The Rita Tushingham Home Page

Credits & Photos 2000 - 2009

Out Of Depth

"Margaret Nixon"

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Seeking to avenge an assault on his mother (Rita Tushingham), Paul Nixon asks a local enforcer to give the attacker a beating. The enforcer has also been contracted to kill the same man, and soon Paul is thrown into an impossible situation involving drug smuggling, violence and intimidation.
The DVD contains cast interviews, including Rita, as a DVD extra.
Out Of Depth (2000), on DVD, with Rita Tushingham, Sean Maguire, Danny Midwinter, Nicholas Ball, Phil Cornwell, Josephine Butler, Leigh Lawson, Clive Russell, Karen Seacombe, David Battley, music by Barry Adamson, cinematography by Adam Suschitzky, written by Simon Marshall, directed by Simon Marshall.
The DVD contains cast interviews, including Rita, as a DVD extra.
- DVD Region 2, PAL format (Europe) - Amazon UK, more online sellers

Home Ground

"Nellie"

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Nellie and Mikie beg on cold Huddersfield streets, and take home just a few pounds a day. When Mikie hits it big on the horses, he tries to keep his win from Nellie, but circumstances get the better of his secret. Nellie finds out. Can she fend off local scavengers, and will Mikie make it up to Nellie?
A 10-minute, 35mm film produced by Sunlight Pictures with a Ł30K lottery-funded grant from the UK Film Council. Filmed in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England.
Home Ground (2000), with Craig Cheetham, Keith Clifford, Rita Tushingham, produced by Chris Buck, cinematography by Dirk Nel, Martin Weiss, written by Alison Pennells, directed by Jonathan Haren.

Open House With Gloria Hunniford

"herself"

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Interview with Anne Archer, discussing her film career and taking over the role of Mrs. Robinson in the West End production of The Graduate. Dr. Roy McGregor discusses Alzheimers Awareness Week and stress in the workplace. Interview with Rita Tushingham, discussing her latest film Out Of Depth. On film, Stefan Buczacki reports from his Warwickshire home with the latest news on his garden. Paul Bloxham cooks Lebanese Vegetarian Meze.
Open House With Gloria Hunniford (02 Jul 2001) episode 2001.07.02, with Rita Tushingham, Gloria Hunniford, Anne Archer, Roy McGregor.

Helen West

Shadow Play

"Margaret Mellors"

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A weird road worker, frequently arrested for molestation and lewd acts, becomes even more dangerous. Meanwhile, Helen befriends a sexually promiscuous colleague with a dark past.
The second of three TV episodes based upon Frances Fyfield's novels about her fictional Crown Prosecutor, Helen West (Amanda Burton).
Helen West (13 May 2002) episode 1.2, Shadow Play, on DVD, with Rita Tushingham, Amanda Burton, Conor Mullen, Freddie Annobil-Dodoo, Michael Byrne, Anthony Howell, Simon Lowe, Jessica Oyelowo, Gary Powell, Robert Pugh, Louise Rolfe, Scot Williams, Nicholas Woodeson, music by Richard G. Mitchell, cinematography by Gordon Hickie, written by Frances Fyfield, Jacqueline Holborough, Shelagh Stephenson, directed by Coky Giedroyc.
- DVD Region 1, NTSC format (USA, Canada) - Amazon USA, Amazon Canada
- DVD Region 2, PAL format (Europe) - Amazon UK, more online sellers

The Vagina Monologues

Nina Wadia replaced actress Maria Friedman in the cast after the latter suffered a broken foot.
The Vagina Monologues (2002), with Rita Tushingham, Nina Wadia, Aicha Kossoko, Penelope McGhie, written by Eve Ensler, directed by Irina Brown.
- 25 Jun 2002 - 20 Jul 2002, Arts Theatre, Great Newport Street, London WC1E 7HF

The Stretford Wives

"Marilyn Massey"

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Darkly comic drama following the lives and loves of three sisters living in Manchester. Donna gets beaten up by her psycho husband, Elaine gets shafted in every conceivable way by the factory manager, and posh Linda is so unpopular she pretends to have a brain tumour just to get a bit of sympathy. The sisters are reunited when one of them commits a murder. The best moments arise from the inspired casting of Rita Tushingham – who steals every scene she is in – as the proud mother of this delinquent trio.
Interviewed about her role in this drama, Rita said, "I love film, absolutely love it. It's of the moment and it's quite scary. Once I was into film it just felt like home. I love to be on set and the whole thing is so exciting to me. But I never like seeing myself. I absolutely hate it – have from day one," she confesses. "It's the hugest cringe factor, because you're watching yourself – regardless of whether you're playing the character, it's still you on there. I just can't do it."
The Stretford Wives (21 Aug 2002), with Rita Tushingham, Fay Ripley, Claire Rushbrook, Lindsey Coulson, Mark Frost, Joe Dixon, Adrian Rawlins, Stevie Jones, Ashley Thewlis, Andrew Dunn, music by Edmund Butt, cinematography by Daniel Bronks, written by Daniel Brockelhurst, directed by Peter Webber.

