Stars: Leslie Caron, Anthony Booth, Avis Bunnage, Patricia Phoenix, Verity Edmett, Tom Bell, Cicely Courtneidge, Emlyn Williams, Jennifer White, Brock Peters, Gerry Duggan, Mark Eden | Written and Directed by Bryan Forbes
When watching a British film from the sixties, the realistic discussion of such things as growing up as a single parent, or considering abortion wasn’t something you’d expect to see in a film set in London. The L-Shaped Room though is one of the few that took a look at society, family, and love and didn’t hide from the awkward truths.
Jane Fosset (Leslie Caron) is an unmarried and pregnant French woman who finds a small seedy London boarding house with a room available. Struggling with the idea of having an abortion, at first the last thing she needs is to make friends with the misfits who live there. Slowly getting to know them though she soon becomes one of them,...
When watching a British film from the sixties, the realistic discussion of such things as growing up as a single parent, or considering abortion wasn’t something you’d expect to see in a film set in London. The L-Shaped Room though is one of the few that took a look at society, family, and love and didn’t hide from the awkward truths.
Jane Fosset (Leslie Caron) is an unmarried and pregnant French woman who finds a small seedy London boarding house with a room available. Struggling with the idea of having an abortion, at first the last thing she needs is to make friends with the misfits who live there. Slowly getting to know them though she soon becomes one of them,...
- 12/21/2017
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
Kym Lomas wants to be a 'Coronation Street' ''icon''. The 36-year-old actress is thrilled to have signed a new contract with the soap, seven years after she first signed on to play feisty factory boss Michelle Connor and hopes she can follow in the footsteps of soap idols including Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch) and Pat Phoenix (Elsie Tanner). She said: ''I'm really happy. I've just signed for another year and that takes me to my eighth year. It has gone so fast. ''I'll try to stay as long as I can. I would love to become a Corrie icon.'' Kym's character Michelle -...
- 5/20/2013
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Kym Lomas wants to be a 'Coronation Street' ''icon''. The 36-year-old actress is thrilled to have signed a new contract with the soap, seven years after she first signed on to play feisty factory boss Michelle Connor and hopes she can follow in the footsteps of soap idols including Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch) and Pat Phoenix (Elsie Tanner). She said: ''I'm really happy. I've just signed for another year and that takes me to my eighth year. It has gone so fast. ''I'll try to stay as long as I can. I would love to become a Corrie icon.'' Kym's character Michelle -...
- 5/20/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Coronation Street star Michelle Collins has named Pat Phoenix's Elsie Tanner as her all-time favourite TV character. The Weatherfield actress, who plays Rovers Return landlady Stella Price, described Corrie as a "female show" in an interview with Metro. "It's a strong female lead in a female show. Corrie is very matriarchal; the women are always painted as strong, while a lot of the men are quite hapless and a bit weak," she said. "Elsie was one of the original female icons (more)...
- 10/24/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
"This film would never have been made in America, because we’ve all got wrinkles."
Celia Imrie is laughing, in semi-horror, about the reaction she and her co-stars had when they saw the first images of themselves having fun at The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
"You have this romantic image of yourself, but there we all were in the heat of the sun, no filters or anything. The director thought it was hilarious, but we were all in shock."
Celia Imrie applauds anyone who'll jump off and "give it a go"
Despite this shocking reality, or perhaps because Oscar winner John Madden was prepared to put his A-list line-up - Imrie joined by Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Ronald Pickup and Dames Judi and Maggie - on the screen, bumps and all, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has proved a winner ($100million box office haul) with audiences warmed by...
Celia Imrie is laughing, in semi-horror, about the reaction she and her co-stars had when they saw the first images of themselves having fun at The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
"You have this romantic image of yourself, but there we all were in the heat of the sun, no filters or anything. The director thought it was hilarious, but we were all in shock."
Celia Imrie applauds anyone who'll jump off and "give it a go"
Despite this shocking reality, or perhaps because Oscar winner John Madden was prepared to put his A-list line-up - Imrie joined by Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Ronald Pickup and Dames Judi and Maggie - on the screen, bumps and all, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has proved a winner ($100million box office haul) with audiences warmed by...
- 6/29/2012
- by Caroline Frost
- Huffington Post
He's a feted Hollywood director, whose career started with a bunch of children in Seven Up! And he is still charting their lives 49 years later in a landmark of documentary broadcasting
They understand longevity at Manchester's ITV Granada, which was Granada Television and is the only survivor of the original four independent TV franchisees awarded in 1954. Not only does it make Coronation Street, the world's longest-running television soap opera, but this week sees the return of its Up series, which may be the world's longest-running documentary.
