Made many more bad movies than good but was a character who lived life to the full. Enjoyed his re-counting of his running battles with the tax man. RIP.
I liked some of his films from the 60's where he often had Oliver Reed playing the lead and had his own ensemble of actors like Harry Andrews and Michael Horden. The Jokers, The System and I'll Never Forget What's isname. They were fun films. He also directed a remake of The Big Sleep and filmed some of it in Avery Hill Park. Both Robert Mitchum and James Stewart were there, I remember it well as it caused quite a commotion locally at the time. Didn't much care for the Deathwish series or much of his later stuff but he was a good raconteur and enjoyed a full life.
He was a character. A friend of mine always says he's never jealous of another man's car or house, but a beautiful women, now that's another matter. Mr Winner had way more than his fair share of them.
I turned down two. They wrote to me, saying that Tony Blair would like to honour me with an OBE for my work with the Police Memorial Trust [the charity Winner founded in 1984]. I replied: "Thank you so much, I will continue my good work unrewarded." Then they wrote again, asking me to reconsider. I sent that one back too. My friend Don Black, the lyricist, rang me afterwards and said: "Why have you turned down the OBE? I've got one and so has Joan Collins." I said: "My case rests."
Didn't think he was much of a film maker although I agree The Jokers was OK but I did like his sly sense of humour and the ability to laugh at himself. Also true he knew how to pull a bird Jenny Seagrove was a looker when she was young so he did rather well there.
True Grandpa which kind of reinforces my opinion that most people like "characters" providing they are not dangerous or offensive and Winner was neither
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Fair play for that and RIP MW!
Loved Winner, he was a superb wind-up merchant and did not take himself seriously.
Didn't much care for the Deathwish series or much of his later stuff but he was a good raconteur and enjoyed a full life.
Rip
Is it true you turned down an OBE?
I turned down two. They wrote to me, saying that Tony Blair would like to honour me with an OBE for my work with the Police Memorial Trust [the charity Winner founded in 1984]. I replied: "Thank you so much, I will continue my good work unrewarded." Then they wrote again, asking me to reconsider. I sent that one back too. My friend Don Black, the lyricist, rang me afterwards and said: "Why have you turned down the OBE? I've got one and so has Joan Collins." I said: "My case rests."