SOUL: Sounds Of Underground London

The Mod Generation: Clean Living In Difficult Circumstances

"herself"

The second in a series of eight episodes looking at 50 years in the life of London's underground music scene, documenting the history of British Youth Culture from Teddy Boys to the Acid Jazz movement. In this episode, the history of England's original 60s Mod movement is traced through interviews with original 60s Mods, musicians, and rare archival footage. The Mods were all about R&B, drink, uppers, scooters, and unique fashion style.
Rita does not appear in the other seven episodes of the series, which are:
- (21 Feb 2003) episode 1.1 "The Teddy Boy Generation: The Edwardian Connection"
- (07 Mar 2003) episode 1.3 "The Skinhead Generation: 54, 46 Was My Number"
- (14 Mar 2003) episode 1.4 "The Northern Soul Generation: Keep The Faith"
- (21 Mar 2003) episode 1.5 "The Soul Boy Generation: The Soul Patrol"
- (28 Mar 2003) episode 1.6 "The Mod Revival Generation: Time For Action"
- (04 Apr 2003) episode 1.7 "The Rare Groove Generation: Get On The Good Foot"
- (11 Apr 2003) episode 1.8 "The Acid Jazz Generation: Thelonius Monk And Melodious Funk"
SOUL: Sounds Of Underground London (28 Feb 2003), episode 1.2, The Mod Generation: Clean Living In Difficult Circumstances, on DVD, with Rita Tushingham, Mary Quant, John Entwistle, Kenny Jones, Georgie Fame, Geno Washington, Sir Jimmy Saville, Chris Farlowe, Mike Evans, narrated by Mark Lamarr, music by Pete Brown, cinematography by Steve Robson, written by Edward Piller, directed by Titus Ogilvy.
- DVD Region 0 (all regions), NTSC format (USA, Canada) - The Video Beat

The DVD Collection

"herself"

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Stuart Maconie reviews the best of new and classic cinema released on DVD, with a look at DVD bonus features and Sixties British cinema. Guest actress Rita Tushingham reviews A Taste Of Honey. Actress & comedienne Jackie Clune reviews Kissing Jessica Stein. Writer Denise Mina reviews Sexy Beast.
The DVD Collection (29 Mar 2003) episode 2003.03.29, with Rita Tushingham, Stuart Maconie, Jackie Clune, Hannah McGill, Denise Mina, directed by David Council.

Woman's Hour

"herself"

BBC radio programme with a discussion of online pornography with writer Sean Thomas and psychiatrist Mark Morris. Actress Rita Tushingham discusses her career and her role in Smashing Time. Simon Parkes talks about the River Cafe and sardines. Art historian Rosemary Baird discusses rich women of the 18th & early 19th centuries and their love for their houses. Claudia Hammond talks about the Alexander Technique of swimming.
Woman's Hour (25 Jul 2003), with Rita Tushingham, Rosemary Baird, Claudia Hammond, Mark Morris, Simon Parkes, Sean Thomas, presented by Martha Kearney.

Life Beyond The Box: Margo Leadbetter

"Celia Fishwick"

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"Mockumentary" chronicling the life of Margo Leadbetter, a character from the the British comedy series The Good Life (1975-1978). Archive footage from that series is bridged with scenes filmed with present-day actors, including Rita, who plays Margo's former flatmate Celia Fishwick, an artist and art dealer, who was privy to many of Margo's personal debacles.
Life Beyond The Box: Margo Leadbetter (31 Dec 2003), with Rita Tushingham, Penelope Keith, Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Max Bollinger, Judith Chalmers, written by Jonathan Harvey, directed by Margy Kinmonth.

The DVD Collection

60's Special

"herself"

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Stuart Maconie reviews the best of new and classic cinema released on DVD, with a look at DVD bonus features and Sixties British cinema. In this special edition, Stuart Maconie selects the key British films of the 1960s, including A Hard Day's Night, Performance, Blow Up, Tonite Let's All Make Love In London, and The Knack.
The DVD Collection (13 Jun 2004) episode 60's Special, with Rita Tushingham, Stuart Maconie, Quentin Falk, Richard Lester, Barry Miles, Sarah Miles, Nicolas Roeg, Peter Whitehead, directed by Marcus Harben.

Being Julia

Csodálatos Júlia

"Aunt Carrie"

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The glamour and superficiality surrounding the London theatre scene of the 1930s is brought to life in István Szabó's stylish comedy drama. Based on a W. Somerset Maugham novella, it's an atmospheric tale of impetuous love and calculating revenge. An effervescent Annette Bening plays the 40-something stage actress and society queen, who begins a turbulent affair with a gold-digging young American (Shaun Evans). Initially energized by their illicit meetings, the married diva is increasingly pained by Evans' playboy ways, particularly his relationship with a beautiful acting hopeful (Lucy Punch). This character-driven piece benefits from solid performances and a sharply amusing script. Although Bening occasionally overplays her role, she's no less appealing for it, while Michael Gambon is fabulous as her ghostly mentor.
Being Julia (2004) aka Csodálatos Júlia, on DVD, with Rita Tushingham, Annette Bening, Jeremy Irons, Michael Gambon, Juliet Stevenson, Lucy Punch, Leigh Lawson, Shaun Evans, Miriam Margolyes, Bruce Greenwood, Rosemary Harris, Maury Chaykin, music by Mychael Danna, cinematography by Lajos Koltai, written by W. Somerset Maugham, Ronald Harwood, directed by István Szabó.
- DVD Region 1, NTSC format (USA, Canada) - Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, more online sellers
- DVD Region 2, PAL format (Europe) - Amazon UK, more online sellers
- DVD Region 4, PAL format (Australia) - Devoted DVD
- Soundtrack CD - Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Amazon UK

