- 8 minutes ago
First broadcast 6th November 1978.
Mr. Nicholls seeks his daughter's approval ahead of a marriage proposal.
Richard O'Sullivan - Robin
Tessa Wyatt - Vicky
Tony Britton - James Nicholls
David Kelly - Albert
Rachel Gurney - Davinia
Peggy Aitchison - Gertrude
Mr. Nicholls seeks his daughter's approval ahead of a marriage proposal.
Richard O'Sullivan - Robin
Tessa Wyatt - Vicky
Tony Britton - James Nicholls
David Kelly - Albert
Rachel Gurney - Davinia
Peggy Aitchison - Gertrude
Category
📺
TVTranscript
01:00Excuse me, sir. Imagine me, wait, let me put this.
01:03What is it?
01:03It's a dead mouse.
01:05Put it in the dustbin, Albert. I didn't know we have mice.
01:08Oh, we haven't. I brought it from me lodgings.
01:11You were?
01:11Well, I couldn't leave it there. The cat might have got it.
01:15Now, Albert, you see, that are what cats are for, you see.
01:18It's part of Mother Nature's grand plan.
01:20Oh, if it's a sporting contest, yes, but you're a dead mouse would have stood no chance at all.
01:25And it's a fierce moggy. I mean, it's as big as that.
01:29Oh, yes, you're right. That's no contest there at all.
01:31Good morning, everybody.
01:32Oh, I knew it was too good to laugh.
01:34Oh, for me, you shouldn't have.
01:36I didn't.
01:37Oh, for you, darling.
01:38Oh, thanks, sir.
01:39Yeah.
01:40Hello, what you got there? Your laundry?
01:43It's a dead mouse.
01:45Oh, well done.
01:46Get a sun helmet and a rifle, put your foot on it, we'll take a photograph.
01:49He's in a good mood. What's wrong with him?
01:54It does spin, yes.
01:56Yes, doink, the flowers are by way of being an apology.
01:59I haven't been around for a week or two.
02:01Three weeks.
02:02Good heavens, is it as long as that?
02:03Two days, four hours, 17 seconds.
02:07An old family friend is in town, darling, and I've been escorting her to the theatre and so forth.
02:13Hello, hello.
02:14It may be winter on the roof, but there's still spring in the floorboards.
02:20Are you trying to be vulgar?
02:22Very slightly, yes.
02:23Well, I don't know what you mean, but I might tell you that I have the floorboards of a man half my age.
02:28Do I know this family friend?
02:30Oh, no, no, no, I don't think so, darling. You were only a child.
02:33Devinia.
02:35Devinia.
02:36Yes.
02:37Devinia.
02:38Say it soft and it's almost like bread.
02:43Are you looking for a smack in the mouth, young man?
02:46Oh, come on, you two. Break it up. You're worse than a peace conference.
02:49Yes, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It is my fault.
02:51Sir, may I say that I have the highest respect for you, and if I have offended your sensibilities in any way, I must humbly apologise, sir.
02:59Well, you can't say fair of him that.
03:01He doesn't mean it.
03:02Yes, he does, don't you?
03:03No.
03:06See? Fancy a glass of wine?
03:08No, no, no, no, darling. As a matter of fact, I only dropped in to ask you over for tea this afternoon.
03:12I'd like you to meet her.
03:13Devinia.
03:14Yes.
03:16Devinia.
03:17Devinia.
03:19Yes, that would be lovely. We're not doing anything, are we, this afternoon?
03:22Anything for Devinia.
03:25Mrs. Latham to you?
03:27Oh, honestly, Victoria, do we have to take the court, Jester?
03:30You see, I want your opinion.
03:32My opinion?
03:32Yes.
03:33How shall I put this?
03:37There's been a certain happiness missing in my life since your mother and I were divorced.
03:42But you couldn't stand each other.
03:43No, and then she left me and I was happy.
03:47But you see, it doesn't last.
03:49And now, well, Devinia has come along, and I'd like you to meet her.
03:55Shall we say four o'clock-ish?
03:57There'll be buttered crumpets.
03:58All right, fine.
03:59Did you say Mrs. Latham?
04:01Yes, yes. Well, at least she was.
04:04Until her husband had a difference of opinion with a rhinoceros.
04:08We'll be there for them.
04:09Okay, darling.
04:10All right, darling. Bye-bye.
04:11Bye-bye.
04:15Devinia.
04:17Devinia Latham, of course.
04:20It was almost a friend, you know, this, if you know.
04:25I trained you to do little tricks.
04:28You did roll over and play dead.
04:32Yes, well, it's overdone it this time.
04:33Will you get rid of it, Albert?
04:34Please!
04:36I used to throw matchsticks for it to fetch.
04:40I just remembered who she is, and I don't like her.
04:42Well, I do.
04:43Anybody who can keep your father out of my head for three weeks has got to be a goodie.
04:46I was only a child, but I remember her.
04:48Imagine if they get to give themselves permanently all the time.
04:50We may never see him again.
04:51Family friend.
04:52She was the one who broke up my parents' marriage.
04:54What, you mean your father and her?
04:56They used to...
04:57Well, you know.
04:59Mind you, his floorboards were young in those days.
05:02I don't want to meet her.
05:04Oh, come on, Vicky.
05:05You can't stand in the way of young love.
05:08Young?
05:08Well, exactly.
