A very hard hitting opening to A Mug Like Me sees Susan and young daughter Barbara involved in a terrible road accident, made all the more heartbreaking by being seen from Barbara’s point of view as she lay trapped in the upturned car. For the first time we actually get to see a different side to Joe, work is pushed aside and his sole concern is the well being of his child and wife.
Surprisingly young Barbara doesn’t recover from her injuries and dies in hospital. It’s a real turning point in the series Joe is naturally distraught, Susan even more. They both blame themselves. Joe wanted Susan to rush home and Susan wanted to rush home to him but it makes Joe realise that the work he has been doing is essentially worthless and tells his employees to stuff their job!
production details
UK | ITV Network – Thames
RUNNING TIME: 60 minutes | AIRDATE: 3 July 1972
WRITERS: Roy Bottomley, Tom Brennand | DIRECTOR: Don Leaver
Man At The Top Season Two Episode Five
cast
KENNETH HAIGH as Joe Lampton
ZENA WALKER as Susan
PAUL EDDINGTON as Clive Kempson
JANET KEY as Dr Helen Reid
GEORGE SEWELL as Webster
PAUL HARDWICK as Abe Brown
AVICE LANDON as Mrs Brown
ROBERT RUSSELL as Lorry Driver
PAMELA SALEM as Jane Wilson
ARTHUR WHITE as Frank Barnes
PAMELA SCOTCHER as Maxine
JULIA BRECK as Mrs Walker
MALCOLM TERRIS as Police Sergeant
TIM HARDY as Soho Policeman
MARGARET ANDERSON as Nurse
CYMA FELDWICK as Barbara Lampton
JEAN McFARLANE as Mrs Kempson
