Hard Labour (BBC Play for Today)

Date: 1973
Director: Mike Leigh
Production Company: BBC

Stars: Clifford Kershaw, Liz Smith, Paula Tilbrook, Vanessa Harris, Polly Hemingway, Ben Kingsley, Alan Erasmus, Bernard Hill
Location(s): Lancashire

Region(s):

Storyline:

Following the life of Mrs Thornley, a housewife and house cleaner. Suffering silently in her day-to-day existence, her only outlet a church confessional.

Additional Information:

Compiled by Neil Webster

An episode from the 3rd series of BBC TV’s ‘Play for Today’ (First broadcast: 12 March 1973)

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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

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Mr Thornley (Clifford Kershaw), security guard at a toy warehouse, finishes his shift in the morning. Unidentified location (a train can be heard nearby)

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Mrs Thornley (Liz Smith) leaves for her job as a house cleaner. Bower Street, Broughton, Salford, M7

Less densely populated

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She meets her friend (Paula Tilbrook) and they go off to the bus stop together. Unidentified location

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The No. 73 arrives for the pair. Leicester Rd, M7 near the junction with Great Cheetham St. (Warwick St seen extreme right)

Memorial on the tree

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Her employer's, Mrs Stone (Vanessa Harris), home. 121 Cavendish Road, Broughton Park, M7. Demolished sometime after filming, the plot is now occupied by Brocton Court

A deceptively large plot of land

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They alight and go their separate ways. Singleton Rd / Upper Park Rd, Broughton Park, M7

Shrouded in greenery

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Returning home. Unidentified location

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Mrs Thornley's daughter, Anne (Polly Hemingway), meets Naseem (Ben Kingsley) at the market. Salford Market, Market Way, M6 (Holm Court seen behind)

Now part of ALDI's carpark

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Naseem asks Anne out to the cinema. Reverse view down Market Way

The market finally closed in 2012

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We move to a newly constructed out-of-town estate, two men are working on a car. Unidentified location

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Barry (Alan Erasmus) and Mrs Thornley's son, Edward (Bernard Hill). Unidentified location

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Mrs Thornley joins them for tea. Unidentified location

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Mr Thornley and Edward leave the 'Duke of York' pub. Duke Of York, Bower Street, M7

Re-emergence of the cobblestones

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They walk briskly to get out of the rain. Bower Street

Brighter skies