Raymond Huntley Movies

The fifth and final season of Upstairs, Downstairs covers the years 1910 to 1930, bringing the saga of the Bellamy household to a close. So much time has to be dealt with this season that the producers expanded the episode output from 13 to 16 hour-long episodes. And because virtually every one of those episodes deals with the events of a single year, the writers must for the most part abandon the "serialization" format in favor of self-contained plotlines. As the season begins, James Bellamy (Simon Williams), seriously wounded in WW1, has been invalided out of the service. The injuries sustained by James are compounded by the emotional impact of the death from influenza of his wife Hazel. Thoughout the rest of the season, James will desperately cast about for a purpose in life, ultimately entering into a "surefire" stock-speculation scheme that will bring financial ruin to the Bellamys and precipitate James' premature demise. Meanwhile, James' father Richard (David Langton), whose first wife Marjorie went down with the "Titanic" in 1912, marries Virginia Hamilton (Hannah Gordon), a war widow with two children of her own. Richard's ward Georgina (Leslie-Anne Down) returns from an extended stay in America in 1924, as rumors buzz about head butler Hudson (Gordon Jackson) and new housemaid Lily (Karen Dotrice); after a desultory romance with James and a tragic accident which nearly ruins her future, Georgina will eventually wed Robert Stockbridge (Anthony Andrews), the son of a family of noblemen. In 1925, Member of Parliament Richard Bellamy is appointed Britain's Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and the following year, the "upstairs" and "downstairs" factions of the Bellamy household are virtually torn asunder by the General Strike of 1926. In the series' now-legendary final episode, head maid Rose (Jean Marsh) tearfully wanders through the empty halls of 165 Eaton, wistfully recalling the highlights--and a few of the lowlights--of the past 27 years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The fourth season of the British drama series Upstairs, Downstairs takes place during the war years of 1914 through 1918, a time of great anxiety and upheaval for England in general and the Bellamy household at 165 Eaton Place in particular. The season begins as Hazel Bellamy (Meg Wynn Owen), wife of James Bellamy (Simon Williams), agrees to take in a family of Belgian refugees. Not so politely inclined towards foreigners is the surprisingly emotional head butler Hudson (Gordon Jackson), whose anti-German hysteria all but tears the Bellamy's servant staff apart in the episode "The Beastly Hun" (for which actor Jackson won an Emmy). Maid Daisy (Jacqueline Tong) weds footman Edward (Christopher Beeny) just before he marches off to war; he will return a shellshocked shadow of his former self. Georgina (Leslie Anne-Down), the ward of James Bellamy's father Richard (David Langton), takes nursing training, while scullery maid Ruby (Jenny Tomasin), heretofore dismissed as a dimwit, demonstrates her patriotism and resilience by going to work at a munitions factory. Also, head maid Rose (Jean Marsh) is unexpectedly reunited with her erstwhile Australian sweetheart Gregory (Keith Barron), who is ultimately killed in battle. While James is serving his country in France, Hazel begins a platonic friendship with young airman Jack Dyson (Andrew Ray), and later agonizes when James is reported missing in action. The war comes home in spectacular fashion when 165 Eaton is damaged by a German bomb. And in the episode "Another Year", Hannah Gordon is introduced in the role of Virginia Hamilton, the widow of a Naval officer. The season finale is a riveting combination of happiness and heartbreak: Though seriously injured in the war, James manages to return to the arms of his wife Hazel--who, unfortunately, has become one of the victims of the deadly international influenza epidemic. