Steptoe and Son

This is a graphical insert for the Steptoe and Son Appreciation Society Website

For those who just ever saw him as Harold Steptoe, the rag-and-bone guy caught in a suppressing relationship with his "dirty old man" of a papa, Albert (Wilfrid Brambell), it may appear not likely that Harry H Corbett was a "method" acting star often referred to as "a British Marlon Brando".

As part of the famous Joan Littlewood's performers, and in different other plays and British movies of the 1950s, Corbett-- who passed away in 1982 at 57-- appeared with Richard Harris and Stanley Baker as one of the brand-new type of working-class leading guys.

"He was renowneded and appreciated within the market", states his child Susannah Corbett, a starlet herself in addition to a youngsters's author-- and now her papa's biographer. Surprisingly, Harry H Corbett: The Front Legs of the Cow (the title describes Corbett's very first starring function) is the very first bio of a star whose tragi-comic" 'Arold"-- the initial 40-year-old virgin, and referred to "the working-class Hamlet"-- drew a regular audience of 28 million watchers.

"I have actually been approached previously to write a book and they also approached Mum however we never ever felt the requirement", states Corbett, whose mommy, Maureen, passed away in 1999. "She never ever discussed him openly after his death ... since she constantly stated that the work needs to promote itself".

What altered her mindset were 2 programmes: a Channel 4 documentary, When Steptoe Met Son, which asserted that Corbett, and a booze-sodden Wilfrid Brambell, disliked each other; and a BBC4 biopic, The Curse of Steptoe, that alledged that Corbett was angst-ridden by his typecasting as Harold. Worse, states Susannah Corbett, was the declaration that her mom was responsible for the split of Corbett's very first marital relationship.

"You can state exactly what you such as about his profession", she states, "however I complained about the portrayals of his individual life. I didn't especially feel it was a well balanced view of their life and nor did a great deal of individuals I talked with when I began interviewing them for my book".

Corbett complained, lastly getting an apology from the BBC Trust, and the guarantee not to re-broadcast it without the needed cuts, and to withdraw the DVD from sale. In the meantime, Curse of Steptoe won a Royal Tv Society Award, and Jason Isaacs was chosen for a Bafta for his portrayal of Corbett.

"They altered the guidelines on making biopics after we grumbled. It took 3 years however they apologised. I do not desire that to be the only word on him.".

Her book follows Harry H Corbett (the 'H' was included to distinguish him from the youngsters's performer and Sooty manipulator of the exact same name) from the slums of Manchester, through wartime action with the Royal Militaries-- consisting of hand-to-hand battle in the jungle and seeing the destruction at Hiroshima-- to ending up being a leading light in Littlewood's Theatre Workshop. And it was Littlewood's obituary of her dad that Corbett thinks developed the misconception that he felt caught by the duty of Harold Steptoe., chuckles Corbett, who bears in mind the spirited household guy and great going to bed storyteller who passed away when she was simply 14.

We wish Sussanah well with her book ant that it is financiallly reqarding for her. We hope the equity release royalities make the work worthwhile.

'Harry H Corbett: the Front Legs of the Cow' is released by The History Press.