MARGOT’S UP FOR IT
Caine’s tasteless Weinstein
MOVIE legend Michael Caine cracked a sick gag about film maker Harvey Weinstein – ahead of the industry’s biggest night.
The Italian Job star told how not being abused by the sex-scandal producer made him feel ugly.
Caine, 84, quipped: “He never tried anything with me. I felt quite unattractive.”
His attempt at a joke came despite former Without A Clue co-star Lysette Anthony’s accusing Weinstein of rape.
The actress, 54, claimed last October that she had been assaulted by Weinstein and stopped appearing in films around 2002, when, she said, the movie boss “finally let go of me”.
Lysette was among the first of scores of actresses who helped start the “Me Too” and “Time’s Up” movements by accusing Weinstein of abuse.
Caine, right, admitted he was aware of Weinstein’s reputation and “casting couch” before the outcry.
The veteran British screen star said: “I knew the accusations were there but the gravity is a surprise to me.”
But he also defended the film mogul, calling him an “extremely good producer” despite the sex allegations.
Caine said: “I did three pictures, I spent ages with Harvey.
“Little Voice, The Cider House Rules, which I won an Academy Award for, and The Quiet American, when I was nominated for another one.
“So he wasn’t making c*** pictures – he was an extremely good producer.”
Caine admitted some senior Hollywood figures did trade sexual favours with actresses for film roles.
But he claimed established stars were immune to their advances because they were famous enough to turn down people like Weinstein.
The Oscar winner said: “Charlize Theron was in The Cider House Rules with me and he certainly never did anything with her. It’s when they’re slightly unknown and they need it. You can’t tell Elizabeth Taylor, ‘You’re going to have to screw me to get this part’.”
Despite his comments, Caine, who made his name playing a ladies’ man in the movie Alfie, said he was on the victims’ side, adding: “I’m a fully paidup feminist. Oh, yes, I’m all for the ladies.”