Michael Caine's John Wayne lesson

Jul 8, 2007, 11:00 GMT

Sir Michael Caine was told to talk less if he wanted to be a successful actor, by John Wayne.

Caine has revealed the screen legend gave him the advice when he was first starting out in Hollywood.

The 'Batman Begins' star said: "One day John Wayne walked into the lobby. He looked fantastic. He had illegally landed a helicopter in the gardens opposite.

"I was staring like a star struck fan when he turned and said, 'Are you Michael Caine?' He had seen me in 'The Ipcress File'. We became very close friends from then onwards and he gave me a piece of advice. He said, 'You've got a great future, kid. But remember - talk low, talk slow and don't talk too much.' "

While Caine, 74, was in awe of Wayne, he admits he struggled to adhere to his advice.

He added: "I then made a series of pictures where I never stopped talking quickly and in a high voice!"

Wayne is one of the most iconic movie stars of all time.

He won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in 1969's 'True Grit' and played the lead role in over 140 of his films.

He died on June 11 1979 after losing his battle with stomach cancer.(C) BANG Media International