Quotes from Rita Tushingham

In this business, you need to be in the right place at the right time, have luck and the courage to do the job.

I hate parties. I hate having to do things.

I think a sense of humor vital to get through life: It's a great link between people and can be very effective in a getting a point across.

My biggest fault? I guess it's a lack of patience - not when I'm working, but when I'm not working.

My family never allowed me to get too big for my boots.

I've been in an Agatha Christie called 'The Sittaford Mystery,' which I enjoyed, but 'The Pale Horse' has a real sense of intrigue and the jigsaw pieces fitting together.

Never forget how precious life is or your loved ones.

I was paralyzed with nerves on 'Taste of Honey' and never quite knew what was going on.

I started backstage, making the tea, looking after the actors, doing stage management for two years.

I'm certainly no Cleopatra. I have legs like a schoolgirl and I don't know how I acquired the knack of attracting producers with very attractive offers for very attractive film roles.

Your profession should give you enjoyment, but it should never be your life.

It's great to have a job you find rewarding, but let's face it, we're not saving people's lives. 'Oh gosh, they've got a larger Winnebago than me!' Who cares? It's what ends up on the screen that counts.

Directing seems like a logical progression for me, although I would never put myself in a film of mine. How can you? Putting on make-up while you're trying to concentrate on setting up the next shot? No, no.

I started in theatre, in Liverpool, which is where I'm from, and which I love as a city. I acted at the Liverpool Playhouse, and I have very fond memories of it, but although I love the theatre I'm in love with film.

After 'Honey' I read the rave reviews and thought I had it made. But it was two-and-a-half years before I was on the screen again.

I love Liverpool FC. My dad used to take me to games because he was a shareholder at Everton. When I came down to London, I realised that Liverpool FC was my team.

I like to garden, particularly mowing grass.

My Liverpool blood kept me grounded.

I hate my name. Especially In Liverpool, when they say Hey, Reet... ' it sounds even worse. I don't think of myself as Rita Tushingham, but my mother'd have a fit if I changed it.

Woodfall wasn't deliberately telling working-class stories, but John Osborne and other writers who were involved with them were writing those stories, which had never really been written before. The working-class person always had to have an accent before, was often a joker, and peripheral. At Woodfall, they were driving the film.

People are always asking me about the '60s, like I should be some sort of expert. It's like being in the middle of a hurricane, you can't describe it till it's over. Creativity was allowed to blossom, we were all allowed this marvelous freedom, there was money to do things.

I hate publicity. The only publicity must be through my work. I can only talk about myself in relation to work. I know about work - but I don't know about me.

When I read a script I either immediately identify with the character or I don't. If I find myself reading the part in my own voice I think 'This is a bit of a drag, isn't it?' and it's no good.

I grew up with two brothers with whom I played a rough game of football. If I could take that, I could take anything.