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Jack Wild dies at 53
posted by davidt on Thursday March 02 2006, @09:00AM

 Note: Malcolm McFee, not Jack Wild was the inspiration for "Little Man, What Now?" according to this post in 2004 when Jack Wild was mentioned previously.
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carlos_blakos writes:
Jack Wild, child actor who played the Artful Dodger on stage and in the 1968 film version, has died of mouth cancer. BBC News reports that he is oft thought to have been the inspiration for "Little Man, What Now?":

Obituary: Jack Wild

Jack Wild became a star in his early teens, playing the Artful Dodger in both the stage and screen version of Oliver! He had success in America, too, but was later beset by health problems.

...Morrissey's song Little Man, What Now, about a child-star long faded from the spotlight, was often thought to be about the rise and fall of Jack Wild.

 
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Jack Wild dies at 53 | Log in/Create an Account | Top | 24 comments | Search Discussion
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Sad, indeed (Score:0)
As a Seventies child, I was enthralled by his performances in the t.v. series "H.R.Pufnstuf", as well as the re-runs of "Oliver" and other more obscure films such as "The Flight Of The Doves".

Requiescat In Pacem.

JimS.
Anonymous -- Thursday March 02 2006, @09:26AM (#201015)
    I don't think it was.. (Score:0)
    The song was about a tv star. Jack Wild was mainly known for films.

    I thought it was some actor who appeared in "Please Sir".
    Anonymous -- Thursday March 02 2006, @09:30AM (#201016)
    Little Man: Jack Wild or Malcolm McFee ? (Score:2, Informative)
    http://www.morrissey-solo.com/article.pl?sid=04/07 /31/1552222

    Malcolm McFee - inspiration for "Little Man, What Now?" (not Jack Wild)

    posted by davidt on Saturday July 31 2004, @11:00AM

    Abigail Lawson writes:

    I am a source close to Morrissey.

    I feel moved to write to you to correct the post by Miranda Grey that Jack Wild is the inspiration behind "Little Man, What Now".

    "Little Man, What Now" is most positively not inspired by the child actor Jack Wild, and in no way refers to him.

    The words to the aforementioned song are concerned with a British actor called Malcolm McFee who appeared in two (UK) situation comedies in the early 1970s: "Please, Sir!" and "The Fenn Street Gang". He also appeared briefly in the film "Oh What A Lovely War!" (1969).

    He died of cancer in Braintree, Essex in November, 2001.

    I hope this lays to rest the Wild misapprehension.
    ---
    The story which incorrectly referenced Jack Wild is here.
    Belligerent Ghoul * -- Thursday March 02 2006, @10:19AM (#201023)
    (User #9224 Info)
     There is a light that never goes out...
    Inspiration also (Score:1)
    for Papa Jack as well? I like the poignancy of that song. Does any one know what is his link with this person?
    Mrs. Woolf -- Thursday March 02 2006, @02:17PM (#201085)
    (User #14157 Info)
    Curse Of Oliver (Score:1)
    Today's Independent covers the death of Jack Wild with a double page spread charting the careers of all the actors in Lionel Bart's Oliver.

    Jack Wild is a tragic case. But alcoholism runs through the cast.

    In Oliver Reed's section it's mentioned how he died of a heart attack after a mammoth session whilst filming Gladiator. I knew that, but what I didn't know is that he beat five Navy sailors at arm wrestling that evening having sunk three bottles of rum.

    God - he was maybe the perfect person. I wonder what Moz thinks of the great Wild One?
    Stan * <stanleymchale@mac.com> -- Friday March 03 2006, @02:45AM (#201177)
    (User #9752 Info | http://www.stanleymchale.merseyblogs.co.uk/ )
      Unlucky man (Score:1)
      Mouth chancer is barely seen.

      I feel quite sorry for you.
      FERREIRO <reversethis-{moc ... a} {seuqsubemon}> -- Friday March 03 2006, @09:22AM (#201220)
      (User #7331 Info)
        Movie (Score:1)
        Didn't he play in that movie "Power Tool"?

        Alongside the great Jeff Stryker?
        Eric Hartman -- Friday March 03 2006, @03:06PM (#201287)
        (User #5103 Info)
         It is a very mixed blessing to be brought back from the dead.

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