Hadleigh: God Save Us From Moralists (ITV 12 Mar 1976, with Anthony Corlan)

In God Save Us From Moralists James, after his attempt to take a larger shareholding in a merchant bank has gone awry, is on the verge of bankruptcy. If he doesn’t raise a serious amount of money before the end of the year he could well lose Melford. Maybe an offer from the philanthropic Sir Frank Pierce, who has plans to build a massive marina but needs help from the Merchant Bank to finance it. It seems a sound plan but Charlie Caldwell thinks James should stay well away from Pierce.

Joanna is currently staying at Melford waiting for her married boyfriend Bill, who is in Washington to tell his wife he is leaving her, however Joanna is shook up when she gets a letter to say Bill is moving back to London and giving his marriage another shot. She is concerned that with Jennifer away it may not look the best for James (an idea put forward by the always interfering Lady Helen). He tells her that is just poppycock and promptly gives her a job as his secretary.

In these first couple of episodes at least there seems to be a definite move away from Melford to business in London.

Hadleigh managed to snag the TV Times cover coinciding with this episode, there was also a small feature on the different women who would cross paths with him in this fourth season. The main focus though was on Nancy Kwan, The World of Suzie Wong actress, who would appear in episode 8 Hong Kong Rock.

Incidentally the excellently voiced Anthony Corlan, who appeared a few times this fourth season, is better known as Anthony Higgins (in fact Hadleigh was the last time he appeared as Corlan), he is best known for The Eagle of the Ninth and The Draughtman’s Contract. Hadleigh has dinner with financial whizkid Gregory Baker played by Anthony Corlan, better known as Anthony Higgins.

production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Friday 12 March 1976 at 9.00pm

Writer: David Ambrose / Production Design: Mary Rea / Director: Derek Bennett

Series: Hadleigh Season 4 Episode 2

cast
Gerald Harper as James Hadleigh
Jenny Twigge as Joanna Roberts
Peter Dennis as Sutton
Mark Dignam as Sir Frank Pierce
Gerald James as Charlie Caldwell
Ambrosine Phillpotts as Lady Helen
Frances Cox as Lady
Richard Vernon as Sir Geoffrey Osborne
Barbara Olgilvie as Lady Betty Pierce
Anthony Corlan as Gregory Baker
Michael Malnick as Robert
Brian Badcoe as Tim Grant
Brian Hawksley as Gerry
Steve Kane as Photographer