Albert Baker is trapped in a world of romantic fantasy. But his attempts to play the great lover backfire each time. Falling out with his current girlfriend, he walks home alone. In the display window of a London department store, he spots an unusually attractive dummy.
It comes to life, and smiles at him.
So smitten is Albert that he gets a job at the store as a dresser. He calls the dummy 'Eve', and in his imagination they act out every romantic situation imaginable. For the first time in his life, he is happy.
But Mr.Royal, his boss, announces his intention to replace the store's stock of dummies, meaning that Eve is bound for the furnace...
Adapted from the story 'Special Delivery' by John Collier, 'Eve' sounds like an ideal premise for a comedy, and indeed there is some amusement to be had in watching the Dennis Waterman character romancing Eve in soft focus and slow motion, but the episode also works as a study in psychology. 'Albert' goes insane because his dreams won't come true, and his madness leads him to ( accidentally ) commit murder.
When Eve comes to life, she is played by the beautiful American actress Carol Lynley, and though mostly mute manages to convey emotion using a variety of expressions and gestures. Dennis Waterman was a good five years or so away from 'The Sweeney' and a decade before 'Minder'. He is excellent as 'Albert', at times reminding one of Tom Courtenay's 'Billy Liar'. That wonderful actor Michael Gough plays 'Mr.Royal'.
One question though - how did Albert manage to get Eve away from London without attracting attention?
The premise of shop window dummies coming to life was also explored in the 'Twilight Zone' episode 'The After Hours', as well as the 'Dr.Who' classic 'Spearhead From Space'. 'Eve' is more whimsical, but no less gripping, and ends on a tragic note.
It comes to life, and smiles at him.
So smitten is Albert that he gets a job at the store as a dresser. He calls the dummy 'Eve', and in his imagination they act out every romantic situation imaginable. For the first time in his life, he is happy.
But Mr.Royal, his boss, announces his intention to replace the store's stock of dummies, meaning that Eve is bound for the furnace...
Adapted from the story 'Special Delivery' by John Collier, 'Eve' sounds like an ideal premise for a comedy, and indeed there is some amusement to be had in watching the Dennis Waterman character romancing Eve in soft focus and slow motion, but the episode also works as a study in psychology. 'Albert' goes insane because his dreams won't come true, and his madness leads him to ( accidentally ) commit murder.
When Eve comes to life, she is played by the beautiful American actress Carol Lynley, and though mostly mute manages to convey emotion using a variety of expressions and gestures. Dennis Waterman was a good five years or so away from 'The Sweeney' and a decade before 'Minder'. He is excellent as 'Albert', at times reminding one of Tom Courtenay's 'Billy Liar'. That wonderful actor Michael Gough plays 'Mr.Royal'.
One question though - how did Albert manage to get Eve away from London without attracting attention?
The premise of shop window dummies coming to life was also explored in the 'Twilight Zone' episode 'The After Hours', as well as the 'Dr.Who' classic 'Spearhead From Space'. 'Eve' is more whimsical, but no less gripping, and ends on a tragic note.