In the original dustsheet. Navy cloth binding with gilt title on the spine.

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A lovely story

It’s been a long journey for Maurice Micklewhite – born with rickets in London’s poverty-stricken Elephant & Castle – to the bright lights of Hollywood. With a glittering career spanning more than five decades and starring roles which have earned him two Oscars, a knighthood, and an iconic place in the Hollywood pantheon, the man now known to us as Michael Caine looks back over it all. Funny, warm, honest, Caine brings us his insider’s view of Hollywood (where there’s neither holly nor woods). He recalls the films, the legendary stars, the off-screen moments with a gift for story-telling only equalled by David Niven. Hollywood has been his home and his playground. But England is where his heart lies. And where he blames the French for the abundance of snails in his garden. A plaque now celebrates him at the Elephant in London. His handprint is one of only 200 since 1927 to decorate the hallowed pavement outside that mecca of Hollywood stars, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. A very British star, The Elephant to Hollywood is the remarkable full circle of Michael Caine’s life.

Review: This book gives an excellent view of the English language film industry post-WW2 to the current day. What is striking about this book is the relationship between Caine and influential Jews. There are barely more than 2 pages without a Jewish name given. It is obvious that without his great friendship and warmth towards Jews he would never have made it. A fact I suspect Caine wouldn’t deny. Amusingly he talks a bit at the beginning about Jews and confirms a few obvious facts regarding their intelligence and dedication towards education. Also striking especially earlier in the book is the prevalence of Jewish names in positions of authority but outside the limelight as stars. These days, we can find heavy Jewish influence on the silver screen as well as behind it – Natalie Portman, ad infinitum. I have also noticed that many non-Jewish actors marry media Jews – Kate Winslet etc. Is this an extension of the Caine kosher strategy to achieve success for Goyim?

Throughout the book Caine frequently troupes out his anti-European credentials. Does he do this because he knows he must continue being successful or because he truly believes in them? We have his horror and disgust at the flourishing apartheid South Africa when he made Zulu and at other points hostility to a local Englishman in one village who objected to being invaded by Indians. Lately Caine has been feeling sorry for human scum that reside in his original area of Elephant and Castle and naturally he completely ignores any racial explanation for this and goes straight to left-wing ideas about 100% bad environment. If Caine likes London so much and has so much respect for his parents, why does he so resolutely support ideas and Jewish media which advocate mass immigration and multi-racialism? His London is now nothing more than a shell occupied by millions of non-Europeans. Indeed Caine has so much contempt for his own ancestry that he is married to an Indian. This is an insult to both his and her people as well as nature itself. I believe Maurice wrote this book himself and the language is very straightforward and readable. Whilst Caine is clearly not highly educated he certainly isn’t stupid either. This also comes over in the narrative. All in all, there is an old man’s honesty in this book which is very endearing. I read the first one 15 yrs ago and can say that this one also has more depth. It’s true we get a re-telling of many of the funny and interesting stories but this is harmless if you haven’t read the first one for a long time or not at all. Caine is also very likable and there lies in general the reason for his success as well as, of course, a good dollop of plain luck. Twice his career has been resurrected by his friends, albeit largely Jewish ones who must consider him a good guy.

Other Reviews – uproarious and unflinching ― Mail on Sunday
Mr Caine is a charming raconteur….he writes with a quality that has grown rare among memoirists: good cheer ― New York Times

Michael Caine’s second work of memoir brims with his gift for genial anecdote, but this time there’s a hint of sadness as he looks back ― Sunday Times

To read Caine is to be in the company of an amiable, sentimental man who has achieved great success – and happiness – without appearing to be in the least smug. ― Daily Mail, John Preston

A truly incredible life story. ― The Sun

Not much mileage in discussing warm receptions then, unless it’s to wonder if a literary festival crowd has ever sounded more fulfilled than when Michael Caine finally said “you’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” and “not a lot of people know that” halfway through his appearance in Cheltenham last weekend. ― The Times

you can hear his distinctive voice throughout, his fans will enjoy the ride. ― Choice

a gold standard celebrity who makes the modern sort look cheap ― The Times

most memorable… This follow-up might have seemed over-indulgent were it not for his self-deprecating vignettes, told in a voice as distinctive as his spoken one, that led to critical comparisons with David Niven’s classic, The Moon’s a Balloon. ― Independent

Michael Caine fans will love his ‘blow the bloody doors off’ autobiography. ― Fabulous

Michael Caine’s second work of memoir brims with his gift for genial anecdote, but this time there’s a hint of sadness as he looks back ― Sunday Times

Not much mileage in discussing warm receptions then, unless it’s to wonder if a literary festival crowd has ever sounded more fulfilled than when Michael Caine finally said “you’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” and “not a lot of people know that” halfway through his appearance in Cheltenham last weekend. ― The Times

you can hear his distinctive voice throughout, his fans will enjoy the ride. ― Choice

a gold standard celebrity who makes the modern sort look cheap ― The Times

most memorable… This follow-up might have seemed over-indulgent were it not for his self-deprecating vignettes, told in a voice as distinctive as his spoken one, that led to critical comparisons with David Niven’s classic, The Moon’s a Balloon. ― Independent

Michael Caine fans will love his ‘blow the bloody doors off’ autobiography. ― Fabulous

A jolly amble from the Elephant & Castle to international stardom…there’s plenty of satisfying name-dropping from a gold-standard celebrity who makes the modern sort look cheap. ― Saturdays Times, Christmas Round-Up

the peeks behind the silver screen make the book light up ― New Statesman

Most compelling autobiography since David Niven’s The Moon’s A Balloon… he has brought this fascinating story up to date. ― RTE Guide, Ireland

warm-hearted and well written autobiography. Despite his fame this celebrity has always kept his feet firmly on the ground and this enjoyable book shows how he did it. ― Sunday Express

Caine makes acting look easy. He has a similarly light touch as a raconteur. ― Daily Telegraph

Sir Michael Caine CBE has been Oscar-nominated six times, winning his first Academy Award for the 1986 film Hannah and Her Sisters and his second in 1999 for The Cider House Rules. He has starred in over one hundred films, becoming well-known for several critically acclaimed performances including his first major film role in Zulu in 1964, followed by films including The Ipcress Files, Get Carter, Alfie, The Italian Job, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Educating Rita, and more recently The Dark Knight, Is Anybody There? and Harry Brown. He was appointed a CBE in 1992 and knighted in 2000 in recognition of his contribution to cinema. Married for more than 45 years, with two daughters and three grandchildren, he and his wife Shakira live in London and Surrey.