MASTERPIECE THEATRE: THE DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET {SERIES 2, EPISODE 9}: TEA AND A WAD (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the title "Masterpiece Theatre," hosted by Alistair Cooke. Episode nine 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, Louisa is forced to close The Bentinck temporarily for repairs after a recent bombing. During that time, she follows Major Smith-Barton's suggestion and opens up a canteen in Boulogne, France, for soldiers on leave, with the help of some of her staff. While operating the canteen called Louisa's, she receives a surprise visit from Charlie Haslemere, and soon they rekindle their romance and arrange to get married as soon as the war is over. Meanwhile, Mary befriends a soldier named Jacques who helps out at the canteen. One day, he tells Mary that he is a deserter wanted by the military police and that he must leave in order to avoid capture and death by firing squad. Mary convinces him to discuss the matter with the Major, who comes up with an unusual plan to help him. And as Louisa returns to London to her refurbished hotel, she makes certain that individuals who caused her trouble in France are given their just desserts.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1999.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: February 10, 1980 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:43
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:07960
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; World War I - Drama
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Joan Wilson … Producer
- John Hawkesworth … Producer, Created by, Writer
- Mary Ridge … Associate Producer
- Cyril Coke … Director
- Alexander Faris … Theme Music by
- Alistair Cooke … Host
- Gemma Jones … Cast, Louisa
- Christopher Cazenove … Cast, Charles Haslemere
- Victoria Plucknett … Cast, Mary
- Mary Healey … Cast, Mrs. Cochrane
- Richard Vernon … Cast, Major Smith-Barton
- Gordon Kane … Cast, Jock
- Barbara Lott … Cast, Mrs. Farthing-Whitely
- Edward Underdown … Cast, the Adjutant-General
- Madeleine Cannon … Cast, Mrs. Fitzsimmons
- Hilary Minster … Cast, Captain Wyndham-Bragg
- Derek Martin … Cast, the Sergeant
- Andrew Neil … Cast, the Highland Private
- Ronald Markham … Cast, the Staff Major
- Evan Ross … Cast, the Welsh Sergeant
- Peter Jolley … Cast, the Grenadier Guardsman
- Anthony McEvoy … Cast, the Cockney Private