- 1 year ago
The Franchise Affair: A Classic Tale Revived on Screen
The Franchise Affair, a gripping television series, has captured the attention of audiences with its thrilling narrative and complex characters. Based on the 1948 novel by Josephine Tey, the story has been adapted several times, most notably in a TV production in 1962 and again in 1988. The plot centers around a schoolgirl's claim of being kidnapped and forced into servitude by two women at a mysterious mansion known as 'The Franchise'. The ensuing investigation and trial peel back the layers of truth and deception, challenging the viewer's perception of innocence and guilt.
The 1988 adaptation, is particularly memorable for its atmospheric setting and strong performances. Patrick Malahide, Joanna McCallum, and Rosalie Crutchley brought depth to their characters, creating a compelling drama that resonates with audiences even today. The series' ability to maintain suspense and provide a nuanced look at the British legal system of the time is a testament to the quality of the source material and the skill of the filmmakers.
The Franchise Affair stands as a classic example of how literature can be effectively translated to the screen, preserving the essence of the original work while exploring the visual and dramatic possibilities of television storytelling. For those who appreciate a well-crafted mystery that delves into the complexities of human nature, The Franchise Affair is a series that continues to intrigue and entertain viewers across generations.
The Franchise Affair, a gripping television series, has captured the attention of audiences with its thrilling narrative and complex characters. Based on the 1948 novel by Josephine Tey, the story has been adapted several times, most notably in a TV production in 1962 and again in 1988. The plot centers around a schoolgirl's claim of being kidnapped and forced into servitude by two women at a mysterious mansion known as 'The Franchise'. The ensuing investigation and trial peel back the layers of truth and deception, challenging the viewer's perception of innocence and guilt.
The 1988 adaptation, is particularly memorable for its atmospheric setting and strong performances. Patrick Malahide, Joanna McCallum, and Rosalie Crutchley brought depth to their characters, creating a compelling drama that resonates with audiences even today. The series' ability to maintain suspense and provide a nuanced look at the British legal system of the time is a testament to the quality of the source material and the skill of the filmmakers.
The Franchise Affair stands as a classic example of how literature can be effectively translated to the screen, preserving the essence of the original work while exploring the visual and dramatic possibilities of television storytelling. For those who appreciate a well-crafted mystery that delves into the complexities of human nature, The Franchise Affair is a series that continues to intrigue and entertain viewers across generations.
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00🎵
00:28🎵
00:51Miss Sharp.
00:54You see my position.
00:56You say you've never set eyes on Elizabeth Kane before this afternoon.
01:00Yet she's not only described this house in which she says she was kept prisoner,
01:04but she's also described you and your mother in great detail.
01:07Now, if she isn't telling the truth, can you think of any explanation?
01:12No.
01:13I take it you've investigated this girl before accepting so much of her story.
01:17Yes, Mr Blair, the police have made a very thorough investigation.
01:21By all accounts, she has an excellent record.
01:24A quiet girl, popular at school, and a settled home life with the family who took her in during the war.
01:29What have they got to say about all this?
01:31Considering they look upon the child as their own now, they've taken the whole distressing business rather well.
01:36And all that remains is for me to take the whole distressing business with the same admirable detachment.
01:41Could we please get this over with, Inspector?
01:44Yes, of course.
01:45Howard, would you wait down here with Mrs Scott, please?
01:48I don't think it's necessary for us all to go upstairs.
01:50Oh, you are?
01:52Miss Sharp?
01:53Perhaps you'd lead the way.
01:55You'll remember, Mr Blair, that Miss Kane said she was dragged up a first flight of stairs that were carpeted.
02:23and a second flight with something hard underfoot.
02:31they were in there on top of a big trunk.
02:34those suitcases have been lying exactly where you see them since we moved into the house 18 months ago.
02:40and they'd never been in there? no never.
02:43I remember that round one.
02:54that window has always been cracked like that.
03:04was there any heating in here Elizabeth?
03:07I seem to remember it rather cold in April. colder since 1881.
03:11they gave me some blankets from the trunk. and where was the trunk?
03:16here with all those cases on top. the bed was over there.
03:23there was a bed there. I got rid of it. you sold it?
03:28I gave it to the woman we get our dairy stuff from. Staples farm.
03:32I see and when was that Miss Sharpe? about a year ago.