Loneliness And The Modern Pentathlon

"headmistress"

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A charismatic headmistress-trainer presides over the daily life of her charges, a group of young Modern Pentathletes. The surveying gaze of this authoritarian but sensual coach puts into perspective the athletes’ communal activities. Her regard – sometimes tender, sometimes cool – is echoed by the observations of a roving camera in a flowing series of vignettes which accumulate in a loose and poetic rhythm rather than a strict narrative.
This film creates a utopian fiction around the Modern Pentathlon discipline (running, swimming, shooting, fencing, and horseback riding), springboarding from this arcane Olympic sport to an investigation of Modernity, Romanticism, and the struggle for wholeness. Folding sport, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, and music into the medium of film, it lightly strives to become a contemporary Gesamtkunstwerk (total artwork) – an updated Bauhaus experiment informed by 60s New Wave filmmaking.
A 17-minute, 16mm film without dialogue, created by American artist Daria Martin, who lives and works in London. Features a dreamlike soundtrack by acclaimed experimental New York-based harpist Zeena Parkins. Funded in 2004 from the London Artists' Film and Video Awards (LAFVA), an open-submission awards scheme for artists living and working in the London area.
- 07 May 2005 - , Premiered at the Kino Arsenal II, Potsdamer Str. 2, 10785 Berlin
- 02 Apr 2006 - 09 Apr 2006, Starr Auditorium, Tate Modern gallery, Bankside, London
Loneliness And The Modern Pentathlon (2005), with Rita Tushingham, music by Zeena Parkins, cinematography by Noski Deville, written by Daria Martin, directed by Daria Martin.

^{Rita Tushingham}

The Paul O'Grady Show

"herself"

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Contains an interview with actor Jonathan Wilkes. The five canine finalists for "Mutt Of The Year" are presented. New DVDs available for summer 2005 are discussed. Rita Tushingham talks about her guest appearance in an upcoming episode of the New Tricks television series.
The Paul O'Grady Show (24 May 2005) episode 2005.05.24, with Rita Tushingham, Paul O'Grady, Jonathan Wilkes.

New Tricks

"Elise Allen"

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Attractive widow and probate assessor Elise Allen (Rita Tushingham) asks Halford (James Bolam) to find the rightful owner of a large, uncut red diamond, worth Ł15 million. She found the rare jewel in a flat rented by a man who died in 1982.
New Tricks follows the antics of three retired cops recruited by Superintendent Pullman to reinvestigate unsolved crimes. The cops have for a variety of reasons handed over their badges and accepted premature retirement. But their hunger to right the wrongs of the past is still strong, and they're willing to resort to the most unconventional methods if it means they can close a case.
New Tricks (06 Jun 2005) episode 2.5, with Rita Tushingham, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong, James Bolam, Dennis Waterman, Anthony Valentine, Sean Chapman, Carolyn Allen, David de Keyser, Natalie Forbes, Amanda Haberland, Heather James, Susan Jameson, Tom Karol, Jodie Kelly, Kate Miles, Stuart Organ, Miranda Pleasence, Veronica Roberts, Jonathan Tafler, Izabella Telezynska, music by Mike Moran, Nigel Hess, cinematography by Andrew McDonnell, Peter Middleton, written by Karen McLachlan, directed by Martyn Friend.

Autumn 2005

Rita's mum, Enid Ellen Lott Tushingham, passed away in Liverpool on 15 Nov 2005, at age 96. (Rita's father, John Tushingham, passed away in 1996.) Rita says, "We would always bring each other violets, so I will bring some to the funeral." The funeral service for Enid was held at St. Peter's church, Woolton, the same church in which she was married.

Rita with her mum Enid, eldest brother Peter, left, and elder brother Colin. From the Liverpool Echo newspaper, 19 Nov 2005.

^{Enid Tushingham}
Rita's mum donated this land at the corner of Ashton Drive, Woolton, to the city of Liverpool to be used for a library. In 2001, she successfully campaigned to prevent the land from being used for a bus turnaround. See the complete online article from the archives of the Liverpool Daily Post. Photo from the Liverpool Echo newspaper, 19 Nov 2005.

