T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia (1987)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia.
An experimental mix of thriller and documentary exploring the scandal centred on the one-time Newcastle Council Leader, aka The Mouth of the Tyne, who was sentenced to six years imprisonment in 1974 for corruption. A dynamic and visionary politician, Smith collaborated closely as Amber unpicked the story of a leftwing group of ex-war resisters who took control of the city council in 1960, the socialist and civic ambitions and the betrayals; the claims of MI5 involvement, of ministerial cover-ups and the unseen role of the Privy Council. With Smith appearing as himself and filmmakers Murray Martin and Steve Trafford as two journalists, the film interrogates the interviews and archive footage, weaving them together with a fictional scandal unfolding on the streets around them…
Cast
- T. Dan Smith - Self
- Dennis Skinner - Self
- Murray Martin - Self
- Jack Johnson - Self
- Ken Skethaway - Self
- Dave Hill - Jack Cross
- Art Davies - Councillor Alan Deal
- Christopher Northey - Jeremy Maudsley-Long
- Steve Trafford - Steve
- Martin Murray - Murray
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia about?
- An experimental mix of thriller and documentary exploring the scandal centred on the one-time Newcastle Council Leader, aka The Mouth of the Tyne, who was sentenced to six years imprisonment in 1974 for corruption. A dynamic and visionary politician, Smith collaborated closely as Amber unpicked the story of a leftwing group of ex-war resisters who took control of the city council in 1960, the socialist and civic ambitions and the betrayals; the claims of MI5 involvement, of ministerial cover-ups and the unseen role of the Privy Council. With Smith appearing as himself and filmmakers Murray Martin and Steve Trafford as two journalists, the film interrogates the interviews and archive footage, weaving them together with a fictional scandal unfolding on the streets around them…
- Who stars in T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia?
- T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia stars T. Dan Smith, Dennis Skinner, Murray Martin, Jack Johnson, Ken Skethaway, Dave Hill.
- How long is T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia?
- T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia has a runtime of 1h 25m (85 minutes).
- What genre is T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia?
- T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia is a Documentary, Thriller film.
- Where was T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia produced?
- T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia was produced in United Kingdom.