03:35I don't remember precisely.
03:37there was a sort of chair thing too by the bed. a chair thing? with a lid.
03:42I think she means a commode inspector. ah.
03:53oh
04:05boys own stuff. thank you mr. Blair. you've saved me the trouble.
04:10miss Kane can you remember what this trunk looked like?
04:14square with leather straps and a sort of tray thing inside.
04:17I acknowledge that we have such a trunk. my mother has it in her bedroom.
04:21she uses it to store things in but it has never been up here.
04:24thank you miss Sharpe. I'm sure there's no need to trouble your mother again this afternoon.
04:29now shall we go down to the kitchen?
04:31now in her statement miss Kane said we went into a large kitchen with a stone
04:52floor and one of those rows of bells. the curtains were a greenie pattern.
05:01the pan she heated the milk in was blue. it had a lot of chips off around the
05:06bottom. take your pick. I doubt if there's a kitchen in England that hasn't got
05:11pans like these.
05:22one of the wheels was painted a lighter color from the others and didn't look as
05:26if it belonged. the different wheel was in front on my side as it was standing
05:31at the bus stop. I ask you again miss Sharpe how could she have known about
05:41the franchise at all? so much about it or you if she'd never been here before. I
05:46haven't the least idea. my men made a thorough search of the district miss
05:50Sharpe. there's no other house between lava and Milford that fits the girl's
05:54description. it seems such an unlikely place to pick on doesn't it? a remote
05:58house on a lonely road barely visible behind that wall. what do you make of it
06:03mr. Blair? oh piece of sensationalism by an unbalanced adolescent. oh come now
06:09she's hardly sensational. look at her. transparently truthful was the phrase
06:13her foremistress used. she's just an ordinary well-spoken of young girl who's
06:17never been in any kind of trouble in school or out of it. I'll be able to get
06:24you on the telephone if I need to talk to you again. we have no intention of
06:28going anywhere inspector. you've been very helpful in Curtis. mr. Blair?
06:50I've left my briefcase inside.
06:58you do realize don't you that the girl has an enormous advantage of you. in the
07:08matter of evidence I mean. she's free to describe almost anything she likes as
07:13part of your household. if she happens to be right it's strong evidence for her. if
07:17however she's wrong it's not evidence for you. the way she was wrong about the
07:22color of the kitchen curtains. she could simply say that you changed them.
07:28what happens now? I very much doubt if Grant has a case that he'd want to
07:35present in court. it's the girl's word against yours with no other backing on
07:39either side. I don't think he could hope to get a verdict. but her statement's so
07:44detailed. suppose he does bring it to court. it means my mother and I will be
07:55facing a criminal charge. whatever happens I think we'd better wait for a
07:58couple of days to see what Grant means to do. he has much better facilities for
08:01arriving at the truth than I do. coming from a lawyer mr. Blair that's a
08:06touching tribute to the honesty of the police. it doesn't pay them to be
08:11satisfied with anything less than the truth miss Sharpe.
08:21do you believe that girl's story? look here I'm awfully sorry. it's it's
08:27criminal law you see. I'm just a country solicitor. if you'd only explained on the
08:33telephone what the trouble was I could have told you right away. I'd be much better
08:36off with somebody who's used to police cases. my firm simply isn't equipped to
08:40deal with this sort of thing. honestly feel that Sharpe would be much wiser. do you know what I
08:45honestly feel mr. Blair? I feel like someone drowning in a river. all I need
08:49is someone to give me a hand but you're just standing there making excuses.
08:57I'm sorry.
09:27aunt Lynn. you met those new people at the franchises? no I've seen them of
09:46course. very odd. why do you say that? why do you ask? I had a go out there this
09:53afternoon. they wanted some legal advice. I hope they pay you for it. I'm told
09:57they're as poor as church mice. rich enough to buy the biggest property for
10:01miles. no dear no it was left to them by old mr. Meredith. he was mr. Sharpe's
10:06brother. you do know something about them then. not the one to pass on idle
10:11gossip Robert. I've seen them as I said in Milford. but I believe they do most of
10:16their shopping in Ham Green. so they're not part of the social scene yet. I don't
10:21think they ever will be. they have an odd air of being self-sufficient. yes they do
10:28don't they? I must have driven past that house a thousand times. I don't think I've
10:32actually seen it until today. it's very isolated. I expect they have a problem
10:37with servants.