Marple: The Sittaford Mystery

"Miss Elizabeth Percehouse"

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You have to admire the cheek of the makers of these Marple dramatizations – this is the second time they've shoehorned the old dear into a story. She joined Tommy and Tuppence in By The Pricking Of My Thumbs, and here she's parachuted into The Sittaford Mystery, something Agatha Christie presumably didn't intend as she didn't write St. Mary Mead's most august resident into either of these stories. But here she is, in an old dark house on a snowy night, en route to visit her nephew. Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) shares the same roof as promising politician and potential prime minister Clive Trevelyan (Timothy Dalton), and his agent and best friend Enderby (Mel Smith). The house is thrown into turmoil when, despite the terrible storm raging outside, Trevelyan is determined to spend the night at a rundown hotel in a town six miles away. There's some nonsense with a ouija board, a seance, and an escaped convict – and, of course, there's a murder. Though Christie purists might find the whole thing absurd, it's all good, creepy, star-packed fun.
This is Michael Attwell's last performance. Filming was completed in January 2006. He died on 18 March 2006, at age 63.
Marple: The Sittaford Mystery (30 Apr 2006), on DVD, with Rita Tushingham, Geraldine McEwan, Timothy Dalton, Robert Hickson, Robert Hardy, Laurence Fox, James Murray, Ian Hallard, Zoe Telford, Jeffery Kissoon, Mel Smith, James Wilby, Paul Kaye, Michael Brandon, Carey Mulligan, Patricia Hodge, Matthew Kelly, Michael Attwell, music by Dominik Scherrer, cinematography by Nicholas Knowland, written by Agatha Christie, Stephen Churchett, directed by Paul Unwin.
- DVD Region 2, PAL format (Europe) - Amazon UK, more online sellers
- DVD Region 4, PAL format (Australia) - Devoted DVD

Puffball

"Molly"

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British director Nicolas Roeg's first film in 15 years is a supernatural drama set amidst the rolling hills of the Irish countryside. Needing to escape the city and her demanding boss Lars (Donald Sutherland), young architect Liffey (Kelly Reilly) and boyfriend Richard (Oscar Pearce) buy a cottage in the Irish hills to restore. The Tucker family, who lived there previously and has now moved to a nearby farm, soon makes the couple uneasy, especially mother-of-three daughters Mabs (Miranda Richardson), who can't hide her desire to have a son. The atmosphere takes a turn for the worse when Liffey announces she's pregnant, mainly because Mabs's mother Molly (Rita Tushingham) has been trying, through use of black magic, to finally have her own grandson. Isolated in her pregnancy, Liffey is soon surrounded by a family convinced that the baby she is carrying rightly belongs to Mabs.
An adaptation of Fay Weldon's 1980 novel of the same name that was adapted by Fay's son Dan Weldon. Shot on location in Monaghan, Ireland, mostly in the Rossmore Forest, in the Spring of 2006.
Puffball (2007), on DVD, with Kelly Reilly, Miranda Richardson, Rita Tushingham, Oscar Pearce, William Houston, Donald Sutherland, Leona Igoe, Tina Kellegher, Pat Deery, music by Chris Crilly, Thierry Gauthier, Delphine Measroch, cinematography by Nigel Willoughby, written by Fay Weldon, Dan Weldon, directed by Nicolas Roeg.
- DVD Region 2, PAL format (Europe) - Amazon UK, more online sellers

^{Rita Tushingham}

^{Rita Tushingham}
Rita arrives at the UK premiere of Puffball, 17 July 2008, at Empire Leicester Square.

^{Rita Tushingham}
Rita at the UK premiere of Puffball, 17 July 2008, at Empire Leicester Square.

The 60s: The Beatles Decade

Teenage Rebels: 1960 - 1962

"herself"

Taking a close look at how the Beatles personified the huge changes that the 1960s witnessed. The Beatles decade began in Liverpool in July, 1957, when 16-year-old John Lennon and 15-year-old Paul McCartney met. They listened to American artists and hung out in the Jacaranda coffee bar, part of a new breed of 'teenagers' who benefited from their parents' increasing affluence.
The 60s: The Beatles Decade (10 Jul 2006) episode 1.1, Teenage Rebels: 1960 - 1962, with Rita Tushingham, Rod Argent, Alan Ayckbourn, Tony Barrow, Steven Berkoff, Alan Bleasdale, James Fox, Paul Gambaccini, Juliet Gardiner, Lord Heseltine, Maxwell Hutchinson, George Melly, Mandy Merck, Ferdinand Mount, Dave Munden, Philip Norman, Mary Quant, Dominic Sandbrook, Alistair Taylor, Klaus Voormann, Arnold Wesker, Alan Williams, directed by Paul Oremland.

The 60s: The Beatles Decade

Sex, Spies, And Rock And Roll: 1962 - 1964

"herself"

Taking a close look at how the Beatles personified the huge changes that the 1960s witnessed. In Liverpool, the Beatles caused a sensation at the Cavern Club. Youth was all the rage and the old Tory Prime Minister Harold McMillian seemed out of step with the times. The Profumo sex scandal soon nailed the Tories and before long Harold Wilson's Labour government took power.
The 60s: The Beatles Decade (11 Jul 2006) episode 1.2, Sex, Spies, And Rock And Roll: 1962 - 1964, with Rita Tushingham, Christopher Andrew, Rod Argent, Alan Ayckbourn, Tony Barrow, Steven Berkoff, Sid Bernstein, Hunter Davies, Paul Gambaccini, Juliet Gardiner, A.C. Grayling, Lord Healey, Lord Heseltine, Peter Hitchens, Maxwell Hutchinson, Mandy Merck, Dave Munden, Philip Norman, Sian Phillips, Mary Quant, Dominic Sandbrook, Alistair Taylor, Jim Tomlinson, Arnold Wesker, directed by Li-Da Kruger.

