Alfie (1966)

Dionne's version

I LOVE Cher's version in the film.

When she goes into the line "and if only fools are kind, Alfie' with the orchestration kicking in - it's HEAVEN!

According to IMDB trivia, the movie had only instrumental soundtrack when first released. The song was added later. Cher's version in the American release, and Cilla Black in the UK. It was originally supposed to be Dionne's version, but for whatever reason, they went with Cher.

Here's the Burt Bacharach tribute on the 72nd Oscars. At the 9:50 mark, Dionne comes on to sing Alfie, and Cher is in the audience.

Bump

I think the Jude Law remake has been completely forgotten.

There's a funny bit in Bacharach's memoir when he phones Dionne for the first time in years after their falling out and legal battles. He said, "It's Burt" and Dionne replied, "Burt who?"

Perhaps DIonne thought it was Burt Reynolds.

I ADORE Cher's original rendition of Alfie. What I love most about it is Sonny Bono's arrangement. He always did these dramatic, drum & percussion-heavy arrangements on Cher with brilliant results. As an arranger Sonny's work is excellent and ridiculously underrated!

Oh wow didn't realize how bad Cher's dentition was. I wonder what she did to fix it: braces or did she have her front teeth removed.

Probably had the teeth shaved down and capped.

I love this film and song. I am 43 and had not seen the film until 2019- I thought it was oddly moving and very contemporary.

I thought Michael Caine was outstanding.

From what I recall reading, a dozen different versions by different singers and a whole year & a half went by before Dionne Warwick even considered recording 'Alfie'. In fact, one of the artists who recorded 'Alfie' before Dionne in 1967 was her own sister, Dee Dee Warwick (see clip).

In the liner notes of the "Best Of" compilation shown in the clip, Dee Dee expressed bitterness that her version of 'Alfie' went nowhere. She also was pissed that Dionne never mentioned that her sister was the one who had provided her with an excellent demo that finally made her want to sing the song herself.

Shirley Cain has the best version.

This is an ugly movie about a man with an ugly character. (He calls women 'birds' and refers to them as 'it' rather than 'she'.)

He's portrayed by a man with a fake name and a particularly ugly, slovenly voice. And thankfully he never displays his slovenly body.

The song is full of halting confusion because it's written from the viewpoint of the women who are inseminated and trashed by the ugly Alfie.

"What's that in your mouth? Alfie"

Cher is better than I expected but lacks Warwick's depth and complexity.

The Sweet Inspirations was an offshoot of Dionne Warwick's family Gospel vocal group, The Drinkard Singers. Eventually the group moved away from Gospel music and became one of the top NYC session groups of the 60s and 70s. Early members included both Dionne & Dee Warwick, Judy Clay (former duet partner of Billy Vera) & Doris Troy (of 'Just One Look' fame). The most solid lineup (and the one that backed up Elvis in concert & Aretha Franklin on most of her classic hits) consisted of Cissy Houston (Dionne's aunt & Whitney Houston's mother), Myrna Smith (a cousin), Sylvia Shemwell (sister of Judy Clay) and Estelle Brown (the only member still living).

Some years back, Myrna Smith & Estelle Brown were featured in some sort of documentary film. Not only did the girls dish on Aretha Franklin & Elvis Presley, but also former bandmate Cissy Houston. Myrna & Estelle stated that Cissy considered herself the true singing star of her family and was jealous of her niece Dionne Warwick's success. She just couldn't understand why Burt Bacharach overlooked her vocal talents but thought that Dionne was special. When the opportunity presented itself in 1969 for The Sweet Inspirations (now hit R&B recording stars in their own right) to record their own version of 'Alfie', Cissy Houston saw it as her chance to FINALLY showcase her singing & arranging talents for both Burt Bacharach & Hal David. LOL.

After re-arranging & recording the song in a Soul/Gospel vein, Cissy (bursting with pride) shoved the other girls into a cab and rushed over to Burt Bacharach's offices with the final results. Myrna Smith & Estelle Brown recalled with much amusement & horror that when they played the record for Burt he listened. When the song was done he walked over to the turntable, removed the record, handed it back to Cissy Houston and walked out of the room without saying a thing. LMAO.

R14 Yet there are people like Alfie and don't forget Shelley Winters as Ruby and Siddie who has no illusions about her relationship with Alfie. The female characters in Alfie are quite varied and individual And is Alfie really happy, satisfied or fullfilled at film's end? Literature, drama and film often deal with immoral, imperfect and unlikable characters. How do you feel about Goodfellas, A Clockwork Orange, The Silence of the Lambs, Scarface, The Grifters, Pulp Fiction and The Godfather?

Here's Myrna Smith & Estelle Brown of The Sweet Inspirations sharing the story told at R17.

I am with R18 on this one.

Its extremely realistic to me- good or bad...

Alfie slowly becomes aware of his folly. But is too much of an asshole to express it.

The abortion related scene is extremely compelling to me- he really has feelings but suppresses any of his own innate kindness or compassion.

I really find this film to have a real sense of truth to it. Its pretty dark and cold- and really illustrates the complexities and cruelty of men.

[quote] How do you feel about Goodfellas, A Clockwork Orange, The Silence of the Lambs, Scarface, The Grifters, Pulp Fiction and The Godfather?

I abhor them.

I saw 'Orange' at the cinema (and would be interested in re-watching it).

I've seen half of 'Silence' and I enjoy Hopkins. And I've watched bits of two others. But why should I invest my time and money to help glamorise grifters and gangsters?

R21 Besides Mary Poppins, what films do you like?

The first time I heard it

And you're proud of that, R23?

Love the movie, hate the song!

The song is a syrupy mess and nobody would remember it, if it weren't attached to a damn good movie. One of the most damning dissections of heterosexuality ever made, all young heterosexuals should be required to watch it in same-sex groups and then discuss it afterwards. Sure, most of them would enjoy the movie while it runs as Caine really does make it all fun, and BTW that's what the very best actors do - make something moving or fun when it might have been dreary, and this movie could have been VERY dreary with another lead.

I read a YouTube comment that claimed Millicent Martin was the first to sing "Alfie" over the end credits in the UK. Can anyone confirm?

I like Chaka's jazzy version

[quote]This is an ugly movie about a man with an ugly character. (He calls women 'birds'

That's a commonly-used term in England.

I didn't know Jane Asher was in 'Alfie' or I would have watched it before 2020.

My favorite Alfie story is Barbra Streisand's:

"One time, I was in a cab and the song Alfie came on the radio. It was really lovely. So later I called the station and asked, 'Who was that girl singing Alfie?' And they told me it was me."

R30, Streisand, really was/is an insufferable piece of work.......

Jllkk

I've known guys who were the gay version of Alfie

No one sings Alife like Dionne Warwick. She has the best version.

LOL @ R17.

I like Dee Dee.

The Cher version is terrible--her phrasing is just awful and she sounds pretty off key through the whole thing.

Cilla Black's performance is the best. And it always will be.

Dionne Warwick's version elevates the theme to something almost universal, while Cilla Black's version feels more intimate and personal.

Yeah, I came here to post the Cilla Black version... and in this great version of her live in the studio.

So since you posted it, here she is with "your my world"... justified on this thread because no one is closer to the 60s innocent sex and heartache of the singing London than Cilla Black.

^ You're and swingin'

Barbra recorded it when she was at the very height of her vocal powers. It shows off her unique ability to shape a musical line and she shows off the unique musical lines that run through the song.

It's not my favorite recording of the song, but Babs' technical achievement is astonishing.