Alfie (Burt Bacharach song) version of "Alfie" was released at the end of June 1966 almost two months prior to the film's US premiere (August 25, 1966); Sonny Bono's production showcased the song à la Phil Spector. Despite being the follow-up to the #2 hit "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)", "Alfie" rose no higher than #32. It was also a top 40 hit in Canada, reaching #36. The versions of "Alfie" by both Cilla Black and Cher were released in Australia in July 1966, with Black's becoming the major hit at #22; the Cher version's Australian chart peak was #96. "Alfie" was
Michael Caine British Film Institute's 100 greatest British films of the 20th century. In 2000, Caine received a BAFTA Fellowship, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his contribution to cinema. Michael Caine was born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite on 14 March 1933 in St Olave's Hospital in Rotherhithe, London. His father, Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Sr. (20 February 1899, St Olave, Bermondsey, London –1956, Lambeth, London), was a fish market porter, while his mother, Ellen Frances Marie Burchell (1900, Southwick, London –1989, London), was a cook and charwoman. He was brought up in his mother's Protestant religion. Caine had an