The 60s: The Beatles Decade

Swinging Britain: 1965 - 1966

"herself"

A close look at how the Beatles personified the huge changes that the 1960s witnessed. By 1965, the cultural renaissance of Britain was in full swing and the Beatles embodied the feeling of optimism. The new fashion labels like Biba, new faces like Twiggy, and hairdressers like Vidal Sassoon were all important ingredients in the explosion of Swinging London.
With the exception of a five-second sound bite in the last episode, Rita does not appear in the remaining two episodes of the series, which are:
- (13 Jul 2006) episode 1.4 "Peace & Protest: 1967 - 1968"
  - In 1967, the Beatles produced the drug-fueled Sergeant Pepper, an album that would affect our culture enormously. Meanwhile, Britain was undergoing a radical transformation from the legalisation of homosexuality and abortion to the relaxation of theatre censorship.
- (14 Jul 2006) episode 1.5 "The Party's Over: 1969 - 1970"
  - As the decade came to an end, a more chaotic world was to come. But what had changed dramatically during the 1960s was the education system and the introduction of the 11-plus exam. Both John Lennon and Paul McCartney went to Liverpool Grammar schools.
The 60s: The Beatles Decade (12 Jul 2006) episode 1.3, Swinging Britain: 1965 - 1966, with Rita Tushingham, Christopher Andrew, Rod Argent, Tony Barrow, Tony Benn, Colin Blunstone, Hunter Davies, James Fox, Juliet Gardiner, Lord Heseltine, Barbara Hulanicki, Prue Leith, Gered Mankowitz, David Medalla, Diana Melly, George Melly, Mandy Merck, Philip Norman, Anita Pallenberg, Sian Phillips, Martin Polley, Mary Quant, Dominic Sandbrook, Jim Tomlinson, Klaus Voormann, directed by Li-Da Kruger.

Richard & Judy

"herself"

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Former 'EastEnder' Sid Owen talks about his time on EastEnders and his new series for ITV1, Bad Girls. Jill Scott from London creates a stained glass window with the help of artist Sarah Worthington. Actress Rita Tushingham, DJ Tony Blackburn, and former Beatles Press Officer Tony Barrow join Richard & Judy to discuss the decade of the Sixties, in connection with a series of episodes being shown on the UKTV History channel.
Richard & Judy (13 Jul 2006) episode 2006.07.13, with Rita Tushingham, Richard Madeley, Judy Finnigan, Mike McClean, Sid Owen, Jill Scott, Sarah Worthington, Tony Blackburn, Tony Barrow, Vanessa Feltz, Caitlin Moran, Grub Smith.

Breakfast

"herself"

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Daily BBC current affairs magazine programme presented by Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid. News items include crisis on border of Israel and Lebanon; British forces managing Cyprus evacuation; long-term nursing care for old people; rise in complaints against airlines; British Open golf championship; cancer suvivors Sarah Claydon-Bone and Alex Baron discuss the Relay for Life cancer-support races with actress Rita Tushingham, whose younger daughter Aisha has recently dealt with breast cancer.
Breakfast (21 Jul 2006) episode 2006.07.21, with Rita Tushingham, Paul Adams, Anita Astle, Alex Baron, Bethany Bell, Michelle Beriedale-Johnson, Jules Botfield, Des Browne, Simon Calder, Sarah Claydon-Bone, Crispin Coates, Declan Curry, Lyse Doucet, Anton Du Beke, Chris Hollins, Rhian Hollister, Anthony Horowitz, Mick Hume, Carol Kirkwood, Bashar Labban, Jo Labban, Julie Morton, Clive Myrie, Toby Nicol, Ian Pannell, Alex Pettyfer, Susanna Reid, Trewin Restorick, Sam Torrance, Bill Turnbull, Nicholas Witchell.

Richard & Judy

"herself"

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Kim Woodburn, star of the TV series How Clean Is Your House? talks about her abusive childhood and depression in her new autobiography Unbeaten. Laurie Brett discusses her career and her role in Britain's favorite soap opera, EastEnders. Actress Rita Tushingham and her younger daughter Aisha discuss their fight against Aisha's breast cancer. Jan Dobson and her son Ben, proprietors of Bank House fly-fishery, recount their traumatic experience last week when they were attacked by an angry mob of animal-rights activists. Our own Sarah Cawood goes to a pedicurist to find out why one in three Britons hate their feet.
Richard & Judy (22 Aug 2006) episode 2006.08.22, with Rita Tushingham, Richard Madeley, Judy Finnigan, Mike McClean, Kim Woodburn, Laurie Brett, Aisha Tushingham, Jan Dobson, Ben Dobson, Sarah Cawood.

Angel Cake

"Millie"

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Sitcom about a cakemaker and her dysfunctional family who live on a grimy estate. When Elaine's rock buns come out of the oven resembling the Virgin Mary, potentially miraculous consequences follow for her family and friends. Her arthritic mother Millie is suddenly able to move freely, her irresponsible son Todd falls in love, and both she and her husband Ed are offered the chance of other relationships. But miracles are not all they seem.
Rita filmed this BBC comedy in July 2006, during an unusually intense heat wave in England. She says, "We were shooting in a very small house, and the heat was almost unbearable."
Angel Cake (15 Sep 2006), with Rita Tushingham, Sarah Lancashire, Vicky Hall, Dean Stobbart, Laura Norton, Joseph Grieves, Michael Hodgson, Simon Slater, Julie Dawn Cole, music by Mark Russell, cinematography by Oliver Cheesman, written by Keith Temple, directed by Simon Delaney.

