Trivia / Billy Liar

• Ability over Appearance: Julie Christie had to screen test for the role of Liz twice, and was initially passed over, as John Schlesinger pictured the character as "a rather big-titted, ample, Earth mother figure". Even the actress herself spent most of her time on set worried she'd been miscast.
• Breakthrough Hit: For John Schlesinger.
• Dawson Casting: Billy is 19 and played by the 26-year-old Tom Courtenay.
• Enforced Method Acting: The audience's first introduction to the character of Liz was shot on the street, verite style. More often than not, the turned heads of the passersby are genuine, as John Schlesinger filmed their reactions to Julie Christie.
• Executive Meddling: The censors ordered the removal of one line from Liz - "what you wanted me to do that night" - as she walks with Billy to pass the film with an A certificate (the equivalent of today's PG rating). It was later restored for the VHS and DVD releases.
• Non-Singing Voice: Although Muriel Day is singing the song "Twisterella" in the dance hall, she's actually miming for the original vocalist, who was pregnant and couldn't appear on screen.
• The Other Marty: Topsy Jane was cast as Liz originally, but fell ill during filming. When it became clear it wasn't going to work out, Julie Christie filled the role in reshoots. Topsy can still be seen in a few wide shots.
• Referenced by...: The chorus of the song "Twisterella" from the dance hall scene was interpolated by the band Ride at the end of their song of the same name.
• Star-Making Role: This movie made a star of Julie Christie, even though she's only in it for a total of twelve minutes. This, coupled with her Oscar win for Darling, made her an icon in both films and fashion of the 1960s.
• Uncredited Role:
  • Robin Parkinson as a jeweller's assistant.
  • Sheila Fearn as a telephonist.
• What Could Have Been: Albert Finney originated the role of Billy Fisher on stage, but John Schlesinger chose Tom Courtenay because he was a less physically imposing figure and therefore more believable as a dreamer.

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