List of Wodehouse Playhouse episodes

Wodehouse Playhouse is a British television comedy series based on the short stories of P. G. Wodehouse. From 1974 to 1978, three series and a pilot were made. The series includes 20 half-hour episodes plus the pilot episode.[1]

Episodes

Series 1

Overall Episode #	Series Episode #	Title	Original airdate
Pilot	Pilot	"The Reverent Wooing of Archibald"	9 June 1974 (1974-06-09)
This episode is believed to be lost.[2] It aired in the anthology series Comedy Playhouse, almost a year before the first Wodehouse Playhouse series.[1] Adapted from "The Reverent Wooing of Archibald" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: William Mervyn as Mr Mulliner, Betty Romaine as Miss Postlethwaite, Julian Holloway as Archibald Mulliner, Madeline Smith as Aurelia Cammerleigh, Julian Fox as Algy Wymondham-Wymondham, Joan Benham as Aunt Cora, and John Leeson as Tuppy Glossop.[3]
1	1	"The Truth About George"	23 April 1975 (1975-04-23)
George Mulliner's terrible stammer prevents him from proposing to his neighbour, Susan Blake. A London specialist advises George to speak to three total strangers each day, singing the words if necessary. This leads George into some embarrassing encounters with fellow train passengers, including 'The Emperor of Abyssinia', an escapee from a mental asylum. But his stammer does vanish and he declares his love to Susan. Adapted from "The Truth About George" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: John Alderton as George Mulliner, Pauline Collins as Susan Blake, Anna Wing as Mrs Barnaby, and Anthony Sharp as the specialist.
2	2	"Romance at Droitgate Spa"	30 April 1975 (1975-04-30)
Freddie Fitch-Fitch wants to marry Annabelle Purvis (aka Princess Alura), assistant to conjuror Mortimer Rackstraw (aka The Great Boloni), but his uncle Sir Aylmer Bastable won't release his trust fund. When Sir Aylmer, a hypochondriac, learns that Annabelle's uncle Joe Boffin (Leslie Dwyer) is also a famous hypochondriac and has even been written up in medical journals, he relents. Adapted from "Romance at Droitgate Spa". Cast: John Alderton as Mortimer Rackstraw, Pauline Collins as Annabel Purvis, Julian Holloway as Freddie Fitch-Fitch, and Raymond Huntley as Sir Aylmer Bastable.
3	3	"Portrait of a Disciplinarian"	7 May 1975 (1975-05-07)
Reginald Mulliner is induced by his brother to take afternoon tea with his childhood nanny (Daphne Heard), now retired. But she has lost none of her ability to frighten him. However, she has also invited Jane Oliphant, his ex-fiancee. Locked together in a cupboard, they make up their differences. Adapted from "Portrait of a Disciplinarian" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: John Alderton as Reginald Mulliner, Pauline Collins as Jane Oliphant, William Gaunt as Dr Joe Mulliner, and Daphne Heard as Nanny Wilks.
4	4	"Unpleasantness at Bludleigh Court"	14 May 1975 (1975-05-14)
Aubrey Bassinger, who writes 'Pastels in Prose' meets Charlotte Mulliner who writes 'Vingettes in Verse'. They fall in love. They visit his ancestral home, Bludleigh Court, but Aubrey's father and the rest of the hunting-mad family cast a malevolent spell on the couple. They find themselves also turning into blood-thirsty hunters and can only recover by escaping to London and marrying. Adapted from "Unpleasantness at Bludleigh Court" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: John Alderton as Aubrey Bassinger, Pauline Collins as Charlotte Mulliner, Ballard Berkeley as Sir Alexander, and John Sharp as Colonel Pashley-Drake.
5	5	"The Rise of Minna Nordstrom"	21 May 1975 (1975-05-21)
In 1920s Hollywood, everyone wants to get into films, including Vera Prebble, a parlour maid. She is fired in succession by producers Jacob Schnellenhammer, Isadore Q Fishbein, and Ben Zizzbaum. In revenge, she blackmails them by threatening to tell police that they are storing and drinking alcohol on their premises during Prohibition. They buy her off by making her a silent film star under the name of Minna Nordstrom. Adapted from "The Rise of Minna Nordstrom" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: John Alderton as Jacob J. Schnellenhamer, Pauline Collins as Minna Nordstrom, Sydney Tafler as Isadore Q. Fishbein, and Peter Jones as Ben F. Zizzbaum.
6	6	"Rodney Fails to Qualify"	28 May 1975 (1975-05-28)
William Bates and Jill Packard, both avid golfers, have loved each other for years, but William's too shy to propose. The Oldest Member at the golf club takes matters in hand, but then Jill falls for dreamy poetry-quoting Rodney Spelvin. Whilst Jill is playing in the Ladies Cup, he admits that he hates golf. She is so shocked that she and William finally get together. Adapted from "Rodney Fails to Qualify" (Oldest Member golf story). Cast: John Alderton as William Bates, Pauline Collins as Jill Packard, William Mervyn as the Oldest Member, and Geoffrey Whitehead as Rodney Spelvin.
7	7	"A Voice From the Past"	4 June 1975 (1975-06-04)
Muriel Branksome and Sacheverell Mulliner are engaged, but Mulliner can't stand up to his fierce future father-in-law. He enrols in a correspondence course to gain Self-Confidence. Unfortunately, it works too well, turns him into an overpowering bully and the engagement is off. Mulliner tries to win Muriel back, but then meets his old Headmaster, now a bishop, who still frightens him. Adapted from "The Voice from the Past" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: Pauline Collins as Muriel Branksome, John Alderton as Sacheverell Mulliner, John Phillips as Sir Redvers Branksome, and Cyril Luckham as the Bishop of Bognor.

