Wilfrid Brambell

[didi-5]

I don't remember it suggesting they had a difficult relationship, just that they didn't go down the pub together after the show. Not sure where the myth that they hated each other comes from - it's always something Galton and Simpson have denied But it's true they don't seem to have had much in common.

It definitely did suggest there was a hint of mutual hatred - which doesn't seem to have any roots in fact. When Harry died Wilfred was interviewed about it and said that they didn't really socialise because they had very different lives but that they did get on. Why make this into something it wasn't? I believe Susannah Corbett has confirmed this and said they got on as much as any people do who work together but are different personality types.

[CaptainWaggett]

It definitely did suggest there was a hint of mutual hatred - which doesn't seem to have any roots in fact. When Harry died Wilfred was interviewed about it and said that they didn't really socialise because they had very different lives but that they did get on. Why make this into something it wasn't? I believe Susannah Corbett has confirmed this and said they got on as much as any people do who work together but are different personality types.

I must watch it again because I don't remember any hint of hatred at all There was a scene where Wilfred turned down a trip to the pub but I don't recall anything worse. What happened in the show to suggest this? All I got from it was that they didn't socialise, as you say. I suspect Brambell was a bit scathing about Corbett's delusions of being a Great Actor but that's not hatred.

[Edward G]

The same thing happened with Bobby Charlton and George Best.
Charlton was a conservative personality and would go home to his wife and children after games or training. Best was a younger man and had a different social agenda. Because Charlton didn't go to the pub with George he was painted by some as a sourpuss end the same kind of nonsense about "not getting on" or "disliking each other" was permeated in the popular mind.
Sometimes you just can't win - on or of the pitch and on or off the screen!

I don't remember it suggesting they had a difficult relationship, just that they didn't go down the pub together after the show. Not sure where the myth that they hated each other comes from - it's always something Galton and Simpson have denied But it's true they don't seem to have had much in common.

[didi-5]

I must watch it again because I don't remember any hint of hatred at all There was a scene where Wilfred turned down a trip to the pub but I don't recall anything worse. What happened in the show to suggest this? All I got from it was that they didn't socialise, as you say. I suspect Brambell was a bit scathing about Corbett's delusions of being a Great Actor but that's not hatred.

Well I didn't keep it as I was so irritated by its inaccuracies so can't check.

However Corbett Family Statement in response to BBC Trust's final ruling publication 30th June 2009 regarding 'The Curse of Steptoe' gives a bit more detail:

"We would firstly like to point out that Harry’s daughter, Susannah, agreed to help the writer, Brian Fillis, after she was told that the BBC wanted to set the record straight following the fabricated documentary shown on Channel 4 in 2002 called ‘When Steptoe Met Son’. She was told that the drama would portray how Steptoe and Son came into being as well as life behind the scenes. At no point was there any mention of the drama being called ‘the curse’. Steptoe writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson told us they “declined being involved with in the 2002 documentary as it was on the same subject of conflict between the actors, which they said did not to their knowledge exist”. They agreed to speak to Brian Fillis during pre-production of ‘The Curse of Steptoe’, and reiterated to him that there was no conflict between the actors, and told him not to make another programme to keep the myth going. Unfortunately, all the detailed factual information Susannah provided to the writer was ignored, with history being rewritten for the sake of a good story. Ray Galton and Alan Simpson have since spoken about the drama with Simon Mayo on BBC Radio 5 Live (15 January 2009). In response to the question “How accurate was it?”, Alan replied “Well, as far as we’re concerned, not at all. I mean, obviously we were with them all the years they were working, and they got on fine. There was nothing, no friction at all. They worked beautifully together.”

It also gives the family's views on the other so-called facts presented.

The one thing I can say in favour of the 'Curse of Steptoe' drama is that it wasn't as bad as 'Hancock and Joan' which was absolutely dreadful.

[GRAEME]

Has Sheila Steafel had anything to say about the accuracy of her portrayal or that of her marriage with Harry?

[CaptainWaggett]

Well I didn't keep it as I was so irritated by its inaccuracies so can't check.

However Corbett Family Statement in response to BBC Trust's final ruling publication 30th June 2009 regarding 'The Curse of Steptoe' gives a bit more detail:

"We would firstly like to point out that Harry’s daughter, Susannah, agreed to help the writer, Brian Fillis, after she was told that the BBC wanted to set the record straight following the fabricated documentary shown on Channel 4 in 2002 called ‘When Steptoe Met Son’. She was told that the drama would portray how Steptoe and Son came into being as well as life behind the scenes. At no point was there any mention of the drama being called ‘the curse’. Steptoe writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson told us they “declined being involved with in the 2002 documentary as it was on the same subject of conflict between the actors, which they said did not to their knowledge exist”. They agreed to speak to Brian Fillis during pre-production of ‘The Curse of Steptoe’, and reiterated to him that there was no conflict between the actors, and told him not to make another programme to keep the myth going. Unfortunately, all the detailed factual information Susannah provided to the writer was ignored, with history being rewritten for the sake of a good story. Ray Galton and Alan Simpson have since spoken about the drama with Simon Mayo on BBC Radio 5 Live (15 January 2009). In response to the question “How accurate was it?”, Alan replied “Well, as far as we’re concerned, not at all. I mean, obviously we were with them all the years they were working, and they got on fine. There was nothing, no friction at all. They worked beautifully together.”

It also gives the family's views on the other so-called facts presented.

The one thing I can say in favour of the 'Curse of Steptoe' drama is that it wasn't as bad as 'Hancock and Joan' which was absolutely dreadful.

I don't remember any conflict at all - it just showed two chaps who made a show and then didn't go to the pub together. No arguments or anything that would have actually made it a bit interesting. The idea of a 'Curse' wasn't about the relationship between the two but Corbett's belief that he was a Serious Actor and Brambell didn't feature that much (which was a shame as Phil Davies was very good). Though I do sometimes wonder if audiences fully understand the difference between 'drama' and 'documentary'...I've read the same sort of thing about the Blyton film ('Didn't they know the Secret Seven started before Noddy?' etc etc). if you want facts, maybe fiction isn't the best place to look

[didi-5]

Has Sheila Steafel had anything to say about the accuracy of her portrayal or that of her marriage with Harry?

Yes. She wrote her autobiography last year ('When Harry Met Sheila') and the gist was that neither of them worked that hard at the marriage, she didn't want a family, and she was the one who had the affair which broke up their marriage, not him. There was no mud-slinging or animosity. I have a lot of respect for how she approached this in her book.

(Sorry this isn't much about Wilfred is it?!).

[Edward G]

Didi-5,
Not about Wilfred but a good post to help set the record straight.

[GRAEME]

Yes. She wrote her autobiography last year ('When Harry Met Sheila') and the gist was that neither of them worked that hard at the marriage, she didn't want a family, and she was the one who had the affair which broke up their marriage, not him. There was no mud-slinging or animosity. I have a lot of respect for how she approached this in her book.

(Sorry this isn't much about Wilfred is it?!).

Cheers

[faginsgirl]

I always remember how energetic he was as Paul`s Grandad in `A hard days night`

[didi-5]

Just for faginsgirl:

[faginsgirl]

Thanks didi

I never did get the `He`s a very clean man joke`, in the film, is that opposing the `dirty old man` joke?

It`s also good to see Sheree Winton, Dale`s mum in that clip too!

xx

[faginsgirl]

[Harbottle]

One of my fav gif's:

[didi-5]

Just realised it is Wilfred's centenary year in 2012 (and of course the 50th anniversary of the first sighting of the Steptoes on TV). Doesn't that make everyone feel rather old?!