LIKE IT IS

GB
1998
1hr 35mins
Dir: Paul Oremland
Starring: Steve Bell and Ian Rose

A boxer has a gay relationship with a young record producer

This gay-themed romance has some early scenes that were shot at night in Blackpool and these feature good shots of passing trams – namely double-deck balloons, vintage Bolton Transport No.66, and the illuminated ‘Rocketship’ tramcar. A little later in the film there is a scene filmed onboard an EMU that looks to be an NSE Class 455, and towards the end there is a shot of Docklands Light Railway units passing London Arena. There is then one final semi-distant night shot of double-deck balloon tram on Blackpool seafront.

The film opens in Blackpool at night, with some good shots of passing trams. Here we see a double-deck balloon car.
Followed by a passing shot of one of Blackpool’s heritage fleet. This is former Bolton Corporation Tramways No.66, an eight-wheel standard double-decker built in 1901.
Blackpool’s illuminated ‘rocketship’ tramcar which was advertising Whitegates estate agents at the time
As Ian Rose and Steve Bell talk on the seafront at Blackpool, a balloon car passes by in the background
Passengers inside a Class 455 EMU. The bland interior is livened up somewhat by the classic Eddie Pond mural on the end wall. Who remembers those?
A Docklands Light Railway train passes by on the elevated section of track outside London Arena
The film ends back where it began, in Blackpool. Another balloon car trundles along the gaily lit prom but isn’t it a bit odd that the tower itself isn’t lit?