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When the film version of "Oliver!" was first released in December 1968, the critics went crazy over it. One said it was the best musical they had ever seen; "TIME Magazine" did s big story on it, stating it was the Best Picture Of The Year. And it won that at the Oscars and five other awards!!!!!!!!!!!
But time has not been kind to "Oliver!" I tired watching it on television, and it just does not work. Like "The Sound Of Music " and "My Fair Lady"--also Best Picture winners--"Oliver!" cannot work anywhere but on the big screen.
At 14, I was so consumed with the film's hype that I pleaded with my parents to take me to see the film in New York City. This was in the days when big films played reserved seat engagements and did not get out to the suburban hinterlands for two years. So, my parents took me to see "Oliver!" in early 1969, and I was awestruck by its beauty, as well as the darkness of Dickens, which I was already familiar with.
The film finally reached the Albany Theatre in New Brunswick in 1970, and I saw it again, and was awed by its magic. But when "Oliver!" began turning up on television, I could not watch it, because it did not work, which is why I think the film courted disfavor over time. The other thing was having no genuine stars, because this film was exceptionally cast for character's sake, rather than star name value, and so much the better.
Now, if you look closely at the poster, notice something. The two characters most prominently displayed are Nancy and Oliver. They were played by Shani Wallis and Mark Lester, respectively, and, ironically, they are the only cast members still alive. Wallis is 91, Lester may be in his sixties, but they are all that survive.
On June 21 of this year, I saw "Oliver!" on the screen for the first time in 56 years. And I was right; the screen is where it belongs. You MUST see this on the screen, darlings!!!!!!!!!!
Ron Moody was Oscar nominated as Best Actor for his role as Fagin. As was Jack Wild as Best Supporting Actor for his memorable portrayal of The Artful Dodge. But it is Shani Wallis who should have received a Supporting Actress nomination for her Nancy. She is the greatest of all Nancys. Also, Oliver Reed's performance as Bill Sikes is chilling, not just because he was a good actor, not because he was director Carol Reed's nephew, but because, to this day, I remain convinced he was not acting. What is on screen is not only Bill Skikes, but the real Oliver Reed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The film has two of the most exquisite musical numbers ever filmed, and they both come in the second half It opens with the lyrical "Who Will Buy?" which begins softly, poetically and lyrically, with exquisite camerawork, and builds to a crescendo of musical bliss. Onna White's choreography is some of the best I have seen captured on film. The other number is "Ooom-Pah-Pah," which Carol Reed made a brilliant decision with. On stage, the number opens the second act and is used as a showcase for Nancy and the ensemble. But Reed had the brilliant sense to switch this number to near the end--the last in the film--where Nancy creates a commotion in the bar, distracting everyone with the song, so she can escape with Oliver to Mr. Brownlow, waiting atop London Bridge. Every time I see the escape sequence in this version, and it is because of Wallis' performance, I always wish Nancy here would have gotten away. She too could have had a better life than what was dealt.
Nevertheless, "Oliver!" is a better film than is sometimes recognized today. Should the opportunity arise, darlings, I cannot urge you enough to see this on the screen.
And would you believe this? It was not until I had reached my twenties, I realized Nancy was a prostitute.
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