MASTERPIECE THEATRE: HOUSE OF CARDS {EPISODE 1} (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the title of "Masterpiece Theatre," hosted by Alistair Cooke. The first of four episodes dramatizing the political machinations of Francis Urquhart, the loyal British conservative party chief whip. In this episode, with the election of a new prime minister, Urquhart anticipates he will be promoted within the cabinet. However, Prime Minister Henry Collingridge informs Urquhart that because his job as chief whip is vital, the impending promotion will be delayed. Urquhart leaves Collingridge's office fuming and concocts a plan to try and unseat the prime minister. As Urquhart and his wife discuss the situation, an inquisitive reporter, Mattie Storin, shows up and asks questions about rumors within the political structure. Urquhart gives Storin information that he hopes may help him move up in the cabinet, possibly to prime minister. The next day, the newspapers report the rumors, citing anonymous sources, and Collingridge cannot believe a leak has happened. Urquhart then advises Collingridge that the person most likely to leak the information is someone close and loyal to him. Realizing that his plan is working, Urquhart decides to spruce up the situation by adding sex and money. Urquhart tells Storin about Collingridge's brother, Charles, who apparently has a history of money laundering and unorthodox sexual conduct -- or so Urquhart is leading everyone to believe. Continues with T:29946.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1998.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: March 31, 1991 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:48
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:29945
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; She Made It Collection (Rebecca Eaton)
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ken Riddington … Producer
- Jeremy Gwilt … Associate Producer
- Paul Seed … Director
- Andrew Davies … Writer
- Michael Dobbs … Based on the novel by
- Jim Parker … Music by
- Ian Richardson … Cast, Francis Urquhart
- Susannah Harker … Cast, Mattie Storin
- David Lyon … Cast, Henry Collingridge
- Miles Anderson … Cast, Roger O'Neill
- Alphonsia Emmanuel … Cast, Penny Guy
- Diane Fletcher … Cast, Elizabeth Urquhart
- Malcolm Tierney … Cast, Patrick Woolton
- Kenny Ireland … Cast, Ben Landless
- James Villiers … Cast, Charles Collingridge
- Colin Jeavons … Cast, Stamper
- Nicholas Selby … Cast, Lord Billsborough
- Damien Thomas … Cast, Michael Samuels
- William Chubb … Cast, John Krajewski
- John Hartley … Cast, Greville Preston
- Christopher Owen … Cast, McKenzie
- Kenneth Gilbert … Cast, Harold Earle
- Isabelle Amyes … Cast, Anne Collingridge
- Raymond Mason … Cast, Stoat
- Tommy Boyle … Cast, Stephen Kendrick
- John Arnatt … Cast, Sir Jasper Grainger
- Angela Rippon … Cast, the Newsreader
- Robert Ashby … Cast, the Presenter
- Frank Williams … Cast, the Treasurer
- Jeff Nutall … Cast, Biggman
- David Blake Kelly … Cast, Charles Goodman
- Sally Faulkner … Cast, the Junior Health Minister
- Colin Dudley … Cast, the Speaker
- Henrietta Voigts … Cast, the Secretary
- Tariq Yunus … Cast, Jhabwala
- Gertan Klauber … Cast, Blackhead
- Nadim Sawalha … Cast, the Bank Manager
- Michael Tomlinson … Cast, the Constable
- Alex Leppard … Cast, the Commissionaire
- Delaval Astley … Cast, the Political Secretary