The first Up programme was the brainchild of Tim Hewat, the brilliant Australian producer behind the World In Action strand. Legend has it he walked into the World in Action office and quoted the Jesuit motto cited at the beginning of the film: "Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man." And then instructed a young trainee...
They understand longevity at Manchester's ITV Granada, which was Granada Television and is the only survivor of the original four independent TV franchisees awarded in 1954. Not only does it make Coronation Street, the world's longest-running television soap opera, but this week sees the return of its Up series, which may be the world's longest-running documentary.
The first Up programme was the brainchild of Tim Hewat, the brilliant Australian producer behind the World In Action strand. Legend has it he walked into the World in Action office and quoted the Jesuit motto cited at the beginning of the film: "Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man." And then instructed a young trainee...
- 5/12/2012
- by Andrew Anthony
- The Guardian - Film News
Bill Roache's girlfriend Emma Jesson has vowed to split from the Coronation Street legend if he is ever unfaithful. Roache - who plays Ken Barlow in the ITV1 soap - recently spoke about his womanising ways on Piers Morgan's Life Stories, revealing he once had an affair with co-star Pat Phoenix. The 41-year-old weathergirl, who started dating the 79-year-old in November 2010, insisted to Hello! magazine: "He did sleep with a lot of girls but that was back in the 1960s. "If he was like that now, I wouldn't be with him. And if he did resort to his old behaviour, (more)...
- 4/16/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
Bill Roache has reportedly said that he is "overwhelmed" to the public reaction to recent revelations about his sex life. The 79-year-old Coronation Street veteran, who plays Ken Barlow, admitted to Piers Morgan recently that he could have slept with as many as 1,000 women in his life and revealed a fling with former Corrie co-star Pat Phoenix. A friend of Roache told The Mirror: "Bill was overwhelmed with the publicity he got after the interview. It may well have been taken out of context, but at the end of the day that is what he said. "And he couldn't help sniggering when everyone reacted to his supposed conquests all those years ago. Now there are football chants springing up - they are hilarious and we are sure (more)...
- 3/23/2012
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Coleen Nolan has spoken out about Coronation Street star Bill Roache's recent sex confessions. The actor, who has played Ken Barlow on the soap for over 50 years, admitted that he had a fling with former co-star Pat Phoenix and has slept with "up to 1,000 women". Nolan said that she understands why Roache would have been a hit with the opposite sex when he was younger, telling The Mirror: "I've always said it's the quiet ones you have to watch. "Who would have thought that mild-mannered Ken had it in him? All those years we believed he was toiling away on the Weatherfield Recorder and discussing local history in the Rovers. It turns out he was actually bedding a string of women. "Oops, sorry, I've made that old mistake (more)...
- 3/15/2012
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
London, Mar 15: Coronation Street's Bill Roache has claimed that he has slept with a thousand women in his life.
As strait-laced Ken Barlow in the British soap opera, he has managed to chalk up 28 girlfriends in more than half a century on the box.
But in real-life Casanova Roache has been a bed-hopping babe magnet with an amazing string of conquests.
In a remarkably frank interview he claimed to have slept with up to 1,000 women, including a one-night stand with Weatherfield legend Pat Phoenix.
Roache, who turns 80 next month, also revealed how his insatiable appetite earned him the nickname "C**k Roache".
As strait-laced Ken Barlow in the British soap opera, he has managed to chalk up 28 girlfriends in more than half a century on the box.
But in real-life Casanova Roache has been a bed-hopping babe magnet with an amazing string of conquests.
In a remarkably frank interview he claimed to have slept with up to 1,000 women, including a one-night stand with Weatherfield legend Pat Phoenix.
Roache, who turns 80 next month, also revealed how his insatiable appetite earned him the nickname "C**k Roache".
- 3/15/2012
- by Meeta Kabra
- RealBollywood.com
Bill Roache has opened up about his love life, including rumours of a fling with former Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix. The veteran actor, who plays Ken Barlow on the ITV1 soap, discussed the rumours during an episode of Piers Morgan's Life Stories which is due to be televised next month. Roache said of his liaison with Phoenix, who played battleaxe Elsie Tanner on Coronation Street: "It was just a one-off. It was just something that happened one night when we were together. We weren't right for each other. "She invited me round to her flat and we had a few drinks, then one thing led to another. At that time, she had a reputation and I had a reputation, and she felt we should meet, as it were. It just happened." Roache also claimed that he was given the nickname "C**k Roache" by the cast because of...
