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
Oliver Twist (1916 film) Sykes were played by Constance Collier, Nat C. Goodwin and Lyn Harding respectively. Elsie Jane Wilson who had a supporting part in the play is Nancy in the film. Wilson and Doro are the only players from the play to appear in this film. Four film versions had been made prior to this film: in 1907, 1909 and two in 1912, the year of Doro's stage success. A later 1922 silent version starred Lon Chaney and Jackie Coogan. Oliver Twist (1916 film) Oliver Twist is a lost 1916 silent film drama produced by Jesse Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures.