In Doll On A Wall David is perturbed when Hilary goes away without warning, more so when a fellow solicitor turns up claiming that the buyer of Hilary’s two florist shops is going to be sue because they believe the value was artificially inflated.
Hilary meanwhile has fled to Amsterdam in search of herself, she knows that marriage to David is very much on the cards and is feeling under pressure. She seeks (platonic) companionship with a young man called Tony, a situation David is none too impressed about when he too turns up in Amsterdam. Events take another turn when Tony is found dead.
As always one of the things that makes The Main Chance such superior drama is the dialogue and writer Ray Jenkins turns in an excellent wordy and intelligent script here.
This was the second episode of the season (Widows Mite was the earlier episode) to incorporate location filming abroad. Location filming for this one actually took place before the Switzerland trip despite appearing later in the season.
classic quote
“Hilary, I don’t drink at public fountains.” – David’s reaction after discovering Hilary has been spending time with Tony.
production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 2 August 1972 at 9.00pm
Writer: Ray Jenkins / Production Design: Alan Pickford / Director: John Frankau
Series: The Main Chance Season 3 Episode 9
cast
John Stride as David Main
Estelle Kohler as Hilary Nash
Margaret Ashcroft as Margaret Castleton
Glynn Edwards as Walter Clegg
Anna Palk as Sarah Radchester
Scott Antony as Tony Ferman
Frederick Treves as Stanton
Candace Glendenning as Denny Ferman
Benedicta Leigh as Mrs Gadley
Patrick Jordan as Inspector Bertram
