Here we go with a description of the Coronation Street 35th
Anniversary Video
The video starts with an introduction to some of the characters
in the video. Raquel is introduced by Alec to one of his "pet-star"
agents, Rita trying to tell Mavis that the duck-eggs might be
moving next-door to her, Curly presenting Raquel with her very
own star called "Raquel Watts," Rita saying no to Bet
about lending her the money to buy the Rovers, and Curly and Raquel
finally getting married at the Registry office. These are all
enjoyable classic moments from the Street.
The programme starts with the familiar theme tune and view over
the Weatherfield houses, but immediately changes to showing scenes
of the cruise liner. Rita and Mavis are seen, recounting how lucky
they are to be on board, even if they still haven't set off. They
spot a taxi drawing up to the quayside, it's Raquel and Curly
to be greeted by Alec Gilroy. Mavis comments that they are letting
all and sundry aboard - Rita suggests that they could disembark
and go to Blackpool instead!
Alec shows Curly and Raquel to their room. Raquel is impressed
with the room until she spots someone's clothes in the wardrobe.
It is Alec's boss's cabin - Mrs Blythe who is on leave anyway.
They are getting a bargain - sounds like an Alec Gilroy scam to
me! Curly quizzes Raquel as to what is wrong, since she has been
very quiet. "Don't expect too much from me," begs Raquel.
She seems distressed about the whole affair. Curly tells of the
present that he has put under her pillow....
The sailors are about to depart. Whilst talking to Mavis and Rita,
Alec spots his boss back on board, and runs towards her cabin
to get the honeymooners out. The three of them dash around, confused,
as Mrs Blythe returns. Curly gets angry at Alec for the scam he
has pulled, and harsh words are exchanged. At that moment, Alec's
boss comes in and says that Alec was SUPPOSED to think she was
on leave, and that she knows he is up to something - "whatever
it is you are up to, I WILL DISCOVER, as I always do, as the late
Mr Blythe would have also told you." Alec then explains that
the two honeymooners will have to work on the ship until she gets
off it at Gibraltar. They will have to sleep apart too!
We see a singer sitting at the piano in the mermaid bar - she
is called "Melody Lane" She is not particularly good
at singing! Rita is sitting on her own in the bar and is approached
romantically by a French gentleman known as Count Henri de Vence.
Rita explains her life situation - about Ted's death. Rita also
tells him of "Miss Wilton" who is the rich and famous
Carpet heiress. Rita explains that she pretends to be ordinary,
calling herself Mrs Wilton, and she pretends to be married and
working in a small newsagents in the North of England. She even
calls her pretend husband "Derek." Mavis arrives and
is introduced to the count, who clearly has intentions d'amour!
Alec introduces Carol, a barmaid in the mermaid bar, to Raquel
who appears dressed in a mermaid outfit! She can hardly walk in
it! Carol gives her some advice about the men "Dont let any
of the duds monopolize you.... There's one now, right behind you,
trying to catch your eyes, you can do a lot better than him."
Raquel giggles and replies "That's my husband!"
Now we see the padre in the chapel. His sermons are not well attended
but Alec is there asking him a favour. He wants to know if Curly
can sleep in the padre's room. He agrees. Alec explains that the
couple are just married but that there is something strange about
it - but "as sex comes in, sense goes out."
Curly argues with some children about the table tennis score -
he is the referee of the match. This seems to be his new job!
Mavis takes to the dance floor and dances with the count - somewhat
impressively! Rita and Raquel look on, and are amazed especially
when the dance has a "bolero" type end!! Rita is told
of Alec's scam and she is not surprised "that man is so twisted
that he could hide behind a spiral staircase." The man in
question is called to his boss's room to be told that someone
has been in her cabin and has left something behind. She shows
him a sexy little outfit that was left under her pillow. She believes
it was him who put it there, and he plays along with it. It seems
that she likes the idea of having him as an admirer! She doesn't
get off the ship at Gibraltar! Curly and Raquel will have to carry
on working....
The next day, Mavis and the Count are on deck and talking intimately.
She explains that she is a happily married woman - the count is
skeptical! He also says that "a man could drown in your eyes,
Mavis." Later on he says that Mavis is the woman of his dreams.
Melody Lane, the singer, is seen entertaining the children with
a dreadful ventriloquist act! Rita asks Alec if she was his personal
discovery :
"She's very versatile."
