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Period drama
serial. In the 1930's suave conman Ralph Gorse, with an eye for the ladies and
the main chance, eventually gets his comeuppance.
REGULAR
CAST
NIGEL HAVERS as
Ralph Ernest Gorse / BERNARD HEPTON as Donald Stimpson / ROSEMARY LEACH as Joan
Plumleigh-Bruce / FIONA FULLARTON as Clarice Manners
PRODUCTION
DETAILS
Writer: Alan Prior / Novel:
Mr Stimpson and Mr Gorse by Patrick Hamilton / Music: Richard Rodney
Bennett / You're the Top sung by Paul Jones / Costume: Sue Thomson
/ Design: Bryan Bagge / Executive Producer: Nick Elliott / Producer:
Philip Hinchcliffe / Director: Alan Gibson
UK / London Weekend Television
/ 6x60m-e / 1987 18 October - 22 November
1.
GORSE, THE TEMPTER
After agreeing to house sit for
friend Ronnie Shooter, Ralph Gorse meets solicitor Donald Stimpson for the first
time, Stimpson makes the mistake of introducing him to middle-aged Joan
Plumleigh-Bruce (with whom Stimpson has 'expectations'). Plumleigh-Bruce is
immediately smitten, Ralph meanwhile spots the chance to talk Joan into
investing in a business opportunity. Gorse also falls for posh Clarice Manners
whom he meets at a 'den of iniquity' with Stimpson.
With:- DAVID McKAIL as Ronnie
Shooter / NAOMI BUCH as Odette / GRACE KINIRONS as Mary / MATTHEW DEVITT as
Albert / MIKE SAVAGE as Car Dealer / JENNY DONNISON as Maid / PADDY JOYCE as
Stable Lad / LARRY MARTYN as Taxi Driver
2.
GORSE, THE INVESTOR
Gorse is pursuing Clarice Manners
with a passion but she lets him know his money (or lack of it) is a problem.
Ralph is already plotting to relieve Plumleigh-Bruce of her savings. Stimpson,
meanwhile, is starting to have his doubts about Ralph.
With:- GRACE KINIRONS as Mary /
MATTHEW DEVITT as Albert / PATRICK GODFREY as Mr Norris / ANDREW BICKNELL as
Archie / GRAHAM ROWE as Mr Saxby / PAUL BACON as Receptionist / JONATHAN LACEY
as Bert / GILES OLDERSHAW as Porter
3.
GORSE, THE DECEIVER
Having swindled Joan
Plumleigh-Bruce
out of £1,000 Ralph has quickly spent it and is now cashing dud cheques. Once
more down on his luck Ralph takes back an old car selling job with Harold
Bennett, later he is tracked down by Stimpson and Plumleigh-Bruce but having got
Bennett's daughter Pamela pregnant manages to wangle his way out of his
problems.
With:- GEORGE BAKER as Harold
Bennett / GILLIAN RAINE as Phyllis Bennett / ABIGAIL McKERN as Pamela / TONY
STEEDMAN as Sir Robert Simms / CHFRISSIE COTTERILL as Bunty / GRACE KINIRONS as
Mary / BRIAN POYSER as Vinson / TERENCE LODGE as Photographer / NICHOLAS AMER as
Hotel Receptionist / HOWARD LEW LEWIS (with dubbed voice) as Gardener / STEPHEN
GORDON as Press Man / ROSAMOND FREEMAN-ATTWOOD as Press Woman / PHILIP READER as
Press Photographer / JASON JAMES as Albert / GRAHAM CULL as Bob / JONATHAN LACEY
as Bert
4.
GORSE IN THE MIDDLE
Ralph, having married Pamela as a
way out of his financial difficulties is now feeling more trapped than ever,
after having their new house, paid for by Bennett, signed over to him, Ralph
plans to get his wife out of the way and tries a spot of arson for the insurance
money, his wife however has stayed at home after rowing with her parents.
Following Pamela's death the insurance company are none too happy about the
circumstances and refuse to pay out.
With:- GEORGE BAKER as
Harold Bennett / GILLIAN RAINE as Phyllis Bennett / ABIGAIL McKERN as Pamela /
TERENCE HARDIMAN as Sawyer / ANDREW GREENHALGH as Smith / ANDREW BICKNELL as
Archie / JOHN BOTT as Vicar / GORDON SALKILLD as Photographer / ROBERT HARTLEY
as Receptionist / PAMELA LYNE as Milly / JASON JAMES as Albert / GRAHAM CULL as
Bob / MATTHEW DEVITT as Albert
5.
GORSE, THE IMPOSTER
With war having been declared
Gorse is now in the army, however whilst on a 48 hour pass he deserts to
Brighton, he also resorts to murder, an RAF officer whose uniform he pinches,
soon he has another wealthy middle aged woman, Alison Warren, in his sights.
With:- JUDY PARFITT as Alison
Warren / CHRISTOPHER BRAMWELL as Pilot Officer Stokes / LINAL HAFT as Henry /
LEONARD KAVANAGH as George / LLOYD McGUIRE as Sgt Major / IAN COLLIER as Captain
/ GRACE KINIRONS as Mary / JULIAN FOX as Detective / MICHAEL FLEMING as
Receptionist / NEVILLE PHILLIPS as Tailor / PAMELA WARDEL as Waitress / RICHARD
MORGAN as Birdwatcher / SAM HARDING as Pianist
6.
GORSE AT THE END
The body of the man Ralph took
the RAF uniform from is washed up on the beach, its reported that the body is
Ralph. Stimpson and Plumleigh-Bruce head down to Brighton and it looks like the
net is closing in on Ralph. Alison has also realised the truth about Gorse
leaving Ralph once again resorting to murder. Gorse then tries to run but
doesn't get far before the hangman's noose tightens.
With:- JUDY PARFITT as Alison
Warren / DAVYD HARRIES as Det Sgt Hammond / LINAL HAFT as Henry / GRACE KINIRONS
as Mary / JOHN BARCROFT as Defence Counsel / BERNARD BROWN as Prosecuting
Counsel / FRANK DUNCAN as Judge / LEONARD KAVANAGH as George / MICHAEL FLEMING
as Receptionist / JULIAN FOX as Detective / FRANK TREGEAR as Barman / BRENDA
COWLING as Chambermaid / PETER BEVERLY as
Porter
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