THE inspiring story of a small boy from a poverty-stricken home who reached the heights of film stardom is continued in this entertaining new autobiography by Sir Michael Caine.

The elephant in the title is the Elephant and Castle area in south-east London, where he was born Maurice Micklewhite, in March 1933, the son of a porter at Billingsgate fish market.

Eighteen years ago Sir Michael wrote his autobiography, What’s It All About, because, he says, he thought his career was over.

Happily, this was far from the case, and so he has updated the first book.

The Oscar-winning star, who has more than 100 films to his credit, including the original smash hit Alfie, in 1966, and Zulu, The Italian Job, Get Carter and Educating Rita, has many fascinating anecdotes to tell, and does so with humour, wisdom and perhaps too much kindness.

Surely, he couldn’t have liked and admired almost everyone he worked with? Nevertheless, he has produced a terrific read, which is hard to put down.

Anthony Looch