10:51oh
10:53♪
11:12Oh.
11:14And this?
11:16♪
11:18What are you all fretting about?
11:20It's not anxious to take it on, Neville.
11:22Why?
11:23Since when in this ivory tower has anybody been on calling terms with Scotland Yard?
11:27It seems to me you made your reluctance pretty plain to Miss, uh, what's her name yesterday?
11:31Miss Sharpe.
11:33Good morning, Mr. Robert.
11:34Morning, Timmy.
11:38Tea, toffee, I'm parched.
11:43You really are a very odd man, Robert.
11:45Only yesterday you were moaning about how dull your life is.
11:48Now when something a little out of the ordinary drops in your lap, you run like hell in the opposite direction.
11:53I just don't know why John Hallam recommended me.
11:55Ill-judged philanthropy?
11:57He knows I'm not a criminal lawyer.
11:59Oh, perhaps he thought these people needed a friend.
12:01Someone to stand by them and tell them what they didn't need to answer if they didn't want to.
12:05You don't need a training in crime for that.
12:08Even if he did recommend you, it doesn't put you under any obligation.
12:11Just by being there, I've identified myself with their interests.
12:14A skinny spinster of 40, living with a rude old mother in an ugly house,
12:19who wants legal advice for which she probably can't pay.
12:23I never said she was skinny.
12:25From what you've told me, they sound as guilty as sin.
12:27Quite frankly, they terrify me.
12:29Please get off my desk!
12:31Why not edge them off onto Ben Carley?
12:33If they've done something they want to get away with, he's God's gift.
12:36Carley could bail the devil out of hell.
12:44Hello.
12:55Hello, Carley.
12:56Mildred.
12:57Afternoon, Blair.
12:58Bobby, darling, haven't seen you for simply ages.
13:01Where have you been hiding?
13:03You do know Anita Kenton, don't you?
13:05Oh, of course you do.
13:06Anita from Ham Green.
13:07Hello.
13:08The most eligible bachelor in Milford, darling.
13:11Quite a dark horse, I'd say.
13:13I hear you were down at the Franchise the other day.
13:15The Franchise? Really?
13:17Won't you guess the telephone round here is about as private as the wireless.
13:21As a matter of fact, it was La Pina here who saw you leaving the place.
13:24Yes, police cars too, darling.
13:26Quite a surprise.
13:28I take it the shafts haven't been shoplifting, have they?
13:32They haven't been shoplifting.
13:34Do tell. It's the rumour true.
13:36It's the old girl, a witch.
13:38She's supposed to be a strong local supporter, I believe.
13:42I rather thought witch-hunting had gone out of fashion.
13:44Oh, don't you believe it.
13:45Give those inbred crowd of degenerates a good excuse for the witch-hop at the best of them.
13:49Seriously, can't you imagine those Franchise women being burnt at the stake?
13:53Fanatic's faces, if ever I saw them.
13:56Well, if you'll excuse me.
13:57Nice to meet you, Miss Kenton.
13:59Be seeing you.
14:00TTFN?
14:01Bye-bye, Bobby, darling. Come and see us soon.
14:04Thanks.
14:07So much for an unprejudiced jury.
14:09Hmm?
14:12What time are you going to see Wynyard this afternoon?
14:15Three.
14:17Make a detour, will you?
14:19I'd like you to drop in a note to the Franchise.
14:21Well, why not ring?
14:23You've changed your mind about representing them.
14:26I can't just abandon them to someone like Carly.
14:29All right.
14:30Always wanted to see what it was like inside those walls.
14:33There's a letterbox by the gate. No need to go in.
14:35Bye-bye.
14:37Bye.
14:38Bye.
14:39Bye.
14:42Bye.
15:04Come and sit down, love.
15:06What's the matter?
15:08Inspector Grant has something he wants to tell you.
15:11We've decided not to proceed with the case, Betty.
15:14Why?
15:15I'm afraid we lack corroborative evidence.
15:17What does that mean?
15:18I'll tell you what it means.
15:20It means they're not going to prosecute those bitches.
15:22It means that at the moment it's simply your word against theirs.
15:26We need more evidence, stronger evidence, before we can proceed.
