MASTERPIECE THEATRE: THE DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET {SERIES 2, EPISODE 14}: BLOSSOM TIME (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the title "Masterpiece Theatre," hosted by Alistair Cooke. Episode fourteen in the second series of this drama based on a true story about Louisa Trotter, a scullery maid in Edwardian England who rises to become the proprietor of the Bentinck, an exclusive London hotel, and confidante of the rich and famous. In this episode, Lottie returns to London for her summer vacation from finishing school, and brings along her adventurous, bohemian art teacher, Olive Bradford. Louisa takes an instant dislike to Olive because of the wild behavior she inspires in Lottie, as well as the attention she receives from Major Smith-Barton. At home, Lottie befriends Howard Blenkiron, whom Louisa believes is too wild to be a good companion for her nineteen-year-old daughter. But Lottie thinks otherwise and sneaks out late at night to join him at a nightclub. Although Louisa is furious, she gives Lottie a second chance, but the situation goes awry. Lottie, in love with Blenkiron, admits to him that she is an illegitimate child, causing him to avoid her assiduously by leaving for Scotland. Meanwhile, the seemingly mismatched Olive and Toby engage in a whirlwind courtship with surprising results.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1999.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: March 31, 1980 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:02
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:07955
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Joan Wilson … Producer
- John Hawkesworth … Producer, Created by
- Mary Ridge … Associate Producer
- Gerry Mill … Director
- Jeremy Paul … Writer
- Alexander Faris … Theme Music by
- Alistair Cooke … Host
- Gemma Jones … Cast, Louisa
- Lalla Ward … Cast, Lottie
- Richard Vernon … Cast, Major Smith-Barton
- Helen Ryan … Cast, Olive Bradford
- Richard Morant … Cast, Howard Blenkiron
- Victoria Plucknett … Cast, Mary
- Pauline Quirke … Cast, Pearl
- John Cater … Cast, Starr
- John Welsh … Cast, Merriman
- Felicity Gibson … Cast, Lady Angela
- Timothy Peters … Cast, Patrick Mellor