The Black Velvet Gown (TV 1991)

In the 1830's in northern England, Riah Millican, a widow with three children, takes a job as housekeeper to a reclusive former teacher, Percival Miller. Miller makes Riah the gift of a ... See full summary »

Director:

Norman Stone

Writers:

Catherine Cookson (novels), Gordon Hann

Stars:

Bob Peck, Janet McTeer, Geraldine Somerville

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bob Peck	...	Percival Miller
Janet McTeer	...	Riah Millican
Geraldine Somerville	...	Biddy Millican
Brendan P. Healy	...	Tol Briston
Jean Anderson	...	Madame Gallmington
Christopher Benjamin	...	Anthony Gallington
Wendy Williams	...	Grace Gallmington
David Hunt	...	Laurence Gallmington
Aran Bell	...	Stephen Gallmington
Jonathan Firth	...	Paul Gallmington
Louise Lombard	...	Lucy Gallmington
Madeleine Moffat	...	Jessie Hobson
Val McLane	...	Annie Griston
James Garbutt	...	Doctor Pritchard
Donald Bisset	...	Mr. Morgan

Storyline

In the 1830's in northern England, Riah Millican, a widow with three children, takes a job as housekeeper to a reclusive former teacher, Percival Miller. Miller makes Riah the gift of a black velvet gown, and even educates her children. But when Riah discovers the reason behind Miller's gifts, she vows to leave his house, but Miller has a hold on her, even after his death, when he leaves his house to her on the condition that she never marry. Riah's daughter, Biddy, grows up and becomes a laundress in a large house where her education keeps her from fitting in and makes her a target. But it also catches the eye of a son of the house, and with Miller's legacies, Biddy may yet find her way to happiness.

---

Plot Keywords:

housekeeper | england | 1840s | color in title | servant | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Catherine Cookson's The Black Velvet Gown

Filming Locations:

Durham, County Durham, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Portman Productions, Tyne Tees Television, World Wide International Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Pure Soap

The Upstairs, Downstairs plot from a story by prolific author Catherine Cookson is interesting enough but some grotesque overacting and the plodding direction ruin it. Bob Peck, so wonderful in `Edge of Darkness' mugs outrageously, gangly Oscar-nominee Janet McTeer doesn't age as her little children become adults. The Tyne-Tees TV costume department has been plundered for flat caps and smocks, the accents are all `When the boat comes in'