The 1960’s saw a rush of new British cinema, with previously
taboo subjects tackled often against a realistic background of working-class
life. Rita Tushingham was very much a face of this era, bursting onto the scene
aged just 19 with her starring performance in the film adaptation of Shelagh
Delaney’s play A Taste of Honey. This film, which brought her a Cannes
Film Festival award as Best Actress is believed to be the first British film to
feature an interracial screen kiss. Her debut was followed in the 1960’s by
parts in such films as The Girl With Green Eyes, Leather Boys, The Knack…and
How To Get It, and Dr Zhivago. She continues to work in film and TV,
having undertaken nearly 50 big-screen roles over a career spanning 60 years.
Rita Tushingham was born in Garston on 14th March
1942. Her father, John, was a grocer with two stores, one of which stood on Garston
Old Road not far from the family home at 33 Ryegate Road L19. They later moved
to 2 Ashton Drive L25 in Hunts Cross. Rita attended La Sagesse School in
Grassendale.
The picture (right) shows her in her first screen role in A Taste of Honey in 1961, and in 2020 in the BBC drama The Pale Horse.
33 Ryegate Road L19
Rita Tushingham's Garston home at the time of her birth
2 Ashton Drive L25
The Tushingham's home in Hunts Cross - clear evidence of moving up in the world
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
There is no particular single source but as usual the Wikipedia and IMDB entries are useful. An excellent article based on an interview with Rita Tushingham appeared in The Guardianin 2020. There is also a short interview with her on YouTube.
