Boys from the Blackstuff (1982)
TV series that defined the depression-scarred 1980s Britain
Alan Bleasdale's five-part series relates the further experiences of unemployed Liverpudlian tarmac layers Dixie, Chrissie, Loggo and Yosser, and their revered older friend, retired longshoreman and union leader, George Malone. As they struggle to make ends meet in a depressed economy, and to hold together their financially battered families, they are harrassed by the petty bureaucrats of the DHSS. But the lumbering investigational juggernaut is, both comically and tragically, guided by drivers with only a provisional license.
Boys from the Blackstuff: Season 1 - 5 Episode s
1x1 - Jobs for the Boys
October 10, 1982
The boys sign on at the Department of Employment and then collect George's son, Snowy, on their way to an off-the-books construction job for Malloy. Much to their amusement, the conversion job turns out to be the future new offices of the D.O.E. Unfortunately, D.O.E. officials Moss and Lawton suspect their scam and are determined to catch them in the act. Ineptitude on several sides, however, leads to tragedy.
1x2 - Moonlighter
October 17, 1982
In desperation to feed and clothe his four children, Dixie takes an illicit job as a night security guard at the docks. He soon discovers that one man alone on a ship at night can do nothing but turn a blind eye to a gang of pilferers but, if the missing goods are noticed, what will he tell his boss, whose small security company is struggling to survive? Meanwhile, the petty bureucrats at the D.O.E. launch an undercover operation, and Dixie's wife Freda is too frightened to open the door to the house.
1x3 - Shop Thy Neighbour
October 24, 1982
Pending the outcome of the moonlighting enquiry, Chrissie's dole money has been stopped, and this precipitates a showdown with his wife, Angie. Meanwhile, at the D.O.E., middle management is completely out of control since the Manager, Miss Sutcliffe, has more important things to worry about than running her department. As Chrissie and Angie's row reaches its climax, violence erupts.
1x4 - Yosser's Story
October 31, 1982
Yosser reaches the end of the line as the utility men, rent collectors, and social workers invade his home. Why on earth doesn't he turn his three small children over to his estranged wife, Maureen, rather than let them be taken into care?
1x5 - George's Last Ride
November 7, 1982
As George's health declines, his belief in the values of Old Labour remain unshaken. Chrissie takes him for one last tour of the now-abandoned docklands where he once worked, and they have what may well be the most important and heartfelt conversation of their long friendship.
Boys from the Blackstuff: 2 Season s
Actors in Boys from the Blackstuff
Bernard Hill
Yosser Hughes
Michael Angelis
Chrissie Todd
Tom Georgeson
Dixie Dean
Alan Igbon
Loggo Logmond
Peter Kerrigan
George Malone
Gary Bleasdale
Kevin Dean
Julie Walters
Angie Todd
Jean Boht
Miss Sutcliffe
David Fleeshman
D.O.E Assistant Manager
David Ross
Donald Moss
David Neilson
Lawton
Shay Gorman
Molloy
Chris Darwin
Snowy Malone
Jean Heywood
Mary Malone
Tony Scoggo
Ritchie Malone
James Ellis
Wino
Clive Russell
Policeman
Paul Barber
Scotty
Tony Haygarth
Aich
Ricky Tomlinson
Doctor
Eileen O'Brien
Freda Dean
Sam Kelly
Pub Manager
Noreen Kershaw
Doctor
Struan Rodger
Father Dan Thomas
Karl Lornie
Danny Dean
Stephen Moss
Stephen Dean
Cheryl Leigh
Jackie Mills
Cheryl Leigh
Jackie Mills
Vince Earl
Jimmy Johnson
Gilly Coman
D.O.E Clerk
Bill Moores
Arthur
Martin Wyldeck
Marley
Jimmy Coleman
Docker
Syd Newmann
Laughing Cavalier
Nicola Hollinshead
Janet Dean
Jean Warren
Maureen Hughes
Joey Kaye
Electrician
Lloyd Peters
Morgan
Peter Christian
Moey
Nick Maloney
Rent Man
Lesley Nightingale
Veronica
Harry Goodier
Scarface Policeman
Jason Cunliffe
Boy with Air Gun
John Carr
John Malone
Iggy Navarro
Shake Hands
Al T. Kossy
Gnashers Llewellyn
Eric Granville
Glass Collector
James Culshaw
Police Driver
Doña Croll
Hospital Patient
Mike Hayden
Priest
Tags for Boys from the Blackstuff
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