- 3/15/2012
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
Bill Roache has opened up about his love life, including rumours of a fling with former Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix. The veteran actor, who plays Ken Barlow on the ITV1 soap, discussed the rumours during an episode of Piers Morgan's Life Stories which is due to be televised next month. Roache said of his liaison with Phoenix, who played battleaxe Elsie Tanner on Coronation Street: "It was just a one-off. It was just something that happened one night when we were together. We weren't right for each other. "She invited me round to her flat and we had a few drinks, then one thing led to another. At that time, she had a reputation and I had a reputation, and she felt we should meet, as it were. It just happened." Roache also claimed that he was given the nickname "C**k Roache" by the cast because of...
- 3/15/2012
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
Bill Roache has opened up about his love life, including rumours of a fling with former Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix. The veteran actor, who plays Ken Barlow on the ITV1 soap, discussed the rumours during an episode of Piers Morgan's Life Stories which is due to be televised next month. Roache said of his liaison with Phoenix, who played battleaxe Elsie Tanner on Coronation Street: "It was just a one-off. It was just something that happened one night when we were together. We weren't right for each other. "She invited me round to her flat and we had a few drinks, then one thing led to another. At that time, she had a reputation and I had a reputation, and she felt we should meet, as it were. It just happened." Roache also claimed that he was given the nickname "C**k Roache" by the cast because of...
- 3/15/2012
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
Coronation Street's Rita Sullivan and Dennis Tanner are set to wed. The redheaded Kabin worker (Barbara Knox) is currently romancing Dennis - widower of the legendary Elsie Tanner - and sources believe a wedding isn't far off. A insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: 'Don't rule out a summer wedding! 'It is the talk of the cast that Rita could become Mrs Tanner. Barbara, like Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie, is a legend and everyone thinks it would be a terrific move for Rita to get married again.' Philip Lowrie - who plays Dennis - recently said he loved working with Barbara as they have such a good time together on set. He said: 'I've rarely worked with an actress...
- 2/15/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Coronation Street's Rita Sullivan and Dennis Tanner are set to wed. The redheaded Kabin worker (Barbara Knox) is currently romancing Dennis - widower of the legendary Elsie Tanner - and sources believe a wedding isn't far off. A insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Don't rule out a summer wedding! "It is the talk of the cast that Rita could become Mrs Tanner. Barbara, like Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie, is a legend and everyone thinks it would be a terrific move for Rita to get married again." Philip Lowrie - who plays Dennis - recently said he loved working with Barbara as they...
- 2/15/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
Composer John Barry may be best known for his 007 scores, but we look beyond Bond for a detailed look at the rest of his extraordinary career...
Timeless, innovative, expansive and sensual, the music of John Barry Prendergast is a thought-provoking testament to a man who set the bar high and kept on raising it.
For many of us, the work of British composer, Barry, is synonymous with the Bond franchise, and there's no mistaking his contribution to that legacy. His work (along with that of Monty Norman) came to signify the arch, dangerously seductive swagger and cool, ambivalent melancholy that is the man behind the martini glass. He captured a world of intrigue, code and double meaning, of subterfuge, ambiguity, covert operation and sexuality. His was a trenchant and identifiable yet intriguingly elliptical and diverse musical sensibility that lassoed widely different vocalists from Louis Armstrong to Duran Duran, invariably producing something magnetic and memorable.
Timeless, innovative, expansive and sensual, the music of John Barry Prendergast is a thought-provoking testament to a man who set the bar high and kept on raising it.
For many of us, the work of British composer, Barry, is synonymous with the Bond franchise, and there's no mistaking his contribution to that legacy. His work (along with that of Monty Norman) came to signify the arch, dangerously seductive swagger and cool, ambivalent melancholy that is the man behind the martini glass. He captured a world of intrigue, code and double meaning, of subterfuge, ambiguity, covert operation and sexuality. His was a trenchant and identifiable yet intriguingly elliptical and diverse musical sensibility that lassoed widely different vocalists from Louis Armstrong to Duran Duran, invariably producing something magnetic and memorable.
