The Italian Job 1969 site for the Italian Job movie fan,including the Italian Job music soundtrack,the Italian Job cast,Mini Cooper stuff and the Italian Job self-preservation society song

This Italian Job site is dedicated to Peter Collinson,Director of The Italian Job original 1969 film, who died aged just 44 on December 16th 1980 and to John Cooper CBE,who died aged 77,on Christmas Eve 2000 .Who was John Cooper i here you ask,John Cooper was the man behind the creation of the cool car that is,and was,the Mini Cooper



IN THE BEGINNING

The Italian Job was the brainchild of trendy 60's screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin.

It is said that inspiration for the Italian Job screenplay came from the brother of Troy Kennedy Martin,Ian.Ian's original idea was for a robbery set in the chaos of a typical London traffic jam.



Troy had other ideas,a sister living in Rome and believed filming the Italian Job in Italy would suit the script.However,the deciding factor could well have been the fact that he had learned of Turin's new computer controlled traffic centre.

And so the Italian Job was born.

THE PLOT

As for plot,tick all the boxes,;every heist movie principal is represented here.Mr Bridger (Noel Coward) is treated like royalty in prison and still manages to run the largest criminal empire in Britain. Mr Bridger is approached by recently released former inmate Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) to back a scheme to steal $4,000,000 in gold bullion arriving in Italy.

Do achieve the heist involves the ingenious rigging of the Turin traffic computer to cause the world's largest traffic jam and then the infamous getaway through Turin's alleys,lanes and sewers.Added to this,the plan has to be carried out right under the noses of the Mafia, who have already killed the originator of the plan, Beckerman (Rosanno Brazzi).

UNION JACK SHIRTS

However,the finished film was different in many ways from Troy Kennedy Martin's original ideas of how the Italian Job film should have been.Troy had wanted a more hard edged criminal underworld type film with a minimum amount of wit,ah,never mind eh!The rest,as they say is history.

LET CASTING AND FILMING OF THE ITALIAN JOB 1069 BEGIN

The Italian Job was made after a handshake from Charlie Bludhorn,the then owner of Paramount studios,who Michael Caine met whilst promoting Alfie,itself a Paramount movie.Charlie Bludhorn introduced himself to Michael Caine as "The Man who just bought Paramount -do you have any films you want to make?"

"BRITISH T-SHIRTS-ITALIAN JOB 1969 DESIGN

PARAMOUNT TO MAKE THE ITALIAN JOB 1969

With Paramount as their movie maker,they now needed a production company.Oakhurst a production company run by by Michael Deeley and Stanley Baker (Who'd starred with Caine in the 1964 film Zulu) were approached.However,Stanley Baker wasn't particularly interested in the project,so Deeley & Paramount went looking for a director.

Michael Deeley wanted Peter Yates an English film director and producer who'd directed Bullitt in 1968.Charlie Bludhorn,however,at Paramount wanted Peter Collinson and Bludhorn got his way- a decision that would lead to the return of Noel Coward,Collinson's godfather to the Big Screen for what would be Coward's final movie.

ITALIAN JOB CAST

Harry Baird - Big William
Timothy Bateson - the Dentist
Tony Beckley - Freddie
Margaret Blye - Lorna
Rossano Brazzi - Beckerman
Michael Caine - Charlie Croker
Stanley Caine - Coco
John Clive - Garage Manager
Noel Coward - Mr. Bridger
Barry Cox - Chris
Simon Dee - the Shirtmaker
Arnold Diamond - the Sr Computer Room Officer
Fred Emney - Birkinshaw
Richard Essome - Tony
John Forgeham - Frank
Lana Gatto - Mrs. Cosca
Irene Handl - Miss Peach
Benny Hill - Professor Peach
Alastair Hunter - Warder (Cinema)
George Innes - Bill Bailey
Frank Jarvis - Roger
David Kelly - the Vicar
John Le Mesurier - Governor
Franco Novelli - Altabini's Driver
Graham Payn - Keats
Robert Powell - Yellow
Robert Rietty - the Police Chief
Renato Romano - Cosca
David Salamone - Dominic
Michael Standing - Arthur
Raf Vallone - Altabani
Mario Volgoi - Manzo
Michael Ware - Rozzer

PRE-PRODUCTION-TURIN



Pre-Production began in Turin and it seemed that everyone wanted to help.Car giant Fiat were very welcoming & even tried to persuade the production team to use Fiats -offering as many as they needed and even tabling a hefty cash 'bonus' along with a Ferrari. The offer was turned down,as the BMC Mini was the star and it would have taken the nain 'British' element out of the movies theme.