15:42It's not right.
15:44None of it.
15:46They think I made it all up.
15:49It's not like that, love.
15:51It's wrong, Mum.
15:53Someone's got to put it right.
15:55They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it.
15:57There's no point getting worked up.
15:59There's nothing we can do.
16:01Isn't there?
16:03Leslie.
16:04I know someone who'll listen.
16:06Leslie.
16:07No, no, no, no.
16:09I know someone who'll listen.
16:10Leslie.
16:11No one's going to beat my sister and get away with it.
16:14Leslie.
16:15Leslie, please listen to me.
16:24The whole thing's a bloody liberty, Mum.
16:40Thank you, Miss Tuff.
16:44The letters, Mr Robert.
16:47I'll see to them now.
16:49Why didn't you tell me she was like that?
16:53Knock next time, please.
16:55That could have been a client.
16:56She's amazing, Robert.
16:58Who is?
16:59The sharp woman, of course.
17:00All you had to do was to drop a note to the letterbox.
17:02She met me at the gate.
17:04I was under the impression she's sleeping.
17:07You seem to have become remarkably intimate for a doorstep acquaintance.
17:10We had tea together.
17:13I thought you were on your way to see Wynyard.
17:15Well, I'll see him on Monday.
17:17You mean you've been at the franchise all afternoon?
17:19Yes, I suppose I have, yes.
17:21Did you telephone Mr Wynyard and explain why you weren't coming?
17:25Sorry.
17:26Do it now, will you?
17:27It was a bit of a surprise.
17:29I'm sorry.
17:30It's all right.
17:31It's all right.
17:32It's all right.
17:33It's all right.
17:34Do it now, will you?
17:35It's a bit late, isn't it?
17:36Just do it, Neville.
17:38Please make your apologies pretty bloody abject.
17:40All right, all right.
17:42It's about time you stopped behaving like an undergraduate.
17:45Admit it, though.
17:46You're as stunned by that woman as I am.
17:49Oh, get out.
17:50I've got work to do.
18:05I smell the car.
18:07Are you a regular?
18:09Nope.
18:10Trouble?
18:11Take a look at it, would you, Stan?
18:13It just doesn't sound right.
18:18You take my tip?
18:20About what?
18:21Hack Emma, your Irish filly.
18:23Oh, tell me.
18:25You forgot.
18:26Sorry.
18:27It's gone on my mind now.
18:29It's all right.
18:30It's all right.
18:31It's all right.
18:33It's gone on my mind at the moment.
18:35Oh.
18:36Did she win?
18:37Mile length and a half.
18:41It's no good, Mr Blair.
18:43You'll have to leave it.
18:44It's your piston rings.
18:46Oh, never mind.
18:47Sian needs them tonight.
18:56Strange lady.
18:58In what way?
18:59Yes.
19:00What?
19:03What was wrong with her car?
19:05Nothing.
19:06She was wanting some paint removed from one of her wheels.
19:13Here's Robert.
19:15John.
19:17And another cup.
19:24You're late, dear.
19:26Left the car with Stan.
19:29All right for some?
19:33Business or pleasure?
19:36Grant's lost his nerve on the franchise affair.
19:39He's dropping the case?
19:41Have you ever known that he had to drop a case?
19:44I'd have risked it.
19:45Well, thank goodness you're not in charge.
19:47I don't think abduction and detention have sullied our files for centuries.
19:51I'm not even sure if it's a felony or a misdemeanor.
19:54Oh, well.
19:57What did you make of the Sharps?
19:59Plausible liars.
20:00I just as well say that about the girl.
20:02You think so?
20:03She seemed quite genuine to me.
20:05She's certainly a prosecuting counsel's dream of a witness.
20:08I looked it up in the dictionary, you know.
20:13Looked what up?
20:15Franchise.
20:16Such an odd thing to call a house.
20:18It means sanctuary, freedom from arrest.
20:21Very appropriate.
20:23Or try to call on the Sharps, do you think, dear?
20:26If you're going to know them, it would be polite.
20:29I think not.
20:30No, perhaps you're right.
20:32Very uncomfortable people, I imagine.
20:35In Spain, monasteries used to be franchises for criminals.
20:54What about chickens?
20:57Chickens?
20:58Well, they don't take much to look after.
