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The Road to Coronation Street

The epic story of one man's struggle to make a programme that no-one wanted. How creator Tony Warren overcame formidable obstacles to bring Coronation Street to our screens.

6.53pm, December 9th 1960, Granada Studios, Manchester. With minutes to go until the live transmission of episode one, creator Tony Warren is being sick in the toilets, actress Pat Phoenix is missing and so is the cat from the opening shot.

This is the epic story of one man's struggle to make a programme that no-one wanted. Granada's formidable bosses Sidney Bernstein and his brother Cecil are not enthusiastic, but together with producer Harry Elton and director Derek Bennett, Tony takes up the battle. He wants cobbles, a pub, seven houses and a shop, but above all he wants Northern actors. Led by casting director Margaret Morris and her young assistant Josie Scott, the hunt begins for the legendary cast - Doris Speed, Pat Phoenix, Violet Carson and William Roache. With a last-minute change of title, Coronation Street is born.

1 hour, 15 minutes

Last on

Mon 6 Aug 2012 03:15
大象传媒 Four

Credits

Tony Warren David Dawson
Harry Elton Christian McKay
Josie Scott Sophia Di Martino
Margaret Morris Jane Horrocks
Derek Bennett Shaun Dooley
Pat Phoenix Jessie Wallace
Violet Carson Lynda Baron
Sidney Bernstein Steven Berkoff
Cecil Bernstein Henry Goodman
Doris Speed Celia Imrie
Brenda Michelle Holmes
Edna Walker Tara Moran
Harry Kershaw John Thomson
Agnes Enid Dunn
Commissionaire David Williams
Mrs Simpson Phoebe Nicholls
Walter Malcolm Raeburn
Producer Rebecca Hodgson
Writer Daran Little

Broadcasts