Review: Rita and Me

Rita and Me is a documentary produced to celebrate 50 years since Barbara Mullaney Knox first appeared on Coronation Street as Rita Littlewood Fairclough Sullivan Tanner. We've already told you that it's scheduled to air on ITV at New Year's but in Canada, fans were lucky to see it on Boxing Day night and it was aired again after the Sunday morning Corrie omnibus this weekend, which is when I caught it.

It's a wonderful celebration of all things Barbara and Rita with some of Barbara's background from her origins in Oldham. There are views of the Tower ballroom in Blackpool where her parents danced and views of the Oldham theatre where Barbara got her start.

There are lots of clips from her years on Coronation Street, plus interviews with cast members old and current including both Sue Nicholls and her husband, Mark Eden who played Alan Bradley. He had lots to say regarding their filming of some memorable scenes. Other really interesting details included recollections on how Barbara/Rita fared against the legendary Pat Phoenix/Elsie Tanner.

There is a surprise guest for Barbara near the beginning, her good friend Paul O'Grady, and they show a group of Canadian tourists that were there in September while the filming was happening. There was a segment on Rita's fellas and her stormy relationships with many of them. We see Rita in the aftermath of Len's death and relive her relationship with Alan Bradley as well.

One of the best segments, though, was a reunion between Barbara and Thelma Barlow who played long time Kabin-ette, Mavis Riley Wilton. The two women sit together and watch footage of themselves from the beginning of their on screen partnership to the last scene when Mavis left Weatherfield. Wonderful stuff!

All in all, the documentary was one of the best ones they have done on long-term characters. Canadians can watch the documentary online at CBC.ca. Rita and Me airs on ITV on New Year's Eve at 8 p.m.

 

 

Congratulations, Rita and Dennis

Julie's emotions got the better of her. I know just how she felt! By the end of tonight's double episode, with the marraige of Rita and Dennis Tanner, I was nearly in tears, meself! But enough of that. Here's a pictorial accounting of tonight's wedding and adventures.
 
The bride is having doubts in the wake of the revelations about Dennis' lies.

Norris sticks his nose in and demands to know what's going on, confessing to interfering and admitting he was the one that told Rita about Norma.

Rita makes Emily and Audrey go off to the registry office, expecting Tina back any minute to take her there. But Tina's on a mission to take down a drug dealer and takes off to bring down Goliath instead of taking Rita to the registry office. Look who shows up instead! Uh oh!

Meanwhile, everyone's waiting at the registry office.

Rick has arrived, Tina's threatened to drop the drugs in the water but is shocked when Rick produces Rita. Now what?

Back at the wedding venue, Dennis is sure that Norris is to blame. Norris smug but asks why he would be smug? (he's smugger than a smug thing, is Norris)
There's a struggle and Tina backs off though Rita's putting on a very brave face.

HA! Rick is caught red handed with the drugs!!

Tina has to race to the wedding venue where things are getting ugly between Dennis and Norris.

The police escort arrives with the bride.

Norris is told to shut up and escort her down the aisle.
They played "On the Street Where You Live"!!! I got all teary eyed, I really did!

And here's a few photos from the ceremony.

They are pronounced Husband and Wife!

The bride and groom arrive back on Coronation Street to join the Jubilee party for their reception. Where else could they possibly have it!

And there's a new Mrs. Tanner on the Street!

Read what I loved and hated about the wedding/Jubilee episodes and see more pics of all the costumes for the Street party here.