctance to work in Hollywood meant that the few films he made in the 70's and 80's were little known.

Reed All About Me was written during the 70's when more people were interested in his drunken antics than his films. Lots of stories including Keith Moon blowing up hotel rooms, showing how big his willy was, drinking 130 pints in 24 hours, and serving Alex Higgins a glass of whiskey containing aftershave.

francesgumm · 13-02-2008, 10:02 AM

Olly would hav been 71 today. It's also Robbie Williams birthday who i think looks quite like Mr. Reed

m35541 · 13-02-2008, 10:09 AM

I saw him at the NFT in the late 1980's for the premier of Castaway. Afterwards Nic Roeg, Amanda Donohoe and him appeared on stage with Derek Malcolm (then the London Film festival organiser. Reed was late and basically did a quick lurch right down an isle and onto the platform. He was off his trolley (although it was about 2pm in the afternoon) and pretty funny.

dremble wedge · 13-02-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francesgumm

Olly would hav been 71 today. It's also Robbie Williams birthday who i think looks quite like Mr. Reed

I'm sure he's celebrating somewhere...

12-02-2008, 02:58 PM	#1
Harleybloke is A potential lottery winner Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 1,724 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Oliver Reed. I've just finished reading 'Evil Spirits' his biography. It was a great read and left you with very mixed feelings about his hell raising, from 'self inflicted' to 'pity' to 'Good on him' a worthy Read if you're a fan. Shocking that more of his stuff isn't on DVD. __________________ .....You wouldn't hear it, if they were shooting at me with howitzers!

12-02-2008, 04:18 PM	#2
Moor Larkin has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North West Frontier Posts: 1,609 Country: iTrader: (0)	There was a fairly comprehensive documentary about him, based around that big house he bought to preserve, with his wife? Was it near Dorking? Some years ago I wandered into a pub in Dorking and the small bar had some engraved plaques or something on the wall and it was called 'Ollie's Reach'. The landlord said it was all to do with the big man and some pub game or other he like to play. This was in the late 70's / early 80's so his days in that pub might have been some years before. I forget the rest. I was having a drink. The documentary left me with a sense that he didn't seem to have done much harm to anyone, even his wife/partner, who seemed fairly at ease with the memories. I was surprised how keen he had apparently been about preserving old England - I would have guessed he just as soon would have smashed it up. His performances on chat shows were wild but never unpleasant. I think the only time I felt embarrassed 'for him' (as if!) was some weird movie where he played some kind of sailor/captain. The film was more incoherent than he was personally, on Parky! __________________ http://theatrical-mcgoohan.mysite.orange.co.uk/

12-02-2008, 04:24 PM	#4
batman is The Night Sleeper Chief Member OBME Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norwich Posts: 15,156 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (10)	I met the great man on a couple of occasions, once on a film set where he was very professional regarding the work and very sociable with everyone there. The second time was at a charity do. He was a real gent to me and to everyone else. He played the fool for those who seemed to expect it and I think that was where he was coming from re those TV appearances etc. Top man! __________________ I'm a water horse! BAT-QUIZ 6 HAS JUST BEEN POSTED IN THE COMPETITION THREAD - SATURDAY 5TH JULY 2008

13-02-2008, 09:49 AM	#12
jacobean has no status. Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hurstpierpoint Posts: 210 Country: iTrader: (0)	I read Evil Spirits and quite enjoyed it - it's a shame the film studios were frightened away by his off-screen antics as he was known by many to be a complete pro when working. Also the costs of maintaining Broome Hall and his reluctance to work in Hollywood meant that the few films he made in the 70's and 80's were little known. Reed All About Me was written during the 70's when more people were interested in his drunken antics than his films. Lots of stories including Keith Moon blowing up hotel rooms, showing how big his willy was, drinking 130 pints in 24 hours, and serving Alex Higgins a glass of whiskey containing aftershave. Last edited by jacobean; 13-02-2008 at 09:53 AM.

13-02-2008, 10:09 AM	#14
m35541 has no status. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London Posts: 82 Country: iTrader: (0)	Ollie Reed I saw him at the NFT in the late 1980's for the premier of Castaway. Afterwards Nic Roeg, Amanda Donohoe and him appeared on stage with Derek Malcolm (then the London Film festival organiser. Reed was late and basically did a quick lurch right down an isle and onto the platform. He was off his trolley (although it was about 2pm in the afternoon) and pretty funny.

13-02-2008, 10:02 AM	#13
francesgumm is Judy Garland\'s real name. Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: london Posts: 279 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Olly would hav been 71 today. It's also Robbie Williams birthday who i think looks quite like Mr. Reed

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