I'd heard quite mixed reviews of Caine's New England accent. It's certainly stilted and strange and not the least like the modern yankee accent but someone suggested that it was very like an older form used by some in New England. I am always amazed when looking at documentary films from the thirties, or even the fifties, how much the various british accents have changed in vocabulary, tone, rhythm and emphasis in a relatively short time.

Personal I think Caine has a very good ear and it is likely that his accent is accurate, if obsolete (depending on the quality of the dialogue coach, of course).

However, when discussing actors accents, nothing can ever compair to the excellent cockney of Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins.

me ol' bamboo
strike a light guvnor.