UK / ITV – Granada / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast 30 November 1985
Writer: Fay Weldon / Costumes: Kayt Turner / Music: Paul Lewis / Production Design: Michael Grimes / Director: David Carson
Series: Time For Murder / Episode 4 of 6
Well known writer Avon Eve checks into a health spa for a week’s rest and recuperation but instead meets the very highly strung Masseuse Sonia, who tells her she is planning to murder two of the other guests for sins committed years previously.
Part of the Time For Murder anthology series, Bright Smiler is somewhat on the strange side, Jane Asher looks particularly odd under all her make up as Sonia. Much of it is a two hander between Asher and Suzman apart from some flashbacks to why Sonia is ready to commit murder. Quite an unsettling atmosphere throughout.
cast
JANET SUZMAN as Avon Eve
JANE ASHER as Sonia
ALISON SKILBECK as Sara
JEREMY NICHOLAS as Sir Jonathan Sibley
JACKIE SMITH-WOOD as Lady Tania Sibley
EMMA WATSON as Maria
RENEE ASHERSON as Helen, Lady Sibley