Title screen.

Rita's credit screen.

^{Rita Tushingham}
Millie arrives at her daughter Elaine's back door, but due to her arthritis, requires some assistance to get past the threshold.

^{Rita Tushingham}
Millie's joints will feel better once she sits down.

^{Rita Tushingham}
Millie would rather drag herself over to her daughter's house than spend the day alone.

^{Sarah Lancashire, Vicky Hall}
Elaine is baking some rock cakes when there is a sudden miraculous flash of light from the oven.

^{Rita Tushingham}
Millie has to close her eyes against the bright light.

^{Rita Tushingham}
Millie looks at the hot rock cakes and can't believe her eyes. They form the shape of the Virgin Mary!

^{Sarah Lancashire, Vicky Hall}
Really? Nah.

Yep.

^{Sarah Lancashire, Vicky Hall}
Okay, you're right!

^{Rita Tushingham}
Next morning, Millie bends down to pick up the milk, and feels no arthritic pain. It's a miracle!

^{Rita Tushingham}
She is able to stretch fully, without pain!

^{Rita Tushingham}
Now pain-free, she celebrates with some friends.

^{Rita Tushingham}
Millie demonstrates her new flexibility by performing a front somersault.

The Hideout

Il Nascondiglio

"Paula Hardyn"

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A mystery-thriller about an Italian woman (Laura Morante) who moves to Davenport, Iowa, to open a restaurant. After her husband commits suicide, she spends 15 years recovering at a Minnesota mental hospital. When she builds herself up enough to begin another restaurant, she discovers that a murder took place there 50 years earlier. She decides to investigate and finds a secret plot.
Filmed on location in Davenport, Iowa, and Rome, Italy.
The Hideout (2007) aka Il Nascondiglio, on DVD, with Laura Morante, Rita Tushingham, Treat Williams, Burt Young, Yvonne Sciň, Peter Soderberg, Giovanni Lombardo Radice, Angela Pagano, Sydne Rome, Angela Goodwin, Marin Jo Finerty, Chiara Tortorella, Tom Rottger-Morgan, Marina Ninchi, music by Riz Ortolani, cinematography by Cesare Bastelli, written by Pupi Avati, Francesco Marcucci, directed by Pupi Avati.
- DVD Region 2, PAL format (Europe) - DVD Italia

The film's cast makes a publicity appearance in Rome in November 2007. From left to right: actors Yvonne Sciň, Rita Tushingham, Laura Morante, Burt Young, writer/director Pupi Avati.

^{Rita Tushingham}
Publicity appearance in Rome, November 2007.

Autumn 2006

Article about daughter Aisha's breast cancer that appeared in the Liverpool Daily Post on 09 May 2006.

^{Aisha Bicknell, Rita Tushingham}
Click on the above photo for the article from the Daily Telegraph newspaper, 21 Aug 2006, concerning how Rita and her younger daugher Aisha dealt with Aisha's breast cancer.

^{Aisha Bicknell, Rita Tushingham}
Aisha says, "I had this 'cold cap' treatment in which they put a frozen neoprene cap on my head during chemotherapy, to slow blood flow to the scalp in an effort to prevent hair loss. It worked – I only lost about half my hair, which has now grown back. But enduring a frozen cap on my head was the worst part of the treatment."

Now that Aisha has finished her cancer treatment, she and Rita are keen to encourage fundraising for cancer research. Rita supports Cancer Research UK's Relay for Life, taking part in media interviews to raise awareness. Relay For Life is a unique event in which teams of friends, colleagues, or family members get together to relay around a track, taking turns to walk the course for the duration of the event (between 12 and 24 hours). 46 Relay For Life events took place across the UK in 2006, with over 8,000 people raising Ł800,000 for Cancer Research UK’s work to help beat cancer.

^{photo courtesy of Simon
Harries}
Freelance TV director Simon Harries, a mutual friend of both Rita and your webmaster, took this photo of Rita when he lunched with her in London on 26 Sep 2006.

On Friday, 01 Dec 2006, Rita joined other celebrities for the 11th Spirit of Christmas Carol concert at the Chester (Cheshire) Cathedral in support of the NeuroMuscular Centre in Cheshire, a charity helping people with muscular dystrophy. From left to right: Jonathan Pryce, Bill Paterson, Matthew Kelly, Rita Tushingham, James Cosmo, Honeysuckle Weeks, Kate Fahy, Peter Egan, Richard Shelton. The celebrities donated their time to the charity event, which raised more than Ł30,000.

