Michael Winner

[Wetherby Pond]

Originally posted by Clinton Morgan@Jun 26 2005, 08:48 PM I've never seen any of his films but I do remember when 'Dirty Weekend' came out he was driven to put a full page ad in the arts section of 'The Sunday Times' full of quotes from around the world praising the film.

He does this with every film he makes, and they're hilarious - not least if you look at the small print and find out that they're quotes from things like the Wolverhampton Gazette.

Gloriously, the full-page ad for Bullseye (by universal consent one of the worst films ever made) once ran directly opposite a much smaller ad for a revival of Robert Bresson's A Man Escaped in Time Out. The Bullseye ad was crammed to bursting with gushing quotes from less than wholly reliable sources. The Bresson ad had one qupte. but it was from someone with an unimpeachably heavyweight critical reputation asserting that it was one of the greatest films ever made.

And guess which ad had the most impact?

[d712]

The Nightcomers isn't very good.

[smudge]

Originally posted by Wetherby Pond@Jun 28 2005, 09:31 PM He does this with every film he makes, and they're hilarious - not least if you look at the small print and find out that they're quotes from things like the Wolverhampton Gazette.

Hey ! I'll have you know I work blessed hard on those reviews Wetherby !

SMUDGE

[Wetherby Pond]

Terrible director he may be, but I have to say I rather warmed to Winner when I heard this anecdote.

Apparently Marlon Brando was being interviewed and asked to name his favourite of all the directors he worked with - and he said "Michael Winner". Utterly gobsmacked by this, the interviewer asked why, and was told "Because when we started shooting, he came up to me and said 'Mr Brando, you are a great actor. Since I am not a great director, please feel free to do anything you like'."

[smudge]

Originally posted by Wetherby Pond@Aug 21 2005, 07:07 PM Terrible director he may be, but I have to say I rather warmed to Winner when I heard this anecdote. Apparently Marlon Brando was being interviewed and asked to name his favourite of all the directors he worked with - and he said "Michael Winner". Utterly gobsmacked by this, the interviewer asked why, and was told "Because when we started shooting, he came up to me and said 'Mr Brando, you are a great actor. Since I am not a great director, please feel free to do anything you like'."

Respect !

SMUDGE

[jacobean]

Done well for an apparently crap director though, hasn't he?

[Marky B]

Originally posted by jacobean@Aug 22 2005, 05:27 PM Done well for an apparently crap director though, hasn't he?

I am not a great fan of him,but Hannibal Brooks was watchable and Death Wish became a seminal classic.
Ta Ta
Marky B

[Wetherby Pond]

Originally posted by jacobean@Aug 22 2005, 06:27 PM Done well for an apparently crap director though, hasn't he?

He's independently wealthy, which helped enormously (especially at the early stages in his career when he was turning out things like The Cool Mikado and the travelogue This Is Belgium - which was famously shot in East Grinstead)

[MrDrakesDuck]

Originally posted by ollie@Jun 26 2005, 10:21 AM Michael winner does get a lot of stick,and deservedly so,but here are some of the films he's done that i like. The System, The Jokers, (thanks Freddy) The Games, Hannibal Brookes, I'll Never forget what's'name. one i would like to see is The Nightcomers. Cheers Ollie.

The thing I like most about The System is the terrific Searchers song on the opening credits.

Have you seen West 11 with Eric Portman?

That was quite good I seem to remeber.

[desbarron]

Wes11 that briungs back memories for the second time this year. I sent MW the letter below and receive a short but charming reply. Hope it amuses you. Wouldn't mind getting a DVD of West 11 if any one has one.
Dearest Mr Winner, if I may.

A little tale to explain why for the last forty or so years I have defended you at every opportunity against the barrage uf unwarranted derisory coments you have suffered from the press.

As a young actor of 16 I recieved a call for a few days work on West 11.The call was own dress which was to be smart but casual. On arrival at Elstree I was directed to a large dressing room to be shared with 6 others. These extras were very unpleasant acting like divas.
They turned out to be the only unpleasant people I met in 10 years in theatre tv and films.
I had appeared smart but casual, as ordered, wearing the compulory Sunday Night Surrey uniform.

Check shirt, silk cravat, M&S green woolen cardigan, Cavalary twill trousers and brown suede shoes. I felt the Bees Knees ready for anything. Till I walked into the dressing room.

The 6 Divas, all male, were dressed in suits and ties. The at once started to attack my appearance. I was close to tears. They kept saying the call was smart but casual and look at you.

This went on for hours or it certainly seemed like hours.

When out of the blue the doors swung open and instepped what was for all purposes either my guardian angel or Cecil B.

In fact it was the great Michael Winner, not much older that me, sporting a wonderful fur coat and large cigar. I feel sure you were wearing something else but the coat and cigar is all I remember.

You with out hesitation and with wonderful projection reversed the situation.
Turning me from a tearful 16 year old to a star.

You announced that this was a smart but casual call and that I was only one correctly dressed. You sent me to the stage and the others to wardrobe making it clear that their daily rate would be reduced.

It was too much of a coincidence, you must have heard what was happening to me and became the avenging angel.

Thereafter followed four days of wonder watching the great Eric Portman, Diana Doors, Alfred Burke etc. at work. It was a party scene.

On the third day I was involved in a love making scene, fully clothed, with a lovely young girl. You again were supportive seeing this 16 year olds embarrassment on an open stage.

What can I say but thank you so much. It took over forty years but I have done it.

[Freddy]

Nice one desbarron, Winner's earlier stuff contain some of my favourite enjoyable films. I also get the feeling he is a good bloke.
Anymore 'extra' memories
Freddy