Babs (2017)

A drama about the life and career of actress Barbara Windsor.

Director:

Dominic Leclerc

Writers:

Tony Jordan, Barbara Windsor (based on book by)

Stars:

Samantha Spiro, Charlie Archer, Nick Moran

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samantha Spiro	...	Babs
Charlie Archer	...	Scott Mitchell
Nick Moran	...	John Deeks
Honor Kneafsey	...	Teen Barbara
Leanne Best	...	Rose Deeks
Florence Keen	...	Child Barbara
Nathan Harmer	...	Brian Mickey
Marty Cruikshank	...	Aida Foster
Peter Hamilton Dyer	...	Producer
Matthew Bates	...	Rosie's Lawyer
Robert East	...	Divorce Judge
Lewis Kirk	...	Johnny Brandon
Cally Lawrence	...	Wardrobe Mistress
Jaime Winstone	...	Barbara
Sue Elliott-Nichols	...	Shoe Shop Manageress

Storyline

In 1993 middle-aged actress Barbara Windsor sits on a stage, conversing with John Deeks, the dead father who recognized her talent as a child but disappeared from her life after her parents divorced, her mother giving her her stage name. From stage school Barbara starts singing at Ronnie Scott's club, where she meets the charming but crooked Ronnie Knight, ending up a pregnant prisoner's wife, in need of an abortion. Things look up when she joins Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop group and gets a part in Lionel Bart's 'Fings Ain't Wot They Used to Be'. Film and television parts slowly come in, notably the 'Carry On' franchise, and despite Joan's warning that Barbara may be type-cast as the perpetual dumb blonde Barbara is smart enough to exploit the persona, acquiring a handsome young husband and becoming a national treasure.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | barbara windsor character | actress | blonde | singing | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Samantha Spiro first played Barbara Windsor in 1998 at the Royal National Theatre in Terry Johnson's "Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick". When Johnson adapted the play for television, as Cor, Blimey! (2000), Spiro reprised the role.

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Alternate Versions

When shown on UK commercial TV (e.g. Drama, ITV etc) the line (first time on set with Kenneth Williams): "Don't you talk to me like that [with Fenella Fielding's minge-hair stuck around your chops,] 'cos I won't bloody stand for it!", the part in parentheses is cut. Williams' subsequent amusement at her vulgarity makes much less sense.

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Connections

References Sparrows Can't Sing (1963)

User Reviews

RIP BARBARA.. You will be missed.

Watching it now, ... very impressed with the young girl playing her .. don't know who she is but she's got Barbara Windsors cheeky smile. Yes, it's a bit cheesy in places, but it's an excellent tribute to a National treasure. Sleep well Babs x

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 2017 (UK)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Red Planet Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color