21:00We could fence off part of the kitchen garden.
21:03What do you think?
21:04Have you ever looked closely at a hen's face?
21:07It's a concentrated evil.
21:12I don't think so.
21:14I don't think so.
21:16I don't think so.
21:18I don't think so.
21:20Concentrated evil.
21:24No chickens.
21:39Milford, 237.
21:43Good evening.
21:51Miss Sharp?
21:52Thank you, Mr. Blair.
21:54You can't imagine what a relief that is.
21:57Why did they suddenly decide to drop the case?
21:59They're not dropping it exactly, just sitting quiet.
22:02Well, the official line is that on present evidence they're not taking any proceedings.
22:07Somehow I don't find that very reassuring, Mr. Blair.
22:10When you said they weren't proceeding with the case,
22:12I naturally thought you meant that that girl had confessed to her pack of lies.
22:15Miss Sharp, we can't very well discuss this on the telephone.
22:18Would it be convenient if I...
22:22Would Monday morning be all right?
22:24Monday, yes. About noon?
22:26Twelve o'clock on Monday. Thank you.
22:33So you've changed your mind about defending those peculiar people?
22:36I haven't changed my mind, Aunt Lynne.
22:38And I'm not defending them, I'm representing them.
22:40It's really very irritating of you, Robert.
22:43If you are acting for them, I shan't be able to talk about it to anyone.
22:47It's like wanting to be sick and having to postpone it.
23:48Mmm.
23:50Waitress.
23:55Perhaps we ought to forget about coffee this morning.
23:58Certainly not.
24:02Waitress.
24:09She's deliberately ignoring you, Mother.
24:12It's a matter of principle.
24:14You can pay too high a price for your principles.
24:18I'm sorry.
24:21Hen's faces.
24:23All of them.
24:24Vicious hen's faces.
24:31Stan. Morning.
24:32I just dropped in to pay my bill.
24:34It's around here somewhere.
24:36It's way over there.
24:41Any tips?
24:43Not a thing.
24:44The line two pounds down on a cow called Bright Promise.
24:48Some cows are putting your faith in horse flesh.
24:57Good God.
24:59Oh, you've found it then.
25:05Can I borrow this, Stan?
25:06Take it.
25:07Saturdays.
25:09Nice little number, that.
25:11Reminds me of a bint I had in Egypt.
25:44Oh, yeah?
25:45Yeah.
25:46Yeah.
25:47Yeah.
25:48Yeah.
25:49Yeah.
25:50Yeah.
25:51Yeah.
25:52Yeah.
25:53Yeah.
25:54Yeah.
25:55Yeah.
25:56Yeah.
25:57Yeah.
25:58Yeah.
25:59Yeah.
26:00Yeah.
26:01Yeah.
26:02Yeah.
26:03Yeah.
26:04Yeah.
26:05Yeah.
26:06Yeah.
26:07Yeah.
26:08Yeah.
26:09Yeah.
26:10Yeah.
26:11Yeah.
26:12Yeah.
26:13Yeah.
26:14Yeah.
26:15Yeah.
26:16Yeah.
26:17Yeah.
26:18Yeah.
26:19Yeah.
26:20Yeah.
26:21Yeah.
26:22Yeah.
26:23Yeah.
26:24Yeah.
26:25Yeah.
26:26Yeah.
26:27Yeah.
26:28Yeah.
26:29Yeah.
26:30Yeah.
26:31Yeah.
26:32Yeah.
26:33Yeah.
26:34Yeah.
26:35Yeah.
26:36Yeah.
26:37Yeah.
26:38Yeah.
26:39Yeah.
26:40Yeah.
26:41Yeah.
26:42Yeah.
26:43Yeah.
26:44Yeah.
26:45Yeah.
26:46Yeah.
26:47Yeah.
26:48Yeah.
26:49Yeah.
26:50Yeah.
26:51Yeah.
26:52Yeah.
26:53Yeah.
26:54Yeah.
26:55Yeah.
26:56Yeah.
26:57Yeah.
26:58Yeah.
26:59Yeah.
27:00Yeah.
27:01Yeah.
27:02Yeah.
27:03Yeah.
27:04Yeah.
27:05Yeah.
27:06Yeah.
27:07Yeah.
27:08Yeah.
27:09Yeah.
Comments