I picked up a vintage Pan paperback copy of Get Carter in a charity shop the other month. Dated 1970 its this film tie-in Michael Caine cover version of the Ted Lewis novel Jack's Return Home.
I've seen the film before with Michael Caine and Ian Hendry but never read the novel. I knew the film was an important milestone in British gangster films so I was excited about reading the original book.
Trying to put the characters from the film out of my mind I set off reading. I wasn't disappointed. Its a cracker of a thriller deftly mixing late 1960's East End London violence with the provincial crime lords of Newcastle. Its a heady crescendo of double-barrelled standoffs and reminded me of the grit and gunshot of The Long Good Friday I saw on film years ago with the great Bob Hoskins.
Coincidentally whilst reading Get Carter the 2000 US version starring Sylvester Stallone was on TV so I watched it for research purposes. I must say I enjoyed it but then again I do like Sly Stallone and his portrayal of Carter had a hint of that other American hard-case Porter played by Mel Gibson in Payback, itself a 1999 remake of the sixties classic Point Blank starring Lee Marvin.
I found Mickey Rourke's presence in the US Get Carter movie fascinating as always. Being 21 years ago he was only part way towards his monstrous transformation into the beast we see 10 years later in Iron Man 2.
Back to the paperback, I'm nearly finished as it reaches its climactic end on the slag heaps of the North East coast. I may have to track down the other vintage Jack Carter novels that Ted Lewis wrote, plus his others like GBH.
Have you read or seen Get Carter readers? It would have made a great Action Man set, the slick suit and the double-barrel rifle! What do you think?
Loved the original Brit film, Woodsy. A cinematic time capsule showing a disappearing cultural landscape of people and places. I also enjoyed Point Blank with Lee Marvin, although it's a very long time since I've watched either. The Pan paperback was an excellent find!
ReplyDeleteYes, I was chuffed finding the paperback Tone. Its interesting to note that it's titled Carter and not Get Carter!
DeleteThe original film is a classic, and the gritty North East settings are a welcome change from the usual London locations. Caine plays a perfect Jack Carter on his bloody revenge: Even the theme music fits the bill.
ReplyDeleteI've got to say I've no time for the remake.
I agree Scoop, its a classic British gangster film and Caine and Hendry are superb adversaries.
Delete