423 Quotes by Michael Caine

My view of actors is that basically they're all harmless lunatics who'd be on the psychiatrist's couch.

The basic rule of human nature is that powerful people speak slowly and subservient people quickly - because if they don't speak fast enough, nobody will listen to them.

The three actors I admire the most are all dead. Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy and the French actor, Jean Gabin. They're all very natural, sort of masculine without being overly macho.

My dialogue coach said to do a Texas accent, you lean on the next word, and that was the clue to me.

Sometimes, in a part, everything comes together.

Books were my window on the world. Growing up at the Elephant and Castle, which was very rough, my paradise was the library.

I always say to my wife, don't tell anyone I watch this [shows like The X Factor and Pop Idol], but it fascinates me because I've done so many auditions and been knocked back.

My mother had heard all about miniskirts but had never seen one so I took her for lunch at Alvaro's [in Chelsea]. We walked down the King's Road and waited 10 seconds for our first miniskirt and a girl came along with her skirt tucked round her arse. I said: 'What do you think, ma?' And she said: 'If it's not for sale, you shouldn't put it in the window!'

Every time you get a movie, you get a medical. So you know, you know you're alright for a couple of weeks.