Madly In Love (ITV 1972, Richard Beckinsale, Madeline Smith

Comedy drama Madly In Love was broadcast under the Sunday Night Theatre strand of single plays and starring a young Richard Beckinsale as timid, love struck Angus MacFee and his relationship with Mary Todd (played by the gorgeous Madeline Smith, as evidenced by the picture above very much playing to type) who suffers from a complex that makes her obey every command.

The week of broadcast saw the TV Times carry an interview with Smith in which she spoke at length about the fact that producers and directors only wanted her to undress. “At one time I became so fed up with it all that I called a halt to pin-up pictures and attempted to become recognised only as an actress. But everything I do seems to end up with me in a mini-skirt and a tiny, tight top. My resolve doesn’t seem to have worked.”

Production Details
UK / ITV – Anglia (for Sunday Night Theatre) / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast Sunday 2 July 1972 at 10.15pm

Writer: Paul Ableman / Script Editor: John Rosenberg / Production Design: Marilyn Taylor / Director: John Jacobs

cast
Richard Beckinsale as Angus MacFee
Madeline Smith as Mary Todd
Eleanor Summerfield as Mrs Elsie Todd
Michael Bates as Reginald Todd
Stuart Mungall as Dr Gordon MacNair