Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
One of Britain's great character actresses, known for winning BAFTA Best Television Actress for 'A Cream Cracker Under the Settee'.
On the island
Eight records
when I was a little girl I had four cousins smashing tap dancers. We didn't call it tap dancing then, it was called Wallopin. And from being four years old ... they would kneel in front of me and take my little foot and say one, two, three, and um we had a record of that.
We had an annual school concert, and it was a good concert, and we always finished with the entire school marching on the stage, snakes and everything, always to blaze away.
Johann Strauss Orchestra of Vienna
I've waltzed with some beautiful waltzers, but oh, our Fred. He was the best. ... the first time I had the dress, I went a waltz. When I With Freddie, they were playing this.
I suppose I have nearly every record of his, but I love that one. ... It's a good dusting well, is that? You're right, it's a Cumberland gap. But it's a good Dustin Weller if you've worked to do in the house, you know.
if it was a morning when I wasn't easily moved, I'd only have to play the first eight bars of this and I'd be off.
When the Saints Go Marching In
God rest Sid Phillips, I think he was the greatest, greatest clarionette player I've ever heard. ... when I did Hallelujah, the the comedy show at Leeds television, and that was the signature tune.
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467: II. Andante
Richard Clayderman and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
if I'm walking about feeling sorry for myself, it'd be a good excuse for me to have a little weep, just on my own. ... I really put that on for Scotty and Jan because they're well into your good music, you know.
Onward, Christian SoldiersFavourite
this is my favourite hymn anyway ... I thought it was a good go-out. I could p march about the island a bit with this, Sue. I love it. All my life I've loved this hymn.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:46How would you feel on a desert island?
I wouldn't bemoan my fate ... but I would really hate it, Sue, because I don't I'm not very fond of my own company, and I'm usually surrounded anyway. So, um, if there were flowers on this famous island, or nice pebbles, I would find myself doing a bit of art one way or another. But I would talk to myself.
Presenter asks
6:54Did your parents teach you everything you knew about acting?
Yes, my father was very critical, but always constructively and never destructively. And and anything if I do know anything about comedy timing or um or pathos, anything of that I owe to my dad.
Presenter asks
16:58How did you get your first film contract?
the first film was the Will Hay film. ... black sheep of Whitehall ... they tested, as they used to in those days, so many. And then he said, Well, I'll see the test. And I am told ... that he said, What a face, send her a telegram. ... I didn't understand the test ... And I thought I wasn't doing it right, and turned round and said to them Well, that's it, if I haven't done it right now. I didn't ask to come down, you asked me, and I'm doing all this. ... and that got me the contract.
The keepsakes
The book
Thora Hird
there's no conceit to this, Sue, but I wrote a book called Seen and Heard, S-C-E-N-E and H-I-R-D, and there's so much of my childhood in it that I might forget a bit of it on the island, so I'll take that to have a read and remind myself.
The luxury
I think I wouldn't mind very much taking a bit of nice cleansing milk. 'Cause I'm not going to bother all the washing lark. I might never swim. But a little bit of cleansing milk would be nice. Just to make you feel beautiful. Not expensive. Just and some tissues, you know. The little outfit.
Presenter asks
22:52How would you describe Doris [in A Cream Cracker Under the Settee]?
She was a a strange combination because she aroused great sadness, but also was a lot of humour in it. ... Alan can write a line and I promise you said one way you would break your heart. Said another way, it is very, very funny.
Presenter asks
30:03Is there an element of your having had a happy life rubbing off on the people who regard you as their friend?
I've had fifty years bliss with Scotty. I've a daughter that I am proud of. It's very loving. I've two healthy grandchildren. I've a son-in-law who is lovely. I've so much love around me that it is easy for me to give a bit out.
“I can honestly say it was the first and only job I've ever got through influence.”
“I think youthful conceit is beautiful because you're not hurting anybody, are you?”
“I never realized there were so many people in the world with no one. ... There's so many people alone.”
“Couldn't do without my pal upstairs. I couldn't”