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The third season of the British drama series Upstairs, Downstairs sweeps past the Edwardian era to cover the pre-war years between 1912 and 1914. Because actress Rachel Gurney had already announced her intention to leave the series, the producers decided to provide the character of Lady Marjorie Bellamy with a truly unforgettable exit, and to that end took advantage of the 1912 setting in the Emmy-nominated season opener "Miss Forrest". The title refers to the newest member of the Bellamy household, Richard Bellamy's ultra-efficient secretary Hazel Forrest (Meg Wynn Owen), whom Richard (David Langton) hires just before his wife Marjorie is to visit their daughter Elizabeth (played during the first two seasons by the now-departed Nicola Pagett) in America. And how will Majorie cross the Atlantic. Via the new, unsinkable ocean liner, the "Titanic". . . After the death of Marjorie, Hazel becomes unofficial head of the Bellamy household, eventually marrying Richard's troubled son James (Simon Williams). Also joining the household this season are Richard's pretty ward Georgina Worsley (Leslie-Anne Down) and new maid Daisy (Jacqueline Tong), who will fall in love with footman Edward (Christopher Beeny). In other developments, warm-hearted head maid Rose (Jean Marsh), taking pity on impoverished ex-servant Alfred (George Innes)--who left the Bellamy household in disgrace in Season One--allows him to briefly stay in the cellar, a generous gesture that endangers the lives of everyone at 165 Eaton; later, Rose considers the prospect of marriage to Australian sheep farmer Gregory Wilmott (Keith Barron); head butler Hudson (Gordon Jackson) is torn between loyalty to the Bellamys and his own ambition when he is offered a job at the country estate of Richard Bellamy's old friend Bunny Newbury (John Quayle); and Richard himself is innocently swept up in a financial scandal that nearly destroys his political career. The season ends with the Emmy-winning episode "The Sudden Storm" as cook Mrs. Bridges (Angela Baddeley), of all people, is squired by an eligible old bachelor--while outside the relative comfort of the Bellamy home, war clouds are gathering in Europe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Inasmuch as Season One of the British drama series Upstairs, Downstairs covered the years 1903 to 1909, logic dictates that the second season should have moved on to the second decade of the 20th century. However, the produced decided for the time being to keep the action concentrated in the Edwardian era, thus Season Two was set between 1908 to 1909, necessitating a backward leap within the months occurring between episodes 12 and 13 of Season One. This resulted in a bit of confusion, especially when the focus was on Elizabeth Bellamy (Nicola Pagget) and her troubled relationship with new husband Lawrence Kirbridge (Ian Ogilvy). Proper continuity was restored when the first two seasons of Upstairs, Downstairs were merged into one for American TV play in 1974; unfortunately, in the process 13 of the combined 26 episodes were shelved, not to be seen in the U.S. for several years. Because of a prior theatrical commitment, Simon Williams makes only two appearances this season in the role of the irresponsible James Bellamy--but those appearances prove highly significant to the overall scheme of things, as James is faced with the prospect of illegitimate fatherhood as the result of his backstairs liason with reckless housemaid Sarah (Pauline Collins), and later throws the Bellamy household into turmoil when he returns from India with a new fiancée, Phyllis Kingman (Delia Lindsay), in tow. New to the cast this season are Jenny Tomasin in the comic role of dull-witted scullery maid Ruby; and John Alderton as the Bellamy's chauffeur Thomas Watkins, who after being offered up as a possible romantic interest for head maid Rose (Jean Marsh), ends up leaving 165 Eaton Place to take up housekeeping with the redoubtable Sarah, who is once again "with child" (namely, Thomas'). The futher adventures of this couple will be chronicled in the 1979 spinoff series Thomas and Sarah. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This satirical fantasy is based upon an Elmer Rice play from 1923. A hard-working office employee is rewarded for his years of slavish devotion to the company by getting fired just prior to retirement and being replaced with an adding machine. Now, with only his nagging wife waiting at home to add more misery to his dreary life, the man has nothing left and goes over the edge. He murders his boss and then goes on trial. He is convicted and put to death. He dies a happy and free man, thinking that he will surely go to Hell. Strangely enough, he ends up in a heavenly waiting area with other killers who are all there to be reassigned to new lives back on Earth. While waiting, he meets his new guardian angel. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this psychological drama, the daughter of a British barrister is killed in a hit-and-run accident. Her bereaved father swears his revenge. When the man's neighbor is killed, the barrister finds himself accused of the death. He begins to wonder if he is not going stark raving mad. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

