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This Mining Review item looks at the making of Philip Leacock's feature film The Brave Don't Cry (1952), understandably placing more emphasis on its accuracy than its storyline. To this end, it focuses on the contribution of retired mine inspector Bill Withers. He was hired to work alongside the production to make sure that its treatment of mining issues in general, and the central mining disaster in particular, rang true. Withers is shown examining the sets and production sketches with designer Michael Stringer, liaising with the plasterers to make sure that the fake coal looks like the real thing when filmed and sitting alongside Leacock and script supervisor Tilly Day as a scene is shot. Finally, the film's star John Gregson delivers a person message for the miners for whom this item was intended, saying how much he learned about the profession and its dangers, and the respect he feels for people who do it for a living. Michael Brooke
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On Set (2:39)