"Yes, she does a lot..... BADLY." retorts Rita
Mavis is feeling guilty about the Count. She is breaking his heart,
she explains to Rita. She says that she feels for him in his pain
- the pain of unrequited love!
"He says that I have a certain Je ne said quoi... that means
I don't know what. And then he calls me his petite chou.... that
means his little cabbage."
"Well granted some kind of vegetable would spring to mind."
says Rita
Curly tells Raquel that he is bothered by the fact that Raquel
doesn't seem bothered that they are not sleeping together. She
says that maybe that is how it was meant to be - life's way of
telling them that they shouldn't have got married after all. Curly
is astonished by this.
The padre and Curly are talking about his doubts about Raquel.
The padre suggests a prayer! He recounts the story of his fortunes
with Raquel and his confusion over the current situation. The
padre asks if she is pregnant... this makes Curly wonder, worriedly!
"Blimey!" They go on and talk about the padre's problems
- he believes that he is useless. Then Curly says that perhaps
they SHOULD pray after all. He encourages the padre to join in....
"So, how do we do it then, this praying?"
Rita sees Melody coming out of Alec's room, giving him a kiss.
The next day the Count and Mavis are in the together. He says
that he will take Mavis away from this world of back streets and
this Derek. He will take her to his Chateau in France so that
they can be together.
Rita comes into Alec's office and has words with him about Curly
and Raquel and about his affairs with Melody. She says that she
is not surprised about what he is doing - she has past experience.
The count now believes that Mavis has gone missing and is avoiding
him. He tells Rita that he thinks that she has "Cast Iron
Mammy Knickers." Then Melody comes over to Rita and tells
her that there is nothing going on between Alec and her....."he's
my brother." Rita didn't know, and Melody explains that she
also didn't know she had a brother at one time due to Alec and
their father not getting on. She also tells Rita that she is a
medium - a natural psychic! She can't exploit this - it would
be "prostituting the gift."
Mavis consults the Padre about her problems - or "her friend's
problems" in her words!
Alec has arranged for Curly and Raquel to have his room for the
night, whilst he bunks in with the padre. He persuades Carol to
manage on her own and he takes Raquel off. They are alone at last.
Curly bluntly asks if Raquel is pregnant. "What do you think
I am? I wouldn't do that to you."
Curly continues the onslaught, "What would you do to me?
I'm trying to find out where I stand, why we got married, and
what is it you want FOR GOD'S SAKE?"
"I'm sorry Curly, I shouldn't have done it, I'm very stupid."
She explains how Des just wanted a bit of fun and that she was
so upset by it. She cries and says how sorry she is. Curly doesn't
care what she did before the marriage, but just cares about what
happens from now on. They begin to talk more calmly and rationally
and they seem more happy together. Curly explains his intentions
towards her, and she knows that she doesn't deserve Curly. They
kiss. Raquel is REALLY happy! "I'm just wonderful, it's just
dawning on me, we're on a liner in the Mediterranean, and it's
wonderful."
Rita meets Alec on the deck and they talk calmly. Rita is surprised
that he has given his cabin up for the pair. She tells him that
she had a little chat with his sister. "I'm beginning to
think I misjudged you" suggests Rita. He tells her about
bad things he did as her agent, such as pocketing money. The bombshell
is when he tells her that a big London agent wanted to buy Rita's
contract from him. He refused, selfishly. She could have been
big. "We'll never know now, it's all might have been,"
says Rita, "it doesn't matter now."
The final day approaches. Mavis talks of coming back to reality
- and Derek. Alec asks Rita a favour, could she sing tonight for
the last night dance as the vocalist is unavailable. She agrees.
Curly asks the Padre to marry them on the ship, and they go through
the ceremony again.
Miss Rita Littlewood comes on stage and sings, beautifully. In
the meantime, the Count says goodbye to Mavis - "you are
a woman unique in my whole career.... I want you Mavis."
Raquel and Curly are now on deck, and Curly points out the star
called Mrs Raquel Watts! "I wish I'd brought me telescope."
They kiss in something representing a more traditional relationship!
Rita says goodbye to Alec. Alec says goodbye to "Sid Clegg."
"That was Count Henri de Vence" says Rita. It wasn't,
he is paid by Sun Liners as the Suitor! Alec and Rita agree to
say nothing to Mavis!
Raquel and Curly come back onto dry land. "Mrs Watts... Let's
go home....."
They walk off into the distance.......
The video finishes with a "Behind the scenes" look at
the making of the programme.
And that's your lot for this week.... what a week it was for
Street fans!
