MASTERPIECE THEATRE: THE BRETTS {SERIES 1, EPISODE 1}: THE KING SHALL NOT DIE/DRIVING AMBITION {TAPE 1 OF 2} (TV)
Summary
Episode one of eight (tape one of two). One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the title "Masterpiece Theatre," hosted by Alistair Cooke. The premiere episode, in two parts, of this comedic drama about a theatrical family in 1920s London, headed by an egocentric and melodramatic actor-manager Charles Brett and his imperious actress wife Lydia. In part one of this episode, "The King Shall Not Die," Charles is too wrapped up in trying to find a role to notice that he is late paying his creditors, so he seeks a secretary and a stage role to put his financial and professional situation to rights. Unfortunately, his choice for secretary -- the pretty and aristocratic Lady Agatha -- doesn't please Lydia, and his play garners an even worse response from theater critics. In part two of this episode, "Driving Ambition," Charles wants son Edwin to take over the lead in his dud of a play, "The King Shall Not Die," but is prevented by the Princess Theatre's owner, Brewster, who values Charles's box office draw over artistry. Artistry is also at issue for youngest son Tom, who seeks to mount a production of his avant-garde play "The Liar," starring fame-seeking sister Martha. In the meantime, Lydia is angry with Charles for hiring a driver, Hegarty, with whom he'd once caroused; and Sutton, the butler, is annoyed that Charles's new working-class secretary, Jean Lacy, spends time socializing with young Tom. Continues with T:26038.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: October 11, 1987 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:02:18
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:26037
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; She Made It Collection (Rebecca Eaton)
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Colin Callender … Executive Producer
- Ted Childs … Executive Producer
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Frank Marshall … Executive Producer
- Tony Charles … Producer
- Sarah D. Wilson … Associate Producer
- Ronald Wilson … Director
- Rosemary Anne Sisson … Created by, Writer
- Frank Marshall … Created by
- Laurence Marks … Writer
- Maurice Gran … Writer
- David Cullin … Music by
- David Mackay … Music by
- Alistair Cooke … Host
- Norman Rodway … Cast, Charles
- Barbara Murray … Cast, Lydia
- David Yelland … Cast, Edwin
- Belinda Lang … Cast, Martha
- George Winter … Cast, Thomas
- Tim Wylton … Cast, Sutton
- Janet Maw … Cast, Jean Lacy
- Rhoda Lewis … Cast, Flora
- Billy Boyle … Cast, Hegarty
- Rebecca Lacey … Cast, Emily
- Bert Parnaby … Cast, Brewster
- Charles Collingswood … Cast, John Caldwell
- Victoria Burton … Cast, Nell Caldwell
- Ivor Roberts … Cast, Burroughs
- Shirley Cassedy … Cast, Lady Agatha Danvers