Sight Test

"Rita"

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A myopic young cellist struggles to update her prescription while navigating her way through a new life in London.
London Film School student Joseph Knowles asked Rita to play a small role in his graduation film, that of an eccentric junk-shop owner. (We admire the cheek of Mr. Knowles – after all, if you're casting a "Rita Tushingham" role, you may as well ask Rita Tushingham!) Rita's scenes were filmed on 05 Feb 2007.
Rita says, "I did a day for free for young Mr. Knowles, who is shooting his first short film. It is always interesting working with young directors, and I feel it is important to put something back into the business."
An 18-minute, 16mm anamorphic film shot on location in East London, created by London Film School student Joseph Knowles. In English and Finnish with English subtitles. Color, 2.35:1, in exhibition formats of 35mm, HDCAM, Digibeta (PAL), DVD (PAL). © 2008 London Film School.
Sight Test (2007), with Candice Melton, Gem Carmella, Tim Butler, Joseph Pitcher, Rita Tushingham, Monti Mill, Jessica Martenson, Guy Lodge, Julia Munrow, makeup by Ursula Maslarz, costumes designed by Sophie Howard, production designed by Vali Mahlouji, produced by James Youngs, cello played by Carla Sanflix Izquierdo, music by Dimitri Scarlato, sound recorded by Allison Jackson, cinematography by Řystein Lundstrřm, edited by Allison Jackson, written by Joseph Knowles, Guy Lodge, directed by Joseph Knowles.

^{photo courtesy of Joseph Knowles}
Candice Melton as Claire, the myopic protagonist of Sight Test.

^{photo courtesy of Joseph Knowles}
Rita Tushingham as Rita, the eccentric owner of the junk shop in Sight Test.

^{photo courtesy of Joseph Knowles}
From left to right: writer/director Joseph Knowles and actors Joseph Pitcher, Candice Melton, Gem Carmella, and Rita Tushingham on location in East London for the short film Sight Test.

^{Steven Berkoff, Rita Tushingham}
Rita attends the BFI Southbank opening night, 13 Mar 2007.

The Directors Guild Evening for Sir David Lean, BAFTA, London, 17 Apr 2008. From left to right: James Fox OBE, Sarah Miles, Art Malik, Shevaun Wilder, Saeed Jaffrey OBE, Rita Tushingham, Leslie Phillips CBE.

Richard & Judy

"herself"

View the Internet Movie Database entry for this item
Richard and Judy interview Dawn French, one of Britain’s funniest and most loved women, who will be appearing tonight on Comic Relief to raise millions for charity. Rita Tushingham joins Richard and Judy to discuss why we love the Sixties – a decade where the return of imagination, romanticism, and pleasure, after years of war and hardship, changed the world forever. With Mothers Day upon us, we ask Birmingham chef Blodwin Hinton how to cook up lobster thermidor for their mums.
Richard & Judy (16 Mar 2007) episode 2007.03.16, with Rita Tushingham, Richard Madeley, Judy Finnigan, Dawn French, Blodwin Hinton.

Broken Lines

"Rae"

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A bittersweet romantic drama about a young man who, after the sudden death of his father, is forced to come to terms with his past and his own fallibility. Plunging into a love affair with a waitress who is herself trapped in an unhappy guilt-ridden relationship, he is forced to examine his own capacity for guilt and betrayal, his complex relationships with his mother and father, and his forthcoming marriage.
Broken Lines (2007), on DVD, with Paul Bettany, Olivia Williams, Dan Fredenburgh, Doraly Rosa, Harriet Walter, Rita Tushingham, Nathan Constance, music by Laura Rossi, cinematography by Jean-Louis Bompoint, directed by Sallie Aprahamian.
- DVD Region 2, PAL format (Europe) - Amazon UK, more online sellers

Angry, Sexy and Working Class

"herself"

BBC Radio 2 programme. Christopher Eccleston (Dr. Who) pays tribute to the working class heroes and anti-heroes who defined the golden age of British films in the late Fifties and early Sixties. They appeared in classics such as Room At The Top, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, A Taste Of Honey, This Sporting Life, and Billy Liar. Featuring interviews with Rita Tushingham, Shirley Anne Field, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Dora Bryan, Albert Finney, David Storey, Wendy Craig, Ken Loach, and legendary cinematographer Walter Lassally, among others.
Angry, Sexy and Working Class (22 Jun 2007), with Rita Tushingham, Shirley Anne Field, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Dora Bryan, Albert Finney, David Storey, Wendy Craig, Ken Loach, Walter Lassally, presented by Christopher Eccleston.

British Film Forever

Hardship Humor and Heroes: The Story of Social Realism

"herself"

View the Internet Movie Database entry for this item
Examines the history of British film. There was a revolution in British film at the end of the 1950s as the lives of the working class were projected on the big screen. The evolution of British Social Realism is traced from Billy Liar to Billy Elliot via Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Kes, and Trainspotting. Featuring interviews with Ewan McGregor, Jamie Bell, Rita Tushingham, Malcom McDowell, Phil Daniels, Danny Boyle, and Johnny Vegas, as well as directors Ken Loach and Mike Leigh.
British Film Forever (11 Aug 2007) episode 1.3, Hardship Humor and Heroes: The Story of Social Realism, with Rita Tushingham, Don Boyd, Ewan McGregor, Jamie Bell, Malcom McDowell, Phil Daniels, Danny Boyle, Johnny Vegas, Ken Loach, Mike Leigh, written by Matthew Sweet.

