{"id":187263,"date":"2023-09-23T09:34:04","date_gmt":"2023-09-23T09:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsneednews.com\/?p=187263"},"modified":"2023-09-23T09:34:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-23T09:34:04","slug":"acting-veterans-sir-michael-caine-and-john-standing-reunite-on-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsneednews.com\/lifestyle\/acting-veterans-sir-michael-caine-and-john-standing-reunite-on-stage\/","title":{"rendered":"Acting veterans Sir MICHAEL CAINE and JOHN STANDING reunite on stage"},"content":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s a sunny late-summer afternoon and I\u2019m being entertained by a nonagenarian (Sir Michael Caine, 90) and an octogenarian (John Standing, 89).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Full disclosure: I\u2019ve been married to the latter for\u00a040 years. I have a ringside seat \u2013 ostensibly interviewing them both about The Great Escaper, a new film they are starring in alongside the late Glenda Jackson.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Our talk, inevitably, meanders back and forth in time.\u00a0The\u00a0two share a comfortable shorthand: a shared history of parallel careers forged in different jet streams, yet both belonging to the same industry.<\/p>\n
The film is an emotional rollercoaster based on a true story about an ordinary character called Bernard Jordan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A\u00a0Second World War\u00a0veteran, born in 1924, he left his care home in Hove aged 89 without telling his wife or carers where he was heading.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Before he was a sir: Michael Caine in 1967. Now aged 90, Caine, who made his name in Zulu in 1964, is our greatest living British actor<\/p>\n
Determined to pay his respects at the 70th D-Day commemorations as he\u2019d left it too late for a place on the official Royal British Legion trip, he upped sticks and made his way to Normandy alone.<\/p>\n
When he was eventually tracked down, and on returning home, he was astonished to find he\u2019d become a media sensation, nicknamed \u2018the Great Escaper\u2019: the British press had rejoiced in his journey.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was a hero, lauded for his determination and sense of duty, all of which was slightly bewildering to someone who didn\u2019t even own a mobile phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the film, Bernie (Michael Caine\u2019s character) meets another Second World War veteran, Arthur, played by my husband, on the ferry. They form a touching friendship.<\/p>\n
Michael and Johnnie have worked together in two other films over the years, but otherwise are ships that have passed in the night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While Michael became probably our greatest living British movie star, my husband trod the boards and devoted his life to the stage, doing Private Lives with Dame Maggie Smith on Broadway for six months in 1975 and being nominated for an Olivier at the National for his performance in Simon Gray\u2019s Close of Play in 1979.<\/p>\n
Together, during the twilight of their careers, they have become firm friends.<\/p>\n
Michael and Johnnie were approached with the script just before lockdown. It was inevitably delayed, which gave both of them time to learn and prepare.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018The reason I got the part was because 30 years ago the director, Ollie [Oliver] Parker, came and saw me in No\u00ebl Coward\u2019s Hay Fever in the West End,\u2019 says Johnnie.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Michael in his 1964 breakout role in Zulu. Michael played a posh officer in the film and credits the role with making his career<\/p>\n
\u2018I can only assume he saw something in my performance that he stored away. Although what it was I have no idea, as I play a drunk in this film [The Great Escaper].\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘In Hay Fever I was a solid, middle-class husband. It\u2019s strange how this industry works. Sometimes you get a job based on something you did years ago.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I was sitting at home writing a book,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018A thriller. Murder mystery. I was about to be 90 and hadn\u2019t done a movie in three years. I was reconciled to the fact no one was going to offer me a part again.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Oh, so was I,\u2019 agrees Johnnie. \u2018I thought that was it. And along came William Ivory\u2019s glorious script featuring three old codgers. God given. The last time Michael and I worked together was in The Eagle Has Landed \u2013 when was that?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u20181976,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018Nearly 50 years ago. Mind you, everything seems to be 50 years ago these days.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018We did do one other film together, darling,\u2019 remembers Johnnie \u2013 \u2018X Y & Zee, with Elizabeth Taylor, although I played an incredibly camp hairdresser and didn\u2019t have any scenes with you.\u2019<\/p>\n
What was she like to work with, I ask them.<\/p>\n
\u2018Heavenly,\u2019 replies Johnnie.<\/p>\n
\u2018Terrific,\u2019 says Michael.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
John Standing at Michael’s house for this interview last month. During the twilight of their careers, the two actors have become firm friends<\/p>\n
\u2018She was on top of it all the time,\u2019 says Johnnie. \u2018Despite the fact she used to hurl Bullshot cocktails down her throat every lunchtime. She\u2019d come back on set, and boom! She\u2019d have all cylinders firing.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s weird,\u2019 recalls Michael. \u2018Acting with Glenda again after nearly 50 years, I had no idea she was poorly [Jackson died in June]. We played husband and wife. I was totally stunned when she died ten days after we had a private preview of the film.<\/p>\n
‘She was a total trouper. She didn\u2019t seem ill or anything. We were in The Romantic Englishwoman together [in 1975] and back then we were both young. She was a beautiful young girl.\u2019<\/p>\n
Johnnie and Michael did national service. Michael fought in Korea, having served in Iserlohn, West Germany, as part of the postwar army of occupation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Johnnie was in England for his first six months. He was commissioned in the 60th Rifles and sent to M\u00fcnster, also in West Germany, for his final 18 months, to deter the Russians from crossing over.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both agree it was the making of them. \u2018I think every young man should be made to do it,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018It truly makes a man of you.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I agree totally,\u2019 says Johnnie. \u2018It was a life-changer.\u2019<\/p>\n
