Mrs Amworth (ITV 1978, Glynis Johns, Derek Francis)

In Mrs Amworth, a small village in England is caught up in a virulent epidemic that is believed to be linked to an explosion in the gnat population but a local historian, Mr Urcombe is convinced that there is something more sinister afoot and that the vibrant Mrs Amworth holds the key to the mystery.

Another of those excellent half hour glossy one off productions that proliferated in the mid seventies, this was made for Harlech Television and although Mrs Amworth is clearly the village eccentric it isn’t until the last six or seven minutes that you realise just what is going on and that Mrs Amworth is in fact a vampire holding pretty much the entire village in her thrall. Works suprisingly well given its half hour running time.

production details
UK / ITV Network – HTV – OECA-Toronto – Highgate Associates / 1×30 minutes / Broadcast 15 June 1978

Writer: Hugh Whitemore / Story: E.F. Benson / Music: Arlon Ober, Harry Manfredini / Production Design: Disley Jones / Producer: William Deneen / Director: Alvin Rakoff

cast
GLYNIS JOHNS as Mrs Amworth
DEREK FRANCIS as Benson
JOHN PHILLIPS as Urcombe
PIP MILLER as David
RONALD RUSSELL as Major Pearsall
BETTY TUCKER as Mrs Pearsall
HUBERT TUCKER as Clergyman
REX HOLDSWORTH as Dr Ross
ROGER DAVIDSON as Young Doctor
PAUL HAMSHIRE as Young Policeman