- 7/25/2011
- Den of Geek
A number of legendary 'Coronation Street' stars have been immortalised in art. Veteran characters Hilda Ogden (Jean Alexander), Elsie Tanner (Patricia Phoenix), Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear) and Ken Barlow (Bill Roache) - who is the longest-serving actor in British soap history - have been painted in the trademark style of Manchester-based artists Central Station. Denise Penn, ITV licensing manager, said: ''Central Station first approached us with their idea in June 2009 - the appeal was immediate and ITV relished the chance to celebrate Coronation Street's heritage with the team's incredible contemporary art. ''The exhibition is a great way to celebrate 'Coronation Street' ..
- 11/24/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Jessie Wallace has admitted that she was concerned about taking on the role of Pat Phoenix in The Road to Coronation Street. The actress told The Mirror that she had been cautious about playing the Corrie legend so soon before she reprised her role as Kat Moon in EastEnders. "Appearing in a drama about Coronation Street just as I'm about to return to EastEnders has worried me a bit, from the point of view of confusing the viewers," she confessed. "But I (more)...
- 9/16/2010
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Jessie Wallace has revealed that she is a huge fan of Coronation Street legend Pat Phoenix. The EastEnders star will play Phoenix in an upcoming BBC Four drama about the origins of the ITV soap. She told Pa that the actress, famed for playing Elsie Tanner, reminded her of her grandmother. "I've always loved Pat Phoenix," she said. "She reminds me of my nan. I used to tell my nan she looked like Elsie Tanner and here I am playing her." She continued: "My nan was very glamorous, but she (more)...
- 9/10/2010
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Jessie Wallace always wanted to be in 'Coronation Street'. The actress is famed for her role as Kat Moon in rival soap 'EastEnders' but is now set to appear on TV screens playing Pat Phoenix - who played Weatherfield legend Elsie Tanner - in one-off drama 'The Road to Coronation Street' and she admits it's a dream come true. She said of her new role: ''My agent called me and asked if I wanted to meet the director Charles Sturridge and play Pat Phoenix. I was up against great actresses in the audition and didn't think I stood a chance. As I went ..
- 9/10/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
BBC Four has announced that it will broadcast an opera based on the life of Anna Nicole Smith. According to The Guardian, Anna Nicole - The Opera is a collaboration between BBC Productions, the Royal Opera House and composer Mark Anthony Turnage. Smith, who died in 2007 after an overdose, will be played by Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek. The opera is expected to air on BBC Four early next year. The channel also unveiled plans to adapt the Douglas Adams novel Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and the Dh Lawrence books Women In Love and The Rainbow. Elsewhere, Carry On star Hattie Jacques will be portrayed by Ruth Jones in one programme, while Jessie Wallace will appear as Pat Phoenix in Coronation Street: A Star (more)...
- 8/25/2010
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
Jessie Wallace has rejected claims that she struggled to master a northern accent for her role in the BBC's new drama exploring the origins of Coronation Street. The actress was recently cast in the part of Pat Phoenix, who played Weatherfield's Elsie Tanner in the ITV1 soap's early years. Yesterday, a tabloid report suggested that Wallace had only been able to deliver a few lines at a time during filming because she had found Phoenix's accent so tricky. However, responding to the claims, Wallace told The Mirror: "I've worked incredibly hard to perfect the accent, listening to archive (more)...
- 7/23/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
The team behind the BBC's new drama exploring the origins of Coronation Street have dismissed tabloid rumours surrounding Jessie Wallace's performance in the programme. Earlier today, a newspaper reported that Wallace had struggled to master a northern accent after taking on the role of Pat Phoenix, who played Weatherfield legend Elsie Tanner. Among the allegations printed were suggestions that the star was only able to shoot a few lines at a time as she supposedly worked with a dedicated voice coach on set. It was also claimed that Wallace's alleged problems had caused her to regret accepting the part. However, the drama's director Charles Sturridge told Digital Spy: "Jessie is completely brilliant as Pat Phoenix. She nailed the accent from day one but more importantly captures Pat's vulnerability, energy, anarchy and humour. It (more)...
- 7/22/2010
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Jessie Wallace has reportedly struggled to master a northern accent for her latest TV role. The actress, who will return to EastEnders later this year, will play Pat Phoenix in BBC Four's new docu-drama about the origins of Coronation Street. The Sun reports that a dedicated vocal coach is on set to help Wallace imitate Pat Phoenix, the actress who starred as Elsie Tanner in the ITV soap. "Jessie feels like a fish out of water. Most of the actors are northern and she wants to get it just right," a source said. The 38-year-old is only shooting several lines at a time, allowing the vocal coach to read them to her before she repeats them. The source (more)...