Series 2

Overall Episode #	Series Episode #	Title	Original airdate
8	1	"Anselm Gets His Chance"	26 March 1976 (1976-03-26)
Rev. Anselm Mulliner and Myrtle Jellaby want to marry, but can't afford it on a curate's meagre stipend. Then Anselm inherits an allegedly valuable stamp album, but Myrtle's uncle Sir Leopold, realising its worth, offers him only ten pounds for it. When Rev. Gooch is indisposed, Anselm has the opportunity to give the evensong sermon of his life, on the subject of 'brotherly love'. Sir Leopold is so moved that he offers Anselm ten thousand pounds for the album. Adapted from "Anselm Gets His Chance" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: John Alderton as Rev. Anselm Mulliner, Pauline Collins as Myrtle Jellaby, Thorley Walters as Sir Leopold Jellaby, and Desmond Llewellyn as Rev. Sidney Gooch.
9	2	"Mr. Potter Takes a Rest Cure"	2 April 1976 (1976-04-02)
Long-winded politician Clifford Gandle wants to marry Bobbie Wickham. She isn't keen, but Lady Wickham insists on the match. Bobbie, a mischief-maker, persuades visiting American publisher Mr Potter that Gandle is prone to attacks of homicidal mania She also convinces Gandle that Mr Potter is contemplating suicide. In the ensuing chaos, the proposed match comes to nothing. Adapted from "Mr Potter Takes a Rest Cure" (Bobbie Wickham story). Cast: John Alderton as Clifford Gandle, Pauline Collins as Bobbie Wickham, Alan MacNaughtan as J. H. Potter, Margaret Courtenay as Lady Wickham, and Timothy Carlton as Algy Crufts.
10	3	"Strychnine in the Soup"	9 April 1976 (1976-04-09)
Cyril Mulliner, an interior decorator with a passion for mystery stories, is in love with Amelia Bassett, a fellow devotee. Lady Bassett objects, preferring Lester Mapledurham ("pronounced 'Mum'"), a well-known big game hunter and explorer, as a son-in-law. Thanks to a copy of the new 'Inspector Mould' mystery, Strychnine in the Soup. Lester is scratched from the marriage race and Cyril wins Amelia. Adapted from "Strychnine in the Soup" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: John Alderton as Cyril Mulliner, Pauline Collins as Amelia Bassett, Joan Sanderson as Lady Bassett, and Ben Aris as Lester Mapledurham.
11	4	"Feet of Clay"	23 April 1976 (1976-04-23)
Sydney McMurdo and Agnes Flack, both avid golfers, are engaged, but her head is turned by dashing and boastful Captain Jack Fosdyke and she becomes engaged to him instead. Sydney, at a loose end, becomes engaged to Cora McGuffy Spottsworth, a flamboyant writer and mystic who believes that they knew each other in a previous life. Cora and Agnes compete in the Women's Championship. With one hole to go and all square, a Pekinese dog runs off with the ball Agnes is about to play. Jack urges Agnes to concede the match, Agnes is appalled at the suggestion and their engagement is off. Agnes and Sydney get together again, and Jack, now exposed as a fake, finds solace with Lulubelle Sprockett, an air-headed blonde American heiress. Adapted from "Feet of Clay" (Oldest Member golf story). Cast: Pauline Collins as Agnes Flack, John Alderton as Jack Fosdyke, Simon Williams as Sidney McMurdo, and Cyd Hayman as Cora McGuffy Spottsworth.
12	5	"The Nodder"	30 April 1976 (1976-04-30)
Wilmot Mulliner is a lowly 'nodder' in a Hollywood studio whose sole job is to agree to the pronouncements of producer I Q Fishbein. Wilmot falls for Fishbein's secretary Mabel Ridgeway, but she won't marry him unless he proves himself worthy. After apparently bravely tackling a violent gorilla (actually an actor in disguise), he does proves worthy of Muriel's attention. Mabel, a former vaudeville birdcall-imitator, has a dispute with Fishbein over the proper manner of imitating a cuckoo for a film (cuckoo-cuckoo v wuckoo-wuckoo). Wilmot finds the courage to defy his boss and defend Mabel. Adapted from "The Nodder" and "Monkey Business" (both Mr Mulliner stories), Cast: John Alderton as Wilmot Mulliner, Pauline Collins as Mabel Ridgway, Sydney Tafler as I. Q. Fishbein, David Healy as L. O. Levitsky, and Jonathan Cecil as King Boola.
13	6	"The Code of the Mulliners"	7 May 1976 (1976-05-07)
Archibald Mulliner, whose sole claim to fame is that he can imitate a hen laying an egg, believes that his mother is developing insanity. Thinking that insanity can be inherited, he decides to break his engagement to Aurelia Cammerleigh, but the Code of the Mulliners will not allow him to take this step. On Tuppy Glossop's advice, he hires an actress, Yvonne Maltravers, to confront the couple at the Savoy Grill in the role of a Woman from his Past. In the midst of the scene, Lady Mulliner turns up, revealing that her odd behaviour is really a cure for a double chin. She also recognises Yvonne. Archibald quickly concocts the story that Yvonne is seeking his assistance to land a part for producer Charles B. Cochran. Adapted from "The Code of the Mulliners" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: John Alderton as Archibald Mulliner, Pauline Collins as Yvonne Maltravers, Gabrielle Drake as Aurelia Cammerleigh, Walter Gotell as Sir Rackstraw Cammerleigh, David Quilter as Tuppy Glossop, and Daphne Oxenford as Lady Cammerleigh.

