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Post by Charles Bronson on May 2, 2020 20:07:08 GMT
I've just read that it's 21 years today that we lost Oliver Reed who died during the making of Gladiator, while he was enjoying a day off on Malta.
Oliver took the part in the film after consulting his very good friend director Michael Winner who told Oliver it would be a good part for him to be remembered by, as Oliver was obviously in the twilight of his career at the time.
I'm reading Winner's autobiography at the moment (And very good it is too.) Michael helped Oliver a lot over the years, he said Oliver especially in the early years was actually shy and sensitive rather than being an extrovert, but of course heavy drinking was the ruin of him.
I've been trying to watch some of Michael's films recently and I've got hold of the first film Olivier did with Winner 'The System' I hope to watch that this coming week.
Michael Winner says in his book that he was the only show biz person in attendance at Oliver's funeral.
Charles.
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Post by Dirty Epic on May 2, 2020 20:27:50 GMT
He sure was a maverick and interesting character regarless of whether or not you approved of his alcoholism and personality etc. RIP Oliver.  |
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Three Litre
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Post by Three Litre on May 2, 2020 20:49:13 GMT
He sure was a maverick and interesting character regarless of whether or not you approved of his alcoholism and personality etc. RIP Oliver. Drink and drugs ruined so many careers. |
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Post by Arthur Pringle on May 2, 2020 23:10:18 GMT
I used to have a copy of Reed's autobiography 'Reed All About Me', from memory there aren't many tales of hellraising in it at all.
Anyone searching his name on youtube might assume he was a professional drunk rather than an actor, though I doubt Reed would care, he didn't seem like someone who took acting too seriously.
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Post by Charles Bronson on May 2, 2020 23:31:19 GMT
It was disgraceful that certain chat shows at the time, Michael Aspel's for starters allowed Oliver to go on in the state he was in. I hope that wouldn't be allowed these days.
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 3, 2020 7:52:39 GMT
A couple of weeks back I read 'What Fresh Lunacy is This?: The Authorised Biography of Oliver Reed' by Robert Sellers
It was the title of 'What Fresh Lunacy is This?' which drew me to the book. That, and it was some kind of deal, and I've always liked Oliver Reed on screen.
It's fairly interesting but also a bit wearisome. Reed himself sounds like a nightmare. Ocassionally charming but more often than not a selfish, womanising (when young), bullying, violent, drunken bore. His only leisure pursuit was going to the pub with a bunch of cronies. A great actor but an appalling human being.
As time went by his drinking got worse. and worse. A boorish unpleasant man when drunk although, as the reader is regularly reminded, he could be charming when sober.
Amazingly even at his most dysfunctional he was still able to turn in some powerful performances and could, when he wanted, stay sober for protracted periods of filming.
Unsurprisingly he was dead by age 61, having collapsed during a binge, and poised to possibly ressurect his career with his performance in Gladiator.
In a way, I wish I hadn't read it, as it took a substantial amount of the gloss off the positivity I'd felt about him and his career.
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Three Litre
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Post by Three Litre on May 3, 2020 8:14:50 GMT
A couple of weeks back I read 'What Fresh Lunacy is This?: The Authorised Biography of Oliver Reed' by Robert Sellers
It was the title of 'What Fresh Lunacy is This?' which drew me to the book. That, and it was some kind of deal, and I've always liked Oliver Reed on screen.
It's fairly interesting but also a bit wearisome. Reed himself sounds like a nightmare. Ocassionally charming but more often than not a selfish, womanising (when young), bullying, violent, drunken bore. His only leisure pursuit was going to the pub with a bunch of cronies. A great actor but an appalling human being.
As time went by his drinking got worse. and worse. A boorish unpleasant man when drunk although, as the reader is regularly reminded, he could be charming when sober.
Amazingly even at his most dysfunctional he was still able to turn in some powerful performances and could, when he wanted, stay sober for protracted periods of filming.
Unsurprisingly he was dead by age 61, having collapsed during a binge, and poised to possibly ressurect his career with his performance in Gladiator.
In a way, I wish I hadn't read it, as it took a substantial amount of the gloss off the positivity I'd felt about him and his career.
A very insightful post Lord Em! |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2020 10:10:25 GMT
I think he collapsed after drinking silly amounts of alcohol and trying to arm wrestle sailers in a pub!
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Vienna
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Post by Vienna on May 3, 2020 11:02:23 GMT
I think he collapsed after drinking silly amounts of alcohol and trying to arm wrestle sailers in a pub! Does anybody remember this Smith and Jones sketch from around 1985? It starts about 40 seconds into the video   Vi |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2020 12:06:14 GMT
Don’t remember that but I do remember the capers on Michael Aspinall show lol
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