- 7/22/2010
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Jessie Wallace is ''proud'' to star in a show about 'Coronation Street'. The former 'EastEnders' actress is currently working on 'Florizel Street', where she is delighted to portray iconic actress Pat Phoenix in the one-off show based around the early stages of the 40-year-old soap. She said: ''I'm proud and excited to be playing the role of such an iconic actress as Pat. And I'm loving my part in telling the story of 'Coronation Street'.'' The role should come easily to Jessie, as her 'EastEnders' alter-ego Kat Moon has always been known for her man-loving ways and penchant for an alcoholic drink - ..
- 7/1/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Jessie Wallace has landed a role in a show about 'Coronation Street'. The 'EastEnders' actress is set to star in upcoming BBC Four drama 'Florizel Street' - which was the working title given to the long-running show before it was renamed in 1960 - about the early days of the 40-year-old soap. The 38-year-old star has landed the role of Pat Phoenix, the actress who played 'tart with a heart' Elsie Tanner in the early years in Weatherfield. Filming of the one-off show began in Manchester yesterday (28.06.10), and will see Jessie star alongside 'Absolutely Fabulous' actress Jane Horrocks - who will portray Granada ..
- 6/29/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
BBC Four has announced an all-star cast for its Coronation Street 'origins' drama. EastEnders returnee Jessie Wallace takes on the role of Pat Phoenix, who became tart-with-a-heart Elsie Tanner, while Open All Hours star Lynda Baron will play Violet Carson, who landed the role of harridan-in-a-hairnet Ena Sharples. Renowned actress Celia Imrie, meanwhile, has signed to appear as Annie Walker performer Doris Speed and William Roache's real-life son James will portray a younger version of his father. The one-off drama is to tell the story of how ITV soap Coronation Street was born and how the show's creator Tony Warren - a younger version of whom will be played by David Dawson - brought Salford to life on television screens around the world. Then-Granada casting director Margaret Morris will be portrayed by Jane Horrocks, and (more)...
- 6/28/2010
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
The Manchester-born actor on why she has played truants, schemers and tearaways all her life
"Am I blind or are you hiding?" I get this text from Joanne Whalley as I'm looking directly at her, eye to eye, at a coffeeshop near her home in West Hollywood. She's the one who seems to be hiding: slender and on the small side, wearing sombre colours and sunglasses on a gloomy winter's day. She might be a suburban mother picking up the kids, or one of those quietly dangerous film-noirish women – in shades, dressed to blend in – she has played on more than one occasion.
After the release of Scandal in 1989, in which she played Christine Keeler, Whalley seemed on the verge of something huge. She had recently married the Hollywood star Val Kilmer and moved to the Us. But the marriage lasted eight years, and the career did not. Some people...
"Am I blind or are you hiding?" I get this text from Joanne Whalley as I'm looking directly at her, eye to eye, at a coffeeshop near her home in West Hollywood. She's the one who seems to be hiding: slender and on the small side, wearing sombre colours and sunglasses on a gloomy winter's day. She might be a suburban mother picking up the kids, or one of those quietly dangerous film-noirish women – in shades, dressed to blend in – she has played on more than one occasion.
After the release of Scandal in 1989, in which she played Christine Keeler, Whalley seemed on the verge of something huge. She had recently married the Hollywood star Val Kilmer and moved to the Us. But the marriage lasted eight years, and the career did not. Some people...
- 1/28/2010
- by John Patterson
- The Guardian - Film News
Coronation Street stalwart William Roache has revealed that former colleague Patricia Phoenix refused to talk to him for two years following a feud over a scene in the soap. Roache, who has played Ken Barlow for 48 years, claimed that Phoenix disagreed with the script of a heated exchange between her character, Elsie Tanner, and Ken. "Very early on... Ken was a young student married to Val, and Ena Sharples and Elsie Tanner had accused my wife Val of something which I can’t remember," Roache recalled to BBC Breakfast. "Ken had a scene in the Rovers where he told them off... leaving them with egg on their faces." He explained that in rehearsals, Phoenix - who died of lung cancer in 1986 - said to the director: "I don’t think she would take it from this young man. I think as he’s leaving (more)...
- 10/24/2008
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
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