1. – Christopher Gable, The Boy Friend, 1971. Flashy UK director Ken Russell makes a song ‘n’ dance film. Essex could sing. But Gable could dance!
2. – Robin Askwith, Confessions of a Window Cleaner, 1974. A lucky escape as it led to a dumb wannabe Carry On series of sex-farces: Confessions of a Pop Performer…Of a Driving Instructor, etc.
3. – Oliver Tobias, The Bitch, 1978. Written by Jackie Collins, played by Joanie… who would have devoured him alive..
4. – Ian McShane, Yesterday’s Hero, 1979. Also written by Jackie Collins – about fading football glory. Ian’s dad, Harry, played for Manchester United.
5. – Mel Gibson, The Bounty, 1982. For a brief while, director David Lean’s pet project fell into the hands of another UK film-maker, Alan Bridges, who broke custom by choosing an Englishman as Fletcher Christian. Later Essex made a West End stage musical out of the saga.
6. – Antonio Banderas. Evita, 1997. From 1982 onward, producer Robert Stigwood insisted on the original stage cast – Elaine Page as Eva, Joss Ackland as Peron, and Essex as Che – as directors changed or died: Bob Fosse, Vincente Minnelli, Ken Russell.
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