Pre-acting for both of you? \u2018Cor blimey, yes,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018I only became an actor after I left the army. I did rep for nine years then got a movie and was like, F**k this! I love films more. I liked the money and all.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I did the complete reverse,\u2019 says Johnnie. \u2018After the army I went to art school as I wanted to be a painter. My parents got worried that I wouldn\u2019t make a living from that career and would end up being a struggling artist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘I fell into acting and was stuck in the theatre mainly because the Standing family had been doing it for generations. I was sort of indoctrinated into thinking the theatre was where it was at.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Michael and John star as Second World War veterans Bernard and Arthur in The Great Escaper<\/p>\n
‘I did my last play five years ago. No more. I can\u2019t remember all that text at my age.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Sod the theatre,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018With films you don\u2019t have two hours of dialogue to learn. Two minutes and then cut. I like that.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Me too,\u2019 says Johnnie. \u2018The dream.\u2019<\/p>\n
Which brings me to the issue of #MeToo: intimacy coordinators; people put in place to ensure performers and other production personnel adhere to safety protocols. What did they think of them?<\/p>\n
\u2018Really?\u2019 says Michael. \u2018Seriously? What are they? We never had that in my day. Thank god I\u2019m 90 and don\u2019t play lovers anymore is all I can say. In my day you just did the love scene and got on with it without anyone interfering. It\u2019s all changed.\u2019<\/p>\n
Between them, Michael and Johnnie have six children and seven grandchildren who surely inform them about what is deemed politically correct?<\/p>\n
\u2018They do,\u2019 says Johnnie. \u2018All the time. And I try my hardest.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018So do I,\u2019 agrees Michael. \u2018But it\u2019s dull. Not being able to speak your mind and not being able to call anyone \u201cdarling\u201d.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m endlessly being told I can\u2019t say this or that because it\u2019s inappropriate,\u2019 says Johnnie. \u2018And I still call everyone \u201cdarling\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u2018Oh yes,\u2019 says Michael.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s like learning a new language,\u2019 says Johnnie. \u2018And we are trying our best.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I try,\u2019 says Michael, \u2018but it\u2019s hard. I like to learn from friends who are younger than me.\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Michael and John have worked together in two other films over the years, including The Eagle Has Landed in 1976<\/p>\n
\u2018I love being around young people,\u2019 says Johnnie. \u2018The secret to old age is to mix with people much younger than yourself. Which is why I love spending time with my nine-year-old grandson, who makes me watch him play Minecraft for hours \u2013 and gets furious when I call it Witchcraft by mistake.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Yes,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018Because as you get older, you inevitably think about dying, but as soon as you get grandchildren, your focus shifts. You think about them. You want to go on living because they are so much a part of you, and you want to live for ever to see what they do with their lives. You just want to keep going.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018My four grandchildren are everything,\u2019 agrees Johnnie.<\/p>\n
I point out that the difference between now and then is that today so many people just want to be famous. The gene pool Michael and Johnnie belonged to when they both began was solely based on talent and was much smaller.<\/p>\n
\u2018You knew everyone in those days,\u2019 reflects Johnnie. \u2018It wasn\u2019t about being famous. It was about working. And being good at what you did. And to keep working. Fame was a by-product. Not the aim. That\u2019s what\u2019s changed.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Yeah,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018Being famous wasn\u2019t what it was about. It was about the work. That\u2019s all changed in our lifetime.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018My big break was Zulu,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018They were looking for a cockney corporal and they thought I\u2019d be great, but when I got there for the audition the director said, \u201cSorry, Michael, it\u2019s been cast.\u201d I was used to being rejected, but it was a long walk to the door, let me tell you.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u201cCan you do posh?,\u201d he asked me on my way out. \u201cOf course I can do posh! I\u2019ve spent nine years in rep, doing every bloody accent under the sun.\u201d So, I got the job playing a posh officer and it made my bloody career. When I started out, I never thought about being in competition with other actors. All I cared about was being as good as I possibly could be.\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Michael and his wife Shakira in 1973. Michael and Shakira share one daughter, Natasha Caine<\/p>\n
\u2018I did too,\u2019 says Johnnie. \u2018There was no competition except with oneself.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I never cared,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018I always knew there would be other actors better than me and worse than me. I took no notice whatsoever. I just got on with it.\u2019<\/p>\n
Getting on with it is something they are both rather good at. Secrets for staying alive?<\/p>\n
\u2018A massive telly,\u2019 laughs Johnnie. \u2018We both love watching endless sport.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Oh, yes. Younger wives, no snacking and wear trainers at all times,\u2019 adds Michael. \u2018And you have to be careful not to fall down.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I fall down all the time,\u2019 says Johnnie.<\/p>\n
\u2018Me too,\u2019 says Michael.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s a bugger,\u2019 says Johnnie. \u2018Suddenly you are crashed on the pavement.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I know,\u2019 says Michael. \u2018Happens all the time.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018You have to just get up and carry on.\u2019 says Johnnie.<\/p>\n
Long may they both continue to think like that. Old school. God bless them.<\/p>\n