T. Dan Smith: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Utopia

The story

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 T. Dan SmithSelf D Dennis SkinnerSelf M Murray MartinSelf J Jack JohnsonSelf K Ken SkethawaySelf D Dave HillJack Cross A Art DaviesCouncillor Alan Deal C Christopher NortheyJeremy Maudsley-Long S Steve TraffordSteve M Martin MurrayMurray R Ralph NossekHome Secretary H Harry HerringCouncillor Albert

See more cast

C Cilla MasonCouncillor Edith E Elizabeth MansfieldNewscaster A Amber StylesCleaner K Kay WightAlan Deal's Wife N Norma Day G Gwen Doran B Brian Hogg M Mike Mason D Dick McCullough J Joseph Neatrour M Max Roberts B Bob White L Lee Ross P Paul Heslop A Alan Twelvetree N Nigel Stanger R Ray StubbsResident and Paper Seller