England's famed comedy brothers John Boulting and Roy Boulting created this caper about a trio of crooks plotting to retrieve their ill-gotten booty. Jelly Knight (Dudley Sutton), Lenny the Dip (Kenneth Griffith), and Scapa Flood (James Beckett) are released from the stir upon finishing their sentence for pulling off a heist. They immediately go in search of their one-time leader, The Duke (Anton Rodgers), who was supposed to safeguard their share of the money. When they find the Duke's girlfriend Sara (Charlotte Rampling), she tells them that the Duke is dead, and the money is long gone. It's not long before the gang discovers that she's lying, however, and that the Duke is masquerading as the head of a spa, the Hope Springs Nature Clinic, where he is planning a felony with some criminal cronies. Jelly, Lenny, and Scapa get in on the scam, while Sara dallies with Lieutenant Vine (Ian Bannen), an officer from a nearby army camp. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

In this lively British comedy, a newlywed couple's quaint country cottage becomes a nightmare of repairs as they try to fix it up themselves. They originally purchased the ramshackle pile to escape the influence of the new wife's meddlesome father. Unfortunately, the place needs more help than they are able to give and they must reluctantly get her father's help. He brings in a bumbling builder and things only get worse from there. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this youthful drama, based on a true story, a group of boarding school girls who have lost their virginity begin to proudly wear yellow teddy bear pins to show that they are now worldly women. One of them, a troubled 16-year old who has been ignored by her parents, is quite pleased when she finally gets her pin. Unfortunately she also gets pregnant. Her impregnator is a window washer and aspiring pop singer. She needs an abortion and is assisted by a helpful hooker who also helps her become a streetwalker so she can raise the cash for the operation. The girls father is outraged when he learns the truth, but he blames the school's biology teacher, not his daughter. He is angry with the educator because she knew all about the teddy bear club and was the one who talked about sex with them. The teacher resigns after being reprimanded. Before she does though, she gives an emotional speech to the school board. Meanwhile the troubled girl, runs away to London. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

One's enjoyment of On the Beat rests solely upon one's tolerance of British comedian Norman Wisdom, who can be described as a Jerry Lewis without the discipline. Wisdom plays a Scotland Yard parking attendant who seemingly can't draw breath without breaking something or knocking someone down. He wants to become a detective, but the Yard isn't quite ready for such a catastrophe. He proves his worth--and wreaks more havoc--by going undercover and trapping a gang of jewel thieves. The slapstick is serviceable in On the Beat; as for the "serious" moments, Wisdom's notion of pathos is to scream at the top of his lungs. You may want to join him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fitzjohn (Peter Sellers) is a retired general who is miserable at home with his shrewish wife Emily (Margaret Leighton). He dreams of younger days when he enjoyed the platonic company of the beautiful Ghislaine (Dany Robin). After many years, she shows up at his door and expresses her desire to take their relationship beyond the platonic level. When his plans are temporarily postponed, he leaves her in care of his right hand man. His aid and Ghislaine fall in love, prompting Fitzjohn to begin court-martial proceedings against his unfaithful aide. When the lineage of his aide is discovered, he tries to halt the trial in this ironic comedy taken from the play by Jean Anouilh. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

The Risk is a mild melodrama concerning the political aspects of germ warfare. A group of British scientists led by Peter Cushing develop a means of wiping out the bubonic plague and typhus. Unfortunately the method is variable enough to run the risk of spreading the very diseases it is designed to destroy. When the British government refuses to allow the results of the experiments to be published, the scientists seek out support from a big-time publisher (Raymond Huntley) who has his own diabolical agenda. The Risk has moments of genuine tension, though not enough to fully realize the storyline's potential. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this British comedy set in Saudi Arabia, a gentle British travel-agency clerk decides that it would be a smashing idea to open up a desert resort in Arabia. He heads to the desert and immediately finds himself on the bad side of a local sheik as the fellow tries to build his resort atop oil-rich land. A war erupts between rival desert bands as they vie for the rights to the oil, but it is the travel agent who wins out in the end. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide