A Taste of Honey (1961)

Director:

Tony Richardson

Writers:

Shelagh Delaney (play)
Shelagh Delaney (writer) ...

Release Date:

30 April 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The prize winning comedy-drama of a young girl's passionate love for life!...

Plot:

The moving story of a plain young girl who becomes pregnant by a black sailor, befriends a homosexual, and gradually becomes a woman.

Plot Keywords:

Homosexual | Unwed Pregnancy | Interracial Relationship | Expectant Mother | Pregnant Teenager

Awards:

Won 4 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Dora Bryan	...	Helen
Robert Stephens	...	Peter Smith
Rita Tushingham	...	Jo [Josephine]
Murray Melvin	...	Geoffrey Ingham
Paul Danquah	...	Jimmy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Bilton	...	Landlord
Eunice Black	...	Schoolteacher
David Boliver	...	Bert
Margo Cunningham	...	Landlady
A. Goodman	...	Rag and Bone Man
John Harrison	...	Cave Attendant
Veronica Howard	...	Gladys
Moira Kaye	...	Doris
Graham Roberts
Valerie Scarden	...	Woman in Shoe Shop
Rosalie Scase	...	Nurse
Herbert Smith	...	Shoe Store Proprietor
Jack Yarker	...	Ship's Mate

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 (video rating) | UK:X (original rating) | Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

Barton Swing Bridge, Salford, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company:

Woodfall Film Productions

Trivia:

When the Manchester Shipper and Manchester Pioneer were chosen to star in Shelagh Delaney's novel "A Taste of Honey", it was not known that part of the plot involved a drunken seaman taking his girlfriend on board, and also involving a drunken first officer! When the premiere took place, the company had to take space in the programme to point out that Manchester Liners neither approved nor allowed such conduct.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The scene where Jo says goodbye to Jimmy for the last time is shot at Barton Swing Bridge, on the Manchester Ship Canal. Jimmy walks through the closing barriers to the end of the bridge and is next seen on the ship. But there isn't a way for Jimmy to get off the bridge and onto the ship as the far end of the bridge hangs over the canal. Jimmy would have had to fall 15 feet while leaping around 20-30 feet to make it to the deck of the ship. Quite an achievement in those boots.

Quotes:

Jo: I feel like throwing myself in the river.
Geoffrey: I shouldn't do that, it's full of rubbish.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A Decade Under the Influence (2003)

Soundtrack:

The Big Ship Sails

Landmark British Classic !

I first watched this film when I was about 14 years old sat at home with my mam and dad and I was absolutely riveted. Ever since then I have kept an eye out for it in the TV listings but never spotted it until now !...they have finally released it on DVD and it was worth the wait. The black and white photography is stunning, painting a grey stark picture of life in the poverty stricken back streets of Salford and Eccles in the late 50's and early 60's. I grew up around most of the locations, many of the streets are now bulldozed and many of the historical landmarks are now set against different backdrops...maybe not as grim, but in my opinion not as interesting or compelling. The theme of the film is warm and loving giving a realistic picture of people in the area at that time..friendly, caring, enjoying life when they can as life could be hard, poor housing, low wages the dirt and grime of living and working in the post war northern inner city.

Barton Swing Bridge and the Manchester Liners Shipping Company, Old Trafford Football Ground - complete with floodlight pylons, the atmosphere of a back street boozer and Blackpools brightly lit amusements are seen in all their grim Majesty.

The acting is tremendous,Dora Bryan superbly cast as the selfish mother...she should have gone on to stronger roles after this performance. Rita Tushingham the gawky teenager full of youthful wonder of her harsh world and Murray Melvin as the young adolescent battling with his sexuality and feelings for the enchanting Tushingham.

It really is a must see for anyone interested in this genre or who lives or has worked around Manchester. It shows the hope and warmth of people who have nothing, who only maybe aspire to a simple life...but who have had a Taste Of Honey.......