Hadleigh: The Dinner Party (ITV 9 Dec 1969, with Penelope Keith)

In The Dinner Party James is throwing a dinner party as part of a bid to persuade the wealthy Colonel Davie and his wife to agree to sell their manor house to a trust that wants to start a rehabilitation centre for young offenders. Meanwhile, Susan is expected to play hostess, she is otherwise occupied with thoughts of a job offer on a London paper.

Unfortunately Susan and Mrs Davie do not get on but eventually Sue is able to bring Mrs Davey around to her way of thinking. Especially when James’ Aunt Helen puts forward the idea that Mrs Davey could be chairman of the committee to get the centre built. Penelope Keith plays dinner party guest Angela Frampton.

A fine end to the first season, Susan is very worried about feeling out of her depth and once again is having major second thoughts about marriage to James. If the offer is a good one she will accept it. James knows that if she goes that’s the end of their relationship – and so does Susan.

When Susan leaves Hadleigh at the end of the evening they both know it over. Hadleigh, being Hadleigh, doesn’t try too hard to make her stay though. It has to be said that their relationship never quite rang true though.

Penelope Keith has a key role as one of the guests at the dinner party. The look that says it’s over…

production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 9 December 1969

Writer: Alfred Shaughnessy / Idea: Kay Dick / Production Design: Stanley Morris / Director: Brian Parker

Series: Hadleigh Season 1 Episode 13

cast
Gerald Harper as James Hadleigh
Gillian Wray as Susan Jackson
Ambrosine Phillpotts as Lady Helen Hadleigh
Joan Newell as Mrs Davie
John Scott as Colonel Davie
Penelope Keith as Angela Frampton
Guy Slater as Ian Pembroke
Brian Badcoe as Dr Shaw
Margery Mason as Mrs Jackson
Alastair Hunter as Maxwell