The Franchise Affair (BBC 1962, Rosalie Crutchley, Michael Aldridge)

The Franchise Affair was a BBC production that ran for 6 episodes from 21 May to 25 June 1962.

Robert Blair, a local lawyer, is hired to defend Marion Sharpe and her mother against charges that they abducted and abused a teenager named Betty Kane. Blair has faith in the Sharpes’ innocence and doubts Betty’s word. However, questions are raised due to Betty’s injuries and detailed descriptions of the Sharpe home. Blair, with the help of his cousin and a flashy barrister, investigates the case as the town turns against the Sharpes. They find something that makes them wonder about Betty’s honesty. Blair, meanwhile, begins to feel attraction towards Marion, who is adamant about maintaining her single status.

Cast

Rosalie Crutchley (Marion Sharpe), Michael Aldridge (Robert Blair), Veronica Turleigh (Mrs Sharpe), Peggy Thorpe-Bates (Mrs Wynn), Gladys Boot (Aunt Lin), Leslie French (Mr Heseltine), Meg Wynn Owen (Betty Kane), Clifford Earl (Detective Inspector Grant), Edward Harvey (Chief Inspector Hallam), Barry Wilsher (Leslie Wynn)

Crew

Dramatised by: Constance Cox / Based on a book by: Josephine Tey / Produced by: George R. Foa / Directed by: Mervyn Pinfield

Production Details

UK / BBC / 6 episodes x 30 minutes / Broadcast 21st May 1962 – 25th June 1962

The Episodes

Episode 1 (21 May 1962)
Guest Cast: Ronald Mayer, Donald Conlon, Nelly Griffiths

Episode 2 (28 May 1962)
Guest Cast: Derek Aylward (Tony Bredon), Jack May (Kevin Macdermott), Ann Tirard, Howard Douglas

Episode 3 (04 June 1962)
Guest Cast: Derek Aylward (Tony Bredon), Anne Sharp, Joan Phillips, Denis Cleary, Judy Child, John Crocker, Dennis Handby, John Barrett, Jennifer Hill, Gladys Spencer, Ronald Ibbs

Episode 4  (11 June 1962)
Guest Cast: Jack May (Kevin Macdermott), Derek Aylward (Tony Bredon), Jennifer Hill, Maria Pope, Ronald Ibbs, Denis Cleary, William Marlowe, Douglas Livingstone, Michael Nightingale

Episode 5  (18 June 1962)
Guest Cast: Jack May (Kevin Macdermott), Derek Aylward (Tony Bredon), Hilda Fenemore, Beatrice Kane, William Marlowe, Hamilton Dyce, Robert Young, Roderick Lovell, Jennifer Hill, Gladys Spencer, Steve Plytas, Michael Earl

Episode 6  (25 June 1962)
Guest Cast: Jack May (Kevin Macdermott), Derek Aylward (Tony Bredon), William Marlowe, Roderick Lovell, Anne Sharp, Hamilton Dyce, Joan Phillips, David Langton, Richard Price, Robert Young, Diana Hope, Humphrey Heathcote