Alfie

[Gibbie]

I haven't seen this one. When I was recently in London, I saw ubiquitous posters of Jude Law.



Have come across a review that says this is located in New York? I am now convinced that Hollywood moguls are politically set out to colonize Britain into the 51 state. wink Oh, my!

More convinced that original talent has left town!



I get a feeling that this may be another retro retread in the sales bin by January.



Thoughts?

[deckard]

Hi Gibbie! Y'know I think you're right, if they had their way The movie moguls in america would start calling British film studios names from Los Angeles suburbs!I think also that somewhere in Hollywood is a dept. where all they do is go through lists of films each week that were released 30,40 or 50 years ago deciding on what remake to do this week that would make money,the unfortunate film going public notwithstanding! Leave the oldies alone, scold You know it makes sense. Regards, Decks.

[Steve Crook]

Gibbie:

I haven't seen this one. When I was recently in London, I saw ubiquitous posters of Jude Law.

Have come across a review that says this is located in New York?

[snip]

Was that a review by someone in Hollywoodland who realised it wasn't set in Hollywood so named the only other place where they knew that movies were made? :)



Steve

[Gibbie]

Hi Decks!



I think you've got their "number"!



Regards,

Gibbie

[Gibbie]

It was a review from over here. Can't remember which writer/publication.



If they have that wrong than there is a bad real case of entertainment solipsism going around.

[Steve Crook]

Gibbie:

It was a review from over here. Can't remember which writer/publication.

If they have that wrong than there is a bad real case of entertainment solipsism going around.

I Googled for Alfie "Jude Law" "New York" and that found a few people who think it's set in New York.

Has anyone actually seen it yet? It was filmed in London but was it set in new York?



Steve

[DB7]

Sure some of it was shot in Manchester (doubling for NY).

[daisymum]

They're saying on the Velvet Rope Forum that "Cher's title song for the remake of 'Alfie' has reportedly been dropped after test audiences laughed at the track...Regardless, producers aren't taking any chances so British singer Joss Stone has re-recorded 'Alfie' for the new version, starring Jude Law." This has also ignited a thunderstorm of controvery as to whether it was Cher or Cilla Black who sang on the original soundtrack. Anyway, if you want to read all about it, it's here.

[deckard]

I think we should have a site poll as to what members really think of remakes in general, basically I mean remakes of British films. Such questions as 1) do you think any remake has been better than the original, 2) do you think classic films should be (a)definately remade? left well alone? or something like that, What do you think? and is it feasible DB7? :) Regards, Decks.

[Gibbie]

deckard:

I think we should have a site poll as to what members really think of remakes in general, basically I mean remakes of British films. Such questions as 1) do you think any remake has been better than the original, 2) do you think classic films should be (a)definately remade? (left well alone? or something like that, What do you think? and is it feasible DB7? :) Regards, Decks.

As an American speaking here, I wish they'd leave the original Brit movies alone.



I vote 2B - any classic should be left alone.



PS - Manchester as New York. You were right Decks!



I remember seeing a very bad film with Terrance Stamp that was shot in Vancouver, BC and was supposed to be the American Midwest. I know both and it was neither. It's like the notion of geriatric psychedelia...Not a good thing.

[Steve Crook]

daisymum:

They're saying on the Velvet Rope Forum that "Cher's title song for the remake of 'Alfie' has reportedly been dropped after test audiences laughed at the track...Regardless, producers aren't taking any chances so British singer Joss Stone has re-recorded 'Alfie' for the new version, starring Jude Law." This has also ignited a thunderstorm of controvery as to whether it was Cher or Cilla Black who sang on the original soundtrack. Anyway, if you want to read all about it, it's here.

Cher sang the theme song on the American release. But who sang it on the British release? Was it Cilla? After all, she did record it with Burt Bacharach. But some say it was actually Millicent Martin (who appeared in the film) singing the theme on the British release.



The IMdB only credits Cher. I'm fairly sure that's wrong but further research is needed before it can be corrected.



Steve

[Gibbie]

Cilla Black sang the original British version, as Cher did the original US version. I've read that Cher did the new version, but during pre-screening test, her version was laughed at and was replaced (caution: that may be an urban legend, but Joss Stone was ultimately chosen for the final remake theme).



Also, the jazz saxaphonist Sonny Rollins did the original incidental music to Bacharach;s theme, along with guitar great Kenny Burrell.



As a kid, I remember hearing Dionne Warwick's version on the radio. She was the primary musical voice of Bacharach's music here. It is considered the standard here.

[ollie]

"Also, the jazz saxaphonist Sonny Rollins did the original incidental music to Bacharach;s theme, along with guitar great Kenny Burrell."



Also with great british jazz pianist Stan Tracey!

cheers Ollie. wink

[DB7]

A very flimsy excuse methinks.

'Alfie' Flop Blamed on Election

Jude Law's latest film Alfie's poor results at the American box office have been blamed on last week's presidential election. The remake of the 1966 Michael Caine comedy only took $6.5 million during its opening weekend, and landed at number five in the US box office charts. Wayne Llewellyn, the president of distribution at Paramount, blamed the Republican triumph of George W. Bush's re-election may clash with the character's womanizing behavior. Llewellyn says, "It could be the mood of the country right now. It seems to be the result of the election. Maybe they didn't want to see a guy that slept around."

[Hackett]

And the other 100,000,000 American's who don't, can't or won't vote just think it's crap.

[aphra]

Last night I listened to a recording I made in 1963 from the Third Programme (I think it was then) of the original radio play by Bill Naughton called ALFIE ELKINS AND HIS LITTLE LIFE. Alfie, an insignificant, sniffing little lorry driver, was played by the late, diminutive Bill Owen. After the radio play came a stage production with John Neville as Alfie, and thirdly came the Michael Caine film. And now what an amazing transformation - from Bill Owen to Jude Law! I know who I would choose...

[Hackett]

aphra:

Last night I listened to a recording I made in 1963 from the Third Programme (I think it was then) of the original radio play by Bill Naughton called ALFIE ELKINS AND HIS LITTLE LIFE. Alfie, an insignificant, sniffing little lorry driver, was played by the late, diminutive Bill Owen. After the radio play came a stage production with John Neville as Alfie, and thirdly came the Michael Caine film. And now what an amazing transformation - from Bill Owen to Jude Law! I know who I would choose...

I saw Adam Faith play ALFIE on stage at the Birmingham Alex Theatre a few years ago in a very good production. I've also read the book which is enjoyable and would love to hear your recording. It would be interesting to see how they handled the abortion on 1963 radio. Denholm Elliot's performance as the abortionist in the 1966 "ALFIE" is superb for me he steals the picture.