Series 3

Overall Episode #	Series Episode #	Title	Original airdate
14	1	"The Smile That Wins"	31 October 1978 (1978-10-31)
In the course of returning a lost dog, Adrian Mulliner, a private detective, falls in love with Lady Millicent Shipton-Bellinger, the daughter of the Earl of Brangbolton. His lowly social status and equally lowly financial status does not allow them to marry, and the Earl insists that Millicent must marry Sir Jasper Addleton, the financier. Adrian regularly suffers from dyspepsia, and a doctor advises him that the best cure for dyspepsia is to smile (which he hasn't attempted since the age of twelve). At a wedding reception, where Adrian is assigned to keep an eye on potentially thieving guests, his odd smile is interpreted as saying 'I know all', and causes a nervousness amongst people with something to hide. A guest helping himself to a fish slice is his first victim and Adrian finds himself invited to the Baronet's country home. The next guilty party is Addleton who, believing that Mulliner knows of his dirty dealings, hands him a cheque for a hundred thousand pounds and agrees to leave the country. Adrian gets the Earl's blessing to marry Millicent. Adapted from "The Smile that Wins" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: John Alderton as Adrian Mulliner, Judy Buxton as Lady Millicent Shipton-Bellinger, Robert Dorning as Lord Brangbolton, Arthur Cox as Sir Jasper Addleton, and Anthony Sharp as the specialist.
15	2	"Trouble down at Tudsleigh"	7 November 1978 (1978-11-07)
Visiting Tudsleigh Court, Freddie Widgeon falls in love with April Carroway. He even starts reading Tennyson's poetry, which she admires – especially 'The Lady of Shallot'. Captain Bradbury, on leave from India, also admires April, and makes it clear what will happen if Freddie doesn't clear out. Nevertheless, Freddie invites April for a row on the river. She fails to turn up and he's stuck with her prankish young sister Prudence instead. Prudence vanishes and appears to have drowned in the river. In an attempt to find her, Freddie plunges into the river to find her, steals a car, breaks into Bradbury's cottage, and gets the heave-ho from April for his trouble. Adapted from "Trouble Down at Tudsleigh" (Drones Club story). Cast: John Alderton as Freddie Widgeon, Anna Fox as April Carroway, Tony Mathews as Captain Bradbury, and Bernadette Windsor as Prudence Carroway.
16	3	"Tangled Hearts"	14 November 1978 (1978-11-14)
Smallwood Bessemer, indefatigable know-it-all and golf club bore (although he doesn't actually play golf), and Carter Muldoon, are both dumped by their fiancées. The Oldest Member tries fruitlessly to reconcile them, and the two men eventually become engaged to their opposite former girls. Bessemer learns to play golf (as he thinks) and the two couples play a match. It's a disaster, and the original couples get back together. Adapted from "Tangled Hearts" (Oldest Member golf story). Cast: John Alderton as Smallwood Bessemer, Richard Caldicot as Angus McWhirter, David Troughton as Carter Muldoon, Sue Nicholls as Esme Rampling, Sally Thomsett as Celia Todd, and Laura Prebble as Julia Collins.
17	4	"The Luck of the Stiffhams"	21 November 1978 (1978-11-21)
Adolphus (Stiffy) Stiffham, secretary to the Earl of Wivelscombe, wants to marry his daughter Lady Geraldine Spettisbury, but is dismissed for his trouble. He leaves for America (not knowing that the Wall Street Crash has just occurred), hoping to make his fortune. At his hotel, the bellboy gets him involved in an illegal craps game. Innocently betting against a hardened crew of players, he makes $120,000, and banks it. Next day, thinking that the bank has gone bust, he writes a suicide note to Geraldine, but then learns that the money is safe. He returns home to claim Geraldine. She still loves him, but the Earl thinks that he really has committed suicide, and what he sees is really Stiffy's ghost. The Earl is thoroughly frightened that he will be haunted. With the connivance of the butler, the Earl gives his consent to the marriage. Adapted from "The Luck of the Stiffhams" (Drones Club story). Cast: John Alderton as Adolphus "Stiffy" Stiffham, Leslie Sands as the Earl of Wivelscome, Liza Goddard as Lady Geraldine Spettisbury, and John Rudling as the butler.
