The Road to Coronation Street (2010)

The story of how the 22-year-old Tony Warren conceived, wrote and fought for the record breaking UK TV series Coronation Street (1960).

Director:

Charles Sturridge

Writer:

Daran Little

Stars:

Ann Aris, Lynda Baron, Steven Berkoff

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ann Aris	...	Nita Valerie (as Anne Aris)
Lynda Baron	...	Violet Carson
Steven Berkoff	...	Sidney Bernstein
David Dawson	...	Tony Warren
Sophia Di Martino	...	Josie Scott
Shaun Dooley	...	Derek Bennett
Henry Goodman	...	Cecil Bernstein
Michelle Holmes	...	Brenda
Jane Horrocks	...	Margaret Morris
Celia Imrie	...	Doris Speed
Christian McKay	...	Harry Elton
Tara Moran	...	Edna Walker
Phoebe Nicholls	...	Mrs Simpson
Malcolm Raeburn	...	Board Member
James Roache	...	William Roache

Storyline

In 1960 a former child actor with writing ambitions,Mancunian Tony Warren begins submitting television scripts for 'Shadow Squad' to progressive Canadian producer Harry Elton,who wants to nurture local talent. Tony,however,is keen to sell a drama he has written about real Northerners,called 'Florizel Street',after a picture of Prince Florizel in his office. Harry is supportive but Granada studio boss Sidney Bernstein is lukewarm,feeling it is seedy and unglamorous. Fortunately his brother Cecil sees the virtue in cheaply made studio drama with local actors and,with writer Harry Kershaw and director Derek Bennett on board,the street's residents are cast. Thirteen episodes are commissioned but the pivotal character of battle-axe Ena Sharples is proving impossible to cast until Tony brings in a cantankerous old actress from his radio days - Violet Carson. She is perfect. Less perfect is the title,which the tea lady says sounds like disinfectant. A new title must be found quickly - and so...

---

Plot Keywords:

television script | 1960s | character says break a leg | ends with text | acting | 

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 2010 (UK)

Also Known As:

Corrie: The Road to Coronation Street

Filming Locations:

Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITV Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place in 1960.

---

Quotes

Agnes the tea-lady: "Florizel Street"? Is that what it's called? Sounds like a disinfectant.

---

Crazy Credits

Closing-credits statement: "Within six months Coronation Street was the most popular programme on British television".

---

Connections

References Biggles (1960)

---

Soundtracks

FBI
(uncredited)
Written by Hank B. Marvin (uncredited), Bruce Welch (uncredited) and Jet Harris (uncredited)
Performed by The Shadows

User Reviews

Well-done, probably authentic

I've just finished an on-line viewing of this opus on the CBC's website and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it's well-acted, well-done and worthwhile: "Coronation Street" is a national, even international, phenomenon, and seeing its very beginnings is at least educational. It's interesting that William Roache is played by one of the Roache family--the actor himself felt that the show he had been cast in was only to run 13 episodes. The woman who plays Pat Phoenix was, I think, better-looking than the actual actress, and played here with conviction: Pat Phoenix was about to quit her acting career when offered the role of Elsie Tanner. That the show was conceived and initially pushed forward by a man, Tony Warren, who felt strongly that he had something to say that others would want to see shows the power of perseverance. As a long-time "Street" watcher, I am glad he, and those who supported him, got what they wanted.