Episode #1.20 (1 Jun. 1974)

When the Liberal Party is returns to power with Plantagenet the presumptive Prime Minister, Glencora relishes her role as hostess for the nation.

Director:

Ronald Wilson

Writers:

Simon Raven, Anthony Trollope (novel)

Stars:

Susan Hampshire, Philip Latham, Stuart Wilson

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Susan Hampshire	...	Glencora
Philip Latham	...	Plantagenet
Stuart Wilson	...	Ferdinand Lopez
Barbara Murray	...	Marie Finn
Brewster Mason	...	Abel Wharton
Gareth Forwood	...	Everett Wharton
Sheila Ruskin	...	Emily Wharton
Roger Livesey	...	Duke of St. Bungay
Moray Watson	...	Barrington Erle
Donald Pickering	...	Dolly Longstaffe
Anthony Andrews	...	Lord Silverbridge
Kate Nicholls	...	Lady Mary Palliser
Jeremy Irons	...	Frank Tregear
David Ryall	...	Sextus Parker
Jacqueline Maude	...	Mrs. Pritchard

Storyline

As the Liberal Party returns to power and looks to him as the new Prime Minister, Plantagenet has doubts about his abilities to fulfill the challenges of the post. Initially Glencora wants him to appoint her to a post at court, but he feels that it would be inappropriate, so she talks him into letting her open up the duke's old castle as a venue appropriate to host the world's elite. Cora informs her head housekeeper that she should expect at least fifty guests at all times and provide whatever necessities they should require. When Plantagenet sees the army of decorators, builders, gardeners, and landscapers that have descended on the venerable estate, he is appalled and terms it "vulgarity." Glencora is upset at his attitude, but has daughter Mary and Marie Finn to help her fulfill her Ministerial hostess duties. As a sidebar, ambitious social climber Ferdinand Lopez uses his friendship with Everett Wharton to insinuate himself into his family and ingratiate himself with his pretty ...

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Plot Keywords:

decorator | hostess | estate | housekeeper | gardener | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 June 1974 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Did You Know?

Quotes

Marie Finn: To tell you the truth, Glencora, I don't think you will ever be able to make the duke believe in anything. Whatever he believes, he believes out of very old habit or the workings of his own mind.

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