Michael Caine

Call for celebs to save Cockney rhyming slang ‘which could be gone in 20 years’

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There are fears Cockney rhyming slang will die out ‘within 20 years’ if no action is taken

When Andy Green was born in London’s East End in the 1950s, Cockney rhyming slang was still in its heyday.

But the 62-year-old, self-described ‘minor celebrity from a micro niche’, says Cockney will die out within 20 years unless we act to preserve its relevance – which is why he started ‘Speak Cockney Day’.

Andy is passionate that our sense of identity, including where we are from, helps to define who we are, and wants to promote the importance of nurturing the Cockney dialect to maintain its relevance.

This is why he hopes to get East-Endcelebrity figures such as Adele, Russell Brand, Michael Caine, Danny Dyer and Madness’ lead singer Suggs on board with promoting its continued use.

The proud East-ender, who grew up in Balfron Tower social housing in Poplar, Tower Hamlets, and has written two books about London, has set out a seven-step manifesto to save his beloved East End lingo.

As well as getting London celebs on board, the manifesto includes promoting Cockney’s cultural inclusivity, maintaining its relevance to young people, and getting London’s museums and institutions to take part.

The construction of rhyming slang involves replacing a common word with a phrase of two or more words, the last of which rhymes with the original word; for example, ‘apples and pears’ for ‘stairs’, or ‘bees and honey’ for ‘money’.

It is thought villains invented the dialect so the police wouldn’t understand them.

In almost all cases they would omit the second word of the phrase, so the rhyming word would be implied to listeners in the know, while eluding those who weren’t.

Source: Call for celebs to save Cockney rhyming slang ‘which could be gone in 20 years’

“If by Rudyard Kipling – Read by Michael Caine

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Michael Caine termed this poem as one of his favorites. His father read it to him once, and to him it summed up what a man should be! It inspired him a lot.

“If” by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself  when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream — and not make dreams your master
If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings — nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And — which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son!

Mostly British film fest in SF celebrates ‘My Generation’ and  ‘Four Weddings’

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2019 Mostly British film fest in S.F. features an anniversary “Four Weddings and a Funeral” party and screening.

Are you a big fan of the Hugh Grant-Andie MacDowell romantic charmer “Four Weddings and a Funeral”? If so, RSVP pronto and come out to toast the 25th anniversary of Mike Newell’s film.

The Feb. 16 champagne and cookies reception is part of the Mostly British Film Festival, an annual celebration of films from Britain, Ireland, Australia, India and South Africa. The “Wedding” party pops its cork at  5:30 p.m. at the Laureate Bar and Lounge, 444 Presidio Ave., in San Francisco, and is followed by a 6 p.m. screening of the romantic comedy classic at the Vogue Theatre

This year’s fest bubbles over with many worthwhile films, including the entertaining documentary “My Generation.” Michael Caine serves as a welcoming narrator and guide through David Batty’s colorful first-person accounts of the rebellious ’60s in England. Roger Daltrey, Paul McCartney and Twiggy are a few of the featured celebs recalling that raucous and creative period. It screens 3:45 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Vogue

Source: Mostly British film fest in SF celebrates ‘Four Weddings’

Book of the Week, Blowing the Bloody Doors Off, Ep1

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Michael Caine reads his memoir of a life in the movies and shares some lessons for actors.

Hollywood legend and British national treasure Sir Michael Caine, now 85, shares stories from screen and stage alongside some of the lessons and skills that life has taught him.

In episode one he gets some advice from John Wayne and also looks back on his time as an evacuee and later as a soldier on National Service.

Written and read by Michael Caine
Abridged by Jill Waters and Isobel Creed
Produced by Jill Waters 
The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4

Listen to audio at BBC4: BBC Radio 4 – Book of the Week, Blowing the Bloody Doors Off, Episode 1

British Films