UNION JACK SHIRTS,MUGS & OTHER UNION JACK MERCHANDISE

With Fiat's assistance,Turin opened their arms to the Italian Job's production crew -Turin was totally dominated by Fiat.

In stark contrast BMC,the then makers of the British Mini,were simply not interested in any way shape or form.The best BMC could offer was to sell the Italian Job's production team 6 Mini's at trade price,the team then had to buy 30 more at regular retail prices!!!

PETER COLLINSON'S GODFATHER JOINS THE CAST

With Michael Caine safely added to the Italian Job's cast list,director Peter Collinson persuaded his Godfather,the legendary Noel Coward to take the role of Mr. Bridger.

Noel Coward had been in self-imposed exile and living in Switzerland.Coward's health wasn't the best and he had difficulties learning his lines.Sadly,it was to be Noel Coward's final film appearance.

With these two, Michael Caine and Noel Coward on board it was a lot easier to find actors to fill the various other roles.With a colourful cast and principle photography completed the Italian Job film was well under way, despite it's meager budget.

ORIGINAL "BLOW THE BLOODY DOORS OFF" BUMPER STICKER

LOCATION,LOCATION,LOCATION

LORD CROCKER COLLECTS HIS ASTON MARTIN DB4

The scene where Charlie Croker(Lord) collects his Aston Martin DB4 following his releas from prison was filmed in an underground car park in Park Lane, London.

CHARLIE AND LORNA'S FLAT

A large part of The 1969 Italian Job was filmed in and around the streets of London. Croker & Lorna's flat was shot in the borough of Notting Hill.The flat actually belonged to a friend of the scriptwriter.

"YOU'RE ONLY SUPPOSED TO BLOW THE BLOODY DOORS OFF"

Sydenham Common in South London was the location for one of the most memorable scenes in the 1969 Italian Job film where Michael Caine delivers the now,oh so famous line,
"You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!!".

The actual line that Caine was supposed to say was "I only want you to blow the doors off",but Caine's magic shines through to produce one of the all time classic one liners!

How much explosive to use for the shot was not an exact science,although it probably should have been!! The explosion they produced was far larger than expected.As windows across Sydenham Common shattered,many of the crew legged it before the Police rolled up asking questions

UNION JACK SHIRTS-ITALIAN JOB 1969 THEME

THE ITALIAN JOB 1969 QUOTATIONS

UNION JACK T-SHIRTS,UNION JACK CLOTHING,UNION JACK THONGS,MUGS and UNION JACK STICKERS

GARAGE MANAGER: You must have shot an awful lot of tigers, sir.

CHARLIE CROCKER: Yes, I used a machine gun

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TAILOR: We haven't seen you for a while, sir.

CHARLIE CROCKER: No, I've been away.

TAILOR: Well,I'm glad you're out- er... back.


Rude cockney T Shirts by LIMEYBOY
View other Cockney T-Shirts

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PROFESSOR SINON PEACH: Are they big? I like 'em big

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LORNA: [after hearing a rapid knock at the door]
It's the Law, Charlie!

CHARLIE CROCKER: What you tell 'em?

LORNA: Charlie, would I tell them anything?

CHARLIE CROCKER: ...Yes you would

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CHARLIE CROCKER: You wouldn't hit a man with no trousers on, would you?

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COOL UNION JACK BLOW THE BLOODY DOORS OFF BUMPER STICKER

[Lorna picks Charlie up from prison]

CHARLIE CROCKER: This car belongs to the Pakistani ambassador!

LORNA: It does?

CHARLIE CROCKER: Typical, isn't it? I've been out of jail five minutes, and already I'm in a hot car.

LORNA: Charlie, I just wanted you to come out in style, baby

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CHARLIE CROCKER: It's a very difficult job and the only way to get through it is we all work together as a team. And that means you do everything I say.

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UNION JACK SHIRTS & ITALIAN JOB 1969 T-SHIRTS

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CHARLIE CROCKER: It's a very difficult job and the only way to get through it is we all work together as a team. And that means you do everything I say.

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CHARLIE CROCKER: You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

( The immortal line spoken after Arthur blows up a truck )

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CHARLIE CROCKER: What's the matter.

YELLOW: He says he wants to sit up in front with the driver!

COCO: I always get sick in the back.

YELLOW: Listen, if I go in the back, I'll get me migraine, I'll be out like a light.

CHARLIE CROCKER:You are not going to be sick. You are not going to have your migraine. And everybody is gonna sit in the back of the motor!

ARTHUR: Charlie, me in the back of the motor with my asthma?

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CHARLIE CROCKER: Hang on, lads; I've got a great idea.

