Bill Bain Movies

Autumn, 1921: James Bellamy's (Simon Williams) outlook on life improves when he takes up flying as a hobby. Upon the return of his young stepmother Virginia (Hannah Gordon), James invites her for a spin in his airplane. Joy turns to anxiety in the Bellamy household when the plane disappears and its occupants are reported missing. Written by Alfred Shaughnessy, "The Joy Ride" first aired in England on September 28, 1975, and in America on February 6, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Vacationing at a Scottish Highlands fishing lodge, the members of the Bellamy household cross swords with taciturn groundskeeper McKay (Jack Watson) and his equally truculent wife (Georgine Anderson). As Hudson tries to get to the bottom of McKay's curious behavior, James Bellamy (Simon Williams) realizes with startling suddenness that he has fallen in love with his half-cousin Georgina (Lesley-Anne Down). Written by Rosemary Anne Sisson, "Will Ye No Come Back Again" was first broadcast in England on November 23, 1975. American viewers finally saw the episode on April 3, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The fifth and final season of Upstairs, Downstairs picked up the saga of the Bellamy household in the summer of 1919. Grieving over the death of his wife Hazel in the flu epidemic, James Bellamy (Simon Williams remains in seclusion at 165 Eaton Place. Meanwhile, Rose (Jean Marsh) comments ruefully on the fact that the house has more servants than necessary, forcing James to make a fateful decision. On a happier note, Richard Bellamy (David Langton) and Virginia (Hannah Gordon) go off on their honeymoon, while Edward (Christopher Beeney) and Daisy (Jacqueline Tong) return from theirs. Written by Alfred Shaughnessy, "On With the Dance" first aired in England on September 7, 1975, and in America on January 16, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The third season of Upstairs, Downstairs came to an end with the episode titled "The Sudden Storm." In 1914, as the clouds of war gather over England and Europe, the residents of Eaton Place -- master and servant alike -- try to forget their troubles, and the world's, with a seaside holiday. But all is not rosy in the Bellamy household, certainly not for Mrs. Bridges the cook (Angela Badderly), whose burgeoning romance with the local fishmonger is causing friction amongst the "downstairs" people. Meanwhile, Daisy (Jacqueline Tong) and Georgina (Lesley-Anne Down) are rapidly falling love with Edward (Christopher Beeney) and Billy Lynton (Paul Alexander), respectively, as the already tottering marriage between Hazel (Meg Wynn Owen)and James (Simon Williams) seems poised to plunge into the abyss. Written by John Hawkesworth, "The Sudden Storm" earned an Emmy nomination for its director, Bill Bain. The episode first aired in England on January 19, 1974, and in America on January 26, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

October, 1917: While the Bellamy household staff is participating in a charity show, staged in the Eaton Place drawing room by the indefatigable Lady Prudence Fairfax (Joan Benham), all of London is rocked by a German air raid. One of the bombs falls near the Bellamy home, causing a great deal of damage, but no casualties. Still, there is cause to worry amongst the "upstairs" and "downstairs" people: James Bellamy (Simon Williams) is reported as missing in action at Passchendaele. Written by Rosemary Anne Sisson, "The Hero's Farewell" first aired in England on November 16, 1974, then in the United States on March 7, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

With Hudson (Gordon Jackson) in tow, James Bellamy (Simon Langton accepts the invitation of his old friend Lord "Bunny" Newbury (John Quayle) for a weekend party at Somerby, His Lordship's lavish estate. Things get sticky when Lord Newbury's erstwhile fiancée, Lady Diana Russell (Celia Bannerman), falls for James. Meanwhile, head butler Hudson is sorely tempted to leave the Bellamys' employ and accept a position at Somersby. Written by Rosemary Ann Sisson, "A Change of Scene" was originally telecast in England on November 10, 1973, then shown in America on November 17, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

First telecast in England on October 27, 1973, "Miss Forrest" was the opening volley in Upstairs, Downstairs' third season. The time is April of 1912: Upset over the a social gaffe committed by James Bellamy (Simon Williams, head butler Hudson (Gordon Jackson) huffily resigns. The cause of all the bother turns out to be Hazel Forrest (Meg Wynn Owen, in her first series appearance), a young typist whom Richard Bellamy (David Langton) has hired to help him finish his latest book. As the various household intrigues work themselves out, Lady Marjorie Bellamy (Rachel Gurney) excitedly prepares to sail for America on the Titanic. (Needless to say, this was Gurney's final appearance on the series.) Written by Alfred Shaughnessy, who earned an Emmy nomination for his efforts, "Miss Forrest" was subsequently aired in America on November 3, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Christmas week, 1908: Prodigal daughter Elizabeth (Nicola Pagett) returns to the Bellamy household -- minus her husband, Lawrence Kirbridge (Ian Ogilvy). Insisting that she wants a divorce, Elizabeth consults Sir Geoffrey Dillon (Raymond Huntley), who wonders if her charges of "nonconsummation" will hold up in court. Sir Geoffrey's doubts, it turns out, are well-founded. Written by Jeremy Paul, "Whom God Hath Joined. . ." first aired in England on November 10, 1972, and in the United States on February 10, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Steed infiltrates a school for butlers in order to unmask a traitor. While he is being drilled in the finer points of silent servitude, Emma attempts to charm her way into the heart of a suspected turncoat who is also a notorious lecher. If any doubts still lingered that The Avengers was not intended to be taken seriously, this episode would dispell them instantly. Written by Brian Clemens, "What the Butler Saw" first aired in England on February 26, 1966; it was subsequently shown on American network television on July 28, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Steed suspects that something's amiss when one of his old friends, a wealthy businessman, is buried in an out-of-the-way Cornish village. Several other deceased millionaires have likewise chosen this burial site, and it just doesn't add up. Conducting an investigation, Steed and Gale uncover a conspiracy involving a supposedly worked-out tin mine. Written by Roger Marshall, "Mandrake" first aired in England on January 25, 1964, but it wasn't seen in America until March 27, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The reclusive millionaire whom Steed was assigned to escort to New York has been spirited away to a private nursing home -- in a coffin. Investigating these mysterious goings-on, Cathy gets a job at the same home. Finally locating the missing person, Cathy discovers that the man has been replaced by an impostor. . .and that the mystery has only begun. A satiric jab at Britain's excessive inheritance taxes (the connection between this plot twist and the rest of the story is made obvious only in the final moments), "The Undertakers" was written by Malcolm Hulke. It was originally telecast in England on October 5, 1963, and it belatedly debuted in America on March 6, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

First telecast in England on December 28, 1963, this episode begins with a missile attack on England, which fortunately proves to be a fake. Wondering why only one of the country's radar stations failed to report the attack, Steed purchases some valuable property bordering that station. Shortly afterward, he and his new neighbors are invited to a New Year's Eve celebration on board a train. When the guests begin dying at an alarming rate, Cathy Gale races to the rescue -- fetchingly disguised as a belly dancer. Celebrated comic actors Leonard Rossiter and John Junkin appear in supporting roles. Written by Brian Clemens, "Dressed to Kill" remained unseen in America until March 21, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide