For fans of the legendary British actor Michael Caine, we’ve included a quick run down of some of the more important places both from his real life in London and some of the iconic films that made him such a household name.
Maurice Micklewhite as he was originally called was born on 14 Urlwin Street, just off Camberwell Road in South East London, an area which today would be described as “extremely impoverished”. He grew up in squalid conditions with shared accommodation and even a shared outside loo. In one of his many interviews, he said probably the first acting role he had was convincing the rent-man that his mother wasn’t in, as paying the rent was such a struggle for his family.
Moving on, Michael did quite well at the Wilson’s Grammar School located on Mollison Drive, Wallington, gaining a certificate in 6 subjects when he left school at 16.
Michael’s acting talent was first seen at the drama group run in the Walworth Methodist Church in 54 Camberwell Road (SE5 0EN). He played a robot to good reviews and thus a talent was born.
One of the early defining films for Michael was the 1966 classic, Alfie, which was set and filmed in London…where else. So we arrive at 22 St Stephen’s Gardens in Bayswater which was the home of the loveable rouge and rather promiscuous Alfie.
Another early film for Michael was the The Ipcress File which featured in various locations, but possibly the most well known was Harry Palmer’s flat which is located at 9 Stanlake Villas, Shepherd’s Bush.
Of course we couldn’t have a rundown of Michael Caine locations without mentioning the film which probably most people know and contains some of the most quoted lines in film history – The Italian Job. Much of this was filmed abroad, but Charlie’s flat was in London really located at 18 Denbigh Close in Notting Hill. For those who remember it, this is where Laura (Charlie’s real girlfriend) throws the clothes of his rather unofficial girlfriends out of the flat window.
That gives you a little bit of a rundown of how Michael Caine influenced and was influenced by London.
