Dolly Parton, Jools Holland and I came together, as you already know, to create three unique hours of continual broadcasting for the BBC Two Special, ‘COUNTRY NIGHT.’
Now for something completely different, but no less fascinating. Let me take you back to a time when an eleven-year-old girl was running for her life on the mean streets of Dundee; pounding through deprived areas few of us would dare to go, but all the time forging an outcome that would shape her life for ever. Her name was Liz Lynch (nr McColgan).
Dolly also made an early start to her career by singing into a tin can on the porch of the one room cabin she shared with her parents and eleven siblings, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee.There was no electricity or running water, but this didn’t seem to affect a wonderful voice and brain, that would also conquer the world.
Like chalk and cheese, but paradoxically, Dolly and Lizshared the same ambition; to be the ‘Best in the World’ at what they did.
Both came from very humble back grounds. Both triumphed in their individual areas of performance and both became high achieving, inspirational women, but never forgot their past and always concerned for the welfare of others.
A few years before the magical ‘Country Night’ experience, I made ‘Going the Distance’(BBC). This was the first of two films Liz and I would make together.
After Showing her our two independent, award winning Olympic Games films. ‘The Long Sprint’ and ‘No Easy Way’ Liz agreed to let me make an in-depth film about her training and preparation for the 10,000 metre run at the World Championships in Tokyo.
This was to be another run of her life, especially as it would take place less than a year after giving birth to daughter Eilish.
Sir Brendan Foster, responding to her fabulous Victory:
‘That’s the greatest run in the history of British distance running, man or woman, ever’
Doug Gillon. ‘The Herald’
Mark Littlewood has graphically captured the months of sweat, toil and tears that are easily forgotten in moments of public adulation’
Sandy Sutherland. ‘The Scotsman’
‘Going the Distance’ is a sensitive and moving account of what it takes to become a World Class female athlete.
I felt very priviledged to be allowed so close to somebody trying to be The Best in the World.
There was a period when Liz was becoming disillusioned with athletics. She was struggling with conflicting ambitions as she searched for a better balance for a life, that just wanted to be a normal young woman.
So, we made another film together called ‘THE GOLDEN GIRL’(see attached flyer) for details.
The following year Liz was awarded an MBE and voted BBC’s Sports Personality, of the year.
What’s so impressive about Dolly and Liz is that they both shared a tremendous work ethic and remain a wonderful example of human endeavour. ‘Going the Distance’ seems to apply to both.
The story of my films and how they came about is in my autobiography:
‘SHAPING THE SHADOWS; A Picture Maker’s Story’
For sale from:
Amazon
The National Library of Scotland
marklittlewood.org.uk
#LizMcColgan #DollyParton #JoolsHolland#ShapingTheShadowsaPictureMakersStory
