Alfred Shaughnessy Movies

"The Crooked Man" is an episode of the television series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, an excellent adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes mystery stories, produced in Britain for Granada TV. In this episode, directed by Alan Grint, Jeremy Brett portrays the famed detective, aided by his companion Dr. Watson (David Burke) as the two help investigate and solve the mysterious murder of Colonel Barclay (Denys Hawthorne). This episode, written by Alfred Shaughnessy, re-creates the adventures of Conan Doyle's Victorian detective with impeccable faithfulness to the original story first published in the Strand Magazine during the late-19th century. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide

Ultra-reserved head butler Hudson (Gordon Jenkins) shocks the Bellamy household when he falls in love with under-housemaid Lily (Karen Dotrice, who at 22 is more than half his age. Despite the remonstrations of Rose (Jean Marsh), Hudson is willing to face the consequence of his May-December romance. There is only problem: Lily may not be in love with him. Written by Alfred Shaughnessy, "Disillusion" first aired in England on October 19, 1975, and in the United States on February 27, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

June, 1927: A somewhat libidinous film producer (Seymour Green) offers Georgina (Lesley Anne-Down) a part in his upcoming movie. While Georgina deals with this turn of events, her socialite chum Lady Dolly Hale (Madeline Cannon) brazenly propositions household servant Frederick (Gareth Hunt, in his last series appearance). Written by Alfred Shaughnessy, "Alberto" made its BBC debut on November 16, 1975. The episode first aired in America on March 27, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

It is September of 1918, and the war to end all wars is drawing to a close. Invalided out of the service, James Bellamy (Simon Williams) drives everyone at Eaton Place to distraction with his obstreperous behavior. Before long, however, several other members of the household have been laid low by the flu epidemic -- including James' wife Hazel (Meg Wynn Owen). Meanwhile, James' father Richard proposes to war widow Virginia Hamilton (Hannah Gordon), and Edward (Christopher Beeney) renews his relationship with Daisy (Jacqueline Tong). The final episode of Upstairs, Downstairs' fourth season, "Peace Out of Pain" was written by Alfred Shaughnessy. The episode originally aired in England on December 7, 1974, and was subsequently shown in America on March 28, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Daisy (Jacqueline Tong has finally said "yes" to Edward (Christopher Beeney), and they intend to tie the matrimonial knot when he comes home on his next leave. Meanwhile, Georgina (Lesley-Anne Down) does her bit for the war effort by training as a volunteer nurse, and kitchen slavey Ruby (Jenny Tomasin) goes to work at a munitions plant, thereby causing no little discomfort for her longtime tormenter Mrs. Bridges. With virtually all the Eaton Place women active on the home front, James' frustration over his temporary banishment from the trenches is intensified. Written by Alfred Shaughnessy, "Women Shall Not Weep" premiered in England on October 5, 1974; the episode was first telecast in America on January 25, 1976. ~ 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

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

In the first-season Upstairs, Downstairs episode "Magic Casements," Lady Marjorie Bellamy (Rachel Gurney) has had a brief fling with dashing Army captain Hammond. Now Hammond is dead, and several indiscreet letters written between the clandestine couple have fallen into the hands of a blackmailing ex-soldier (Desmond Perry). It is up to chauffeur Thomas Watkins (John Alderton) to act as go-between and ultimate problem-solver. Written sans screen credit by Peter Wildeblood and Alfred Shaughnessy, "The Property of a Lady" made its British TV bow on November 24, 1972, one of 13 Upstairs, Downstairs episodes withheld from American release until 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide