Oliver! (film) in the United States, and Oliver Reed, who played Bill Sikes, had just begun to make a name for himself. Producer John Woolf suggested Oliver Reed for the role to the director Reed, without knowing that the two were in fact related. Ron Moody, who was also well known in Britain but not the US, recreated his London stage performance, after Peter Sellers, Dick Van Dyke and Peter O'Toole reportedly turned down the role. Elizabeth Taylor turned down the role of Nancy as well. Julie Andrews was also considered. Director Reed also had Shirley Bassey in mind, but his choice
Jeff Sykes in 1964, 1968, and 1974 and placed second in 1975, 1976, and 1978. Sykes' first state selection came in 1961 as Victoria's representative to contest the President's Cup - the Men's Interstate Sculling Championship - at the annual Interstate Regatta. He raced that event for Victoria in 1961, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1973 & 1976 and won that national title in 1966 and 1973. In 1968 and 1972 he was selected in the Victorian men's lightweight four who contested the Penrith Cup at the Interstate Regatta. Sykes' debut national representative selection came in 1966 when he was selected as