18	5	"The Editor Regrets"	28 November 1978 (1978-11-28)
Bingo Little, now married to Rosie M Banks, is editor of the magazine 'Wee Tots' owned by Mr Purkis. He loses his job when he inadvertently gives the air to visiting American author of children's stories, Bella Mae Jobson, who was about to sign a contract with Purkis. Meeting Bella later at a party, he enlists Tuppy Glossop's assistance (and money), to 'give her the old oil'. Bella eventually agrees a contract with the magazine. Bingo extricates Purkis from a potentially compromising situation, and gets his job back. Adapted from "The Editor Regrets" (Drones Club story). Cast: John Alderton as Bingo Little, Susan Jameson as Bella Mae Jobson, Bernard Archard as Purkiss, David Quilter as Tuppy Glossop, Jane Cussons as Rosie Little, and William Hayland as Stilton Cheesewright.
19	6	"Big Business"	5 December 1978 (1978-12-05)
Reginald Mulliner and Amanda Biffen want to marry, and when Mulliner inherits £50,000, it seems the ideal opportunity. Mulliner is induced to use the money to buy a block of worthless oil shares (Smelly River Ordinaries) by Amanda's rascally guardian, Sir Jethro Mott, and Amanda 'gives him the raspberry'. Mulliner is due to perform 'Ol' Man River' that night at a church social, and with no fiancée and no money, his emotions take over and he gives it all he's got, to great applause. Thus encouraged, he goes back to have it out with Sir Jethro. Amanda, who was in the audience, also comes back to apologise to Mulliner. With the assistance of a not-too-bright policeman, they get Sir Jethro to buy back the shares, with a profit to Mulliner. Adapted from "Big Business" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: John Alderton as Reginald Mulliner, Maggie Henderson as Amanda Biffen, Derek Francis as Sir Jethro Mott, and Norman Mitchell as P. C. Popjoy.
20	7	"Mulliner's Buck-U-Uppo"	12 December 1978 (1978-12-12)
Rev. Augustine Mulliner, a meek young curate, is in love with Jane Brandon, but they are opposed by her father, the vicar. Augustine's Aunt Agatha sends him a bottle of a tonic, Buck-U-Uppo, which her husband is developing. Mulliner takes a tablespoonful. He immediately acquires more confidence and assertiveness as well as greater physical strength. Thus fortified, he rescues a visiting bishop from a fierce dog, and firmly ends a quarrel between the bishop and the vicar, who have hated each other since school. He receives the vicar's thanks and a promotion to vicar in a nearby parish. But then Mulliner learns that the tonic he drank was not the one meant for human consumption – it's really meant for increasing the courage of elephants in India. Augustine promptly orders three cases of the tonic. Adapted from "Mulliner's Buck-U-Uppo" (Mr Mulliner story). Cast: John Alderton as Augustine Mulliner, Cyril Luckham as the Bishop, John Barron as Rev. Stanley Brandon, Avis Bunnage as Mrs Wardle, Belinda Carroll as Jane Brandon, and Beatrix Mackey as the Lady Bishopess.

References

Notes

1. Taves (2006), pp. 182–187.
2. Wodehouse Playhouse, lostshows.com
3. "Comedy Playhouse presents: The Reverent Wooing of Archibald". BBC Genome. BBC. 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.

Sources

• Taves, Brian (2006). P. G. Wodehouse and Hollywood: Screenwriting, Satires and Adaptations. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0786422883.

External links

• Wodehouse Playhouse – list of episodes on IMDb
• List of Wodehouse Playhouse episodes at TV.com