The Calling

"Sister Gertrude"

View the Internet Movie Database entry for this item
View the British Films Catalogue page for this item
View the film's official website
Set in present day Kent, the story of Joanna, a university student, who leaves her course to become a nun.
A pilot project between production company Maeve (Medb) Films, based in Ramsgate, and Kent County Council’s Kent Film Office.
The Calling (2008), on DVD, with Brenda Blethyn, Emily Beecham, Susannah York, Rita Tushingham, Amanda Donohoe, Chloe Sirene, music by Clint Mansell, cinematography by Ole Bratt Birkeland, written by Jan Dunn, directed by Jan Dunn.
- DVD Region 2, PAL format (Europe) - Amazon UK, more online sellers

Come Here Today

"Alex's mother"

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Alex takes on a poignant journey that examines his relationships with lover, brother and mother on his way to an emotional reconciliation with his father. Alex's take on life is surprisingly crystal clear for a man who has lived life to the full.
A twelve-minute film short in black and white.
Come Here Today (2008), with Rhys Ifans, Rita Tushingham, John McArdle, Felicity Gilbert, Robert Wedig, music by Tim Philipps, cinematography by David Luther, Mike Scott, written by Simon Aboud, directed by Simon Aboud.

Telstar

"Essex Medium"

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A music-infused drama about Joe Meek, the flamboyantly gay, tone deaf, songwriter-producer behind the 60s hits "Have I the Right", "Just Like Eddie", "Johnny Remember Me", and "Telstar".
Rita says, "My role is a tiny cameo, and I mean tiny! I did it because it was Nick Moran's first film and we have worked together and kept in touch over the years so it was a fun thing to do."
Telstar (2008), on DVD, with Kevin Spacey, Nick Moran, James Corden, Pam Ferris, JJ Feild, Ralf Little, Tom Burke, Chris Wilson, Shaun Evans, Jon Lee, Nigel Harman, Rita Tushingham, Joseph Millson, Con O'Neill, Tom Harper, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Jim Field Smith, Carl Barât, Justin Hawkins, Jess Conrad, music by Ilan Eshkeri, cinematography by Peter Wignall, written by James Hicks, Nick Moran, directed by Nick Moran.
- DVD Region 2, PAL format (Europe) - Amazon UK, more online sellers

Happy Birthday BAFTA

"herself"

View the Internet Movie Database entry for this item
On 28 Oct 2007, the New London Theatre hosted a galaxy of stars from film and television to toast BAFTA on the Academy's 60th birthday. Joanna Lumley and Michael Parkinson presented a gala event with Halle Berry, Robert Carlyle, Lord Richard Attenborough, Stanley Baxter, Sharon Osbourne, and Miss Piggy. Plus, the Kumars meet Sir Ben Kingsley; past, present and future stars of Billy Elliot in the West End performed a specially choreographed routine; Armstrong and Miller recreated a classic Morecambe & Wise sketch; and Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion sang live.
The show is in support of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and UNICEF, the world's leading organisation working for children and their rights.
Happy Birthday BAFTA (07 Nov 2007), with Armstrong and Miller, Richard Attenborough, Stanley Baxter, Halle Berry, Andrea Bocelli, Melvyn Bragg, Robert Carlyle, Celine Dion, Ben Kingsley, The Kumars, Joanna Lumley, Sharon Osbourne, Michael Parkinson, Miss Piggy, Rita Tushingham, Victoria Wood.

David Lean In Close-Up

"herself"

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Jonathan Ross explores the work of one of the great names in British and international cinema, double Oscar-winning director and master of the epic, David Lean. Steven Spielberg is among the cast list of admirers and colleagues who join Jonathan to analyse the career of the man behind Doctor Zhivago, Lawrence Of Arabia, The Bridge On The River Kwai, Great Expectations, and Brief Encounter.
David Lean In Close-Up (02 Apr 2009), with Jonathan Ross, Richard Attenborough, Anne V. Coates, John Howard Davies, Eddie Fowlie, James Fox, Christopher Hampton, Robert A. Harris, Ronald Harwood, Nigel Havers, Geoffrey Horne, Hugh Hudson, Sarah Miles, Peter Newbrook, Alan Parker, Stephen M. Silverman, Steven Spielberg, Michael Stevenson, Rita Tushingham, Joe Wright, directed by Andy Devonshire.

Summer 2009

Rita received an Honorary Fellowship from the Liverpool John Moores University, at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral on Tuesday morning, 21 July 2009, for her outstanding and sustained contributions to the performing arts.
View a webpage from Liverpool John Moores University regarding Rita's honorary fellowship.
Rita said, "The cap and gown were made for me by the University, they do that for all their Fellows, it is beautifully made. I chose the colour Violet for the trim, it was a colour my mother loved and violets were the flower that we often gave to each other."
View streaming video of Rita's segment of the graduation ceremony (requires Windows Media Player).

^{Rita Tushingham}
Rita will star in a documentary, Fifteen Minutes That Shook The World, about Liverpool Football Club's 2005 win at the Champions League final in Istanbul. Rita has been a strong supporter of Liverpool Football for decades. From the Liverpool Echo newspaper, 24 Jul 2009.

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