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BRITISH FLAG T-SHIRTS & ITALIAN JOB 1969 SHIRTS

THE ITALIAN JOB

A car rally in aid of children charities

2008 RUN WILL START IN IMOLA ON OCT 24TH & FINISH IN BRIGHTON ON NOV 1ST

The Italian Job charity rally was launched in 1990 with the aim of raising money for children in a fun way.The Italian Job continues to raise funds in aid of national childrens charities with the 2008 Italian Job rally starting on October 24th

So,if you're over 21 years old register below and get involved in a driving adventure through some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe,
whilst rasing funds in aid of children charities.

The only other requirement's that you drive a Mini or a classic car from the 1969 Michael Caine film,The Italian Job.

We have raised £ 1,960,210.25 for children so far! ( 100% GOES TO THE CHARITIES )

Register now and help THE ITALIAN JOB RALLY reach the £2 million mark!

REGISTER FOR THE ITALIAN JOB 2008

PROFESSOR SIMON PEACH

ARE THEY BIG? I LIKE 'EM BIG!

Professor Simon Peach AKA Benny Hill was recruited as the computer genius who's job was to paralyse the computerised traffic system in Turin

COOL BLOW THE BLOODY DOORS OFF BUMPER STICKER

Lyrics To "Get A Bloomin' Move On" AKA The Self Preservation Society

To make the Italian Job 1969 Movie more English, large sections of the lyrics to "Get a Bloomin' Move On" are in the evocative Cockney rhyming slang.

We are the self-preservation society, the self preservation society

We are the self-preservation society, the self preservation society

Put on your almond rocks and daisy roots

Brush your Hampstead Heath, wear your whistle-and-flute

Lots of lah-de-dahs and Cockneys here

Look alive and get out of here

Get your skates on mate, get your skates on mate

No bib around your Gregory Peck today, hey!

Drop your plates of meat right on the seat

This is the self-preservation society, the self-preservation society (repeat etc)

This is the self-preservation society, the self-preservation society (repeat etc)



Cockney Translation!

Almond rocks = Socks

Daisy roots = Boots

Hampstead Heath = Teeth

Whistle-and-flute = Suit

Plates of Meat = Feet

Lah-de-dahs = Upper Class posh folk

Gregory Peck = Neck

WHAT IS COCKNEY RHYMING SLANG?

Cockney rhyming slang is not a specific language but a collection of phrases as used by Cockneys & other Londoners.

SO,WHAT'S A COCKNEY ME OLD CHINA?

A true Cockney is someone born within the sound of Bow Bells-St Mary-le-Bow Church in Cheapside, London.

However the term Cockney is now also more loosely applied to many born outside this area as long as they have a "Cockney" accent or a Cockney heritage.

The Cockney accent is sadly heard less often in Central London these days but is widely heard in the outer London boroughs,the London suburbs and all across South East England. It is common in Bedfordshire towns like Leighton Buzzard, and Essex towns such as Romford.

Rhyming Slang phrases are derived from taking an expression which rhymes with a word and then using that expression instead of the word. For example the word "look" rhymes with "butcher's hook". In many cases the rhyming word is omitted - so you won't find too many Londoners having a "butcher's hook" at this site, but you might find a few having a "butcher's".

The rhyming word is not always omitted so Cockney expressions can vary in their construction, and it is simply a matter of convention which version is used.

Some English examples converted to Cockney Ryhme

Teeth = Hampstead Heath
Legs = Scotch eggs
Arms = Chalk Farms
Head = Loaf of bread
Face = Boat race
Mouth = North and South
Feet = Plates of meat
Hair = Barnet Fair
Eyes = Mince pies
Mate = Me Old China-PLATE
Bollocks = Jackson Pollocks

WHO USES COCKNEY RHYMING SLANG?

Cockney Rhyming Slang originated in the East End of London. Some slang expressions have escaped from London and are in popular use throughout the rest of Britain.

For example "use your loaf" is an everyday phrase for the British, but not too many people realise it is Cockney Rhyming Slang-LOAF OF BREAD = HEAD. There are many more examples of this unwitting use of Cockney Rhyming Slang.

Britsh T.V. has also raised awareness of Cockney Rhyming Slang to far greater heights. Classic TV shows such as Steptoe & Son, Minder, Porridge & Only Fools and Horses have done much to spread the Cockney Rhyme throughout Britain and to the rest of the world.



IS COCKNEY RHYME OBSOLETE?

Not on your Nelly! Cockney Rhyming Slang may have had its highs and lows but today it is in use as never before.

New slang expressions have also been invented over the years-eg Emma Freuds = Hemorrhoids -Emma Freud being a TV and Radio broadcaster- Ayrton Senna = Tenner £10