Curse of Steptoe, The

Synopsis: Television drama about the relationship, on and off screen, of Harry H. Corbett and Wilfrid Brambell who played Harold and Albert Steptoe in the television sitcom STEPTOE AND SO written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Before taking the role of Harold Steptoe, Corbett, a method actor, had worked on the classical stage including taking leading roles in Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop. He strongly believed that STEPTOE AND SON typecast him and he was forever denied the classical roles he craved and thought his due. At the start of the drama Corbett (Isaacs) is seen on stage as Richard II reciting "I wasted time and now doth time waste me’. ‘You are a Richard for the masses’ Littlewood (Clare Higgins) tells him and comments that he will soon be ready for ‘the Danish ditherer’. Throughout the drama there are references to Corbett’s wish to play more Shakespeare; Brambell (Davis) sneers at this ambition saying. "What did you give them for your audition? Hamlet? Shylock? Henry V?".
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 19 Mar 2008 at 21:00 (Channel: BBC4)
Duration: 65 mins

Director

Michael Samuels

Producer

Brian Bickerton

Writer

Brian Fillis

Cast

General: The family of Harry H. Corbett released a statement saying the portrayal of Corbett was inaccurate and defamatory.
Figures: The drama brought BBC Four its highest audience figures, estimated as 1.41 million viewers, a 7% share of multichannel audiences between 9pm and 10.05pm, based on overnight returns.

British Universities Film & Video Council