The Firefly Cage (10 Jan. 1986)

A firefly cage, beautifully carved from coal leads Lovejoy to a gang of antique thieves and their cache of loot.

Director:

David Reynolds

Writers:

Ian La Frenais (created for television by), Jonathan Gash (based on the Lovejoy books by),

Stars:

Ian McShane, Phyllis Logan, Dudley Sutton

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Ian McShane	...	Lovejoy
Phyllis Logan	...	Lady Jane
Dudley Sutton	...	Tinker
Malcolm Tierney	...	Gimbert
Chris Jury	...	Eric
Kim Thomson	...	Nicola
Ronald Fraser	...	Drummer
Sarah Lawson	...	Mrs. Hepplestone
Frank Mills	...	Mr. Catchpole
Cassie Stuart	...	Amanda
Denys Graham	...	Bigelow
Pavel Douglas	...	Alexander
Jan Wilson	...	Mrs. Cameron
Ben Howard	...	Devlin
Jeff Hall	...	Ossie

Storyline

Antiques dealer Lovejoy tours the auction rooms of Norfolk with his barker Tinker and young assistant Eric looking for bargains. After being hauled in by the police over a stolen chalice he misses the opportunity to buy a Japanese firefly cage,carved from coal,but tracks down the purchaser, Nicola Page,stepdaughter of the late George Hepplestone,an expert at coal carving. When Drummer,an elderly beach-comber who found the chalice and knew Hepplestone,is killed Lovejoy and new friend Lady Jane Felsham investigate,uncovering a racket involving stolen antiques and damaging his landlord,Charlie Gimbert's boat as he brings the killers to justice.

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Plot Keywords:

antique | antique dealer | firefly cage | auction | magistrate | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 1986 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Witzend Productions, Tamariska Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

As Eric's motorbike crosses the ford in Kersey, the front panel of the sidecar gets ripped off by the impact of the water. In the next scene the front panel is seen back on the sidecar.

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Quotes

Tinker Dill: [after Lovejoy has been beaten] Well, they didn't mark the face too much, dear heart. You look no worse than you usually do.
Lovejoy: They must have marked me everywhere else. Mind you, I didn't feel much last night because I was pissed on Lady Jane's champagne.
Eric Catchpole: [Defensively] You told me to pick a name at random.
Tinker Dill: [Philosophically] Yes, drink does deaden pain. That's one of the reasons I imbibe so frequently.

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