MASTERPIECE THEATRE: HOUSE OF CARDS {EPISODE 3} (TV)
Summary
Continued from T:29946. One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the title of "Masterpiece Theatre," hosted by Alistair Cooke. The third of four episodes dramatizing the political machinations of Francis Urquhart, the loyal British conservative party chief whip. In part three, Prime Minister Henry Collingridge issues a startling announcement at an emergency cabinet meeting. Collingridge is prepared to fight the ensuing scandals -- but he has also tendered his resignation as prime minister. As expected, the press receives word of Collingridge's plan before it is official, and Storin believes that the prime minister is being set up. Urquhart's stance on Collingridge changes when giving Storin classified information. During one of their off-the-record discussions, Urquhart and Storin feel an intense attraction to one another and begin having an affair.
Through some crafty investigating, the press learns where Collingridge's brother, Charles, is being kept. Storin decides to visit Charles Collingridge at the treatment center to speak with him, and when Urquhart learns of her visit, he arranges to have someone threaten her. Shaken, Storin finishes her interview with Charles Collingridge, but then learns that it will not be printed and that she has been mysteriously transferred to a different department. The following day, the newspaper gives a glaring vote of confidence for Urquhart to run for prime minister, as planned. Angered by the cover-up and intimidation, Storin vows to learn who carried out the threat on her and uncovers confidential information about the public relations man Roger O'Neill. Continues with T:29948.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1998.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: April 14, 1991 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:55:01
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:29947
- 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, Screenplay by
- 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
- Malcolm Tierney … Cast, Patrick Woolton
- Nicholas Selby … Cast, Lord Billsborough
- Alphonsia Emmanuel … Cast, Penny Guy
- James Villiers … Cast, Charles Collingridge
- Kenny Ireland … Cast, Ben Landless
- Diane Fletcher … Cast, Elizabeth Urquhart
- Isabelle Amyes … Cast, Anne Collingridge
- William Chubb … Cast, John Krajewski
- John Hartley … Cast, Greville Preston
- Christopher Owen … Cast, McKenzie
- Kenneth Gilbert … Cast, Harold Earle
- Damien Thomas … Cast, Michael Samuels
- Colin Jeavons … Cast, Stamper
- Peter Gale … Cast, the Political Secretary
- John Arnatt … Cast, Sir Jasper Grainger
- Geoffrey Bateman … Cast, the Interviewer
- Hugh Dickson … Cast, Dr. Christian
- Richard Brain … Cast, Kevin Spence
- Justine Glenton … Cast, the P.R. Girl