05:09If they don't come round here so often, we've got more of a chance to get on with it, you know.
05:11Does she remember me?
05:15And, you know, us.
05:17Oh, I doubt it, darling.
05:18She was only a little girl.
05:19Little girls, my lover.
05:21Only big girls waiting for the curves to arrive.
05:23If I were her, I'd remember me.
05:25I'm so afraid she won't like me.
05:27Oh, she'll adore you.
05:31I'll finish it in the bedroom if you want to use it at all.
05:36No, no, no, thank you, Gertrude.
05:38If you're all through...
05:39Well, I haven't done the kitchen sink yet.
05:41Ah, right, right, yes.
05:43She's a treasure, really.
05:44He's a sloppy devil with his kitchen sink.
05:47Tea leaves, coffee grains.
05:50I found a suspender belt in his waste disposal once.
05:54Really?
05:55Yes, thank you.
05:56Thank you very much, Gertrude.
05:59Absolute treasure.
06:01If you hide the sherry bottle.
06:03Does it come in every day?
06:05No, no, no, no.
06:06Just two days a week to augment her earnings from the wrestling.
06:09Shall I freshen up your drink, darling?
06:13Ah, no, no.
06:15I think I'll just go and tidy up, you know, before...
06:17You do that, dear.
06:18I'll just give him a drink.
06:22Darling!
06:23Sweetheart.
06:23What?
06:26What have you done with my daughter?
06:27Ah, she didn't want to...
06:28Ah, well, she couldn't come.
06:29She's got a dental appointment.
06:30She sends her apologies.
06:32I see.
06:32Well, I won't detain you.
06:33Just a minute.
06:34Just a minute.
06:34Now I'm here, I'd like to meet you a bit of...
06:36I mean, come on.
06:37At least I came.
06:39Yeah.
06:40Why?
06:40Well, I'd just like you to know that I think you're doing the right thing.
06:43You know, you.
06:45Getting a hobby.
06:45I mean, sorry, you...
06:46Oh, very well.
06:48You'd better come in.
06:49I suppose you are partly a family.
06:50Right.
06:51I don't know why I tell Vicky how nice she is, how well we got on together.
06:55Sorry, what was her name again?
06:56D'Ovinia.
06:57I suppose I have to offer you a drink.
06:58Ah, scotch?
06:59Thanks.
07:00Lots of ice.
07:02Ice?
07:02Mm-hmm.
07:03Yes.
07:04And D'Ovinia's just tidying up a little.
07:06Fine.
07:08Ice.
07:09Ice.
07:11Well, if you've got a splash of soda, you know, anything you'd like for.
07:15Oh.
07:16Good afternoon.
07:20Good afternoon.
07:21Er, I'm Robin Tripp, son-in-law.
07:23Oh, yeah?
07:24Oh, very nice.
07:27Would you like to sit down?
07:29Oh, just for a minute.
07:37Well, he's told me a lot about you.
07:39Has he?
07:42Yes.
07:43Has he told you a lot about me?
07:45No.
07:45No.
07:46Ah.
07:47Actually, you see, you're not actually altogether as I sort of pictured you.
07:52Well, how did you picture me?
07:54Well, sort of more sort of willowy and glamorous.
07:57Is that the way you described me?
08:00Oh, sort of.
08:01Oh, sort of.
08:03There you are, then.
08:04A dash of soda, I think you said.
08:06I...
08:07You're a very lucky man, mister.
08:10What?
08:13Oh, oh, yes, yes.
08:15Very hard to find these days.
08:17Well, they would be at your age, yes.
08:19He's had me twice a week for six years.
08:27Matter of fact, yes, well, thank you very much.
08:30That will be all, Gertrude.
08:32Shall we say at the same time next Thursday?
08:34Right you are.
08:35You're not going already.
08:36I thought we were all going to have sort of tea together.
08:37Oh, that would be nice.
08:40No, no, no, no.
08:42I...
08:42You seem to have...
08:43You've got the...
08:44Ah, Davinia.
08:45This is my son-in-law, uh...
08:47Robin.
08:48Yes.
08:48This is Davinia Leigham.
08:49How do you do?
08:50How do you do?
08:51Sorry, I thought it was you two.
08:52I thought...
08:52Yes, I know.
08:55Come on, Gertrude, dear.
08:56I thought Victoria...
08:57No, she couldn't come.
08:58She's got an earache.
09:00So she took it to the dentist.
09:03I'm partial to Buttered Crumpy.
09:05Yes, I'm sure you are, Gertrude.
09:08I'll save you some.
09:09Come along.
09:10Goodbye.
09:11I believe, uh...
09:13You and Mr. Nicholls, you used to have a...
09:15You know, sorry, your old friends.
09:17Uh, yes, yes.
09:19That, um, was before I went to Kenya with my husband.
09:23You're married?
09:24No, no, not anymore.
09:25He died two years ago.
09:26Oh, great.
09:27Great, great shame.
09:28Great shame.
09:30Davinia's here for a month in London.
09:31She's looking for somewhere to live.
09:33Yes?
09:33Words.
09:34Nice place.
09:34This, this nice place, isn't it?
09:36Here?
09:37Yeah.
09:38A bit big, really, for...
09:39Well, it's too big, in fact, for one person, don't you think?
09:43I beg your pardon?
09:44Well, you know, it's nice to see two old people getting together.
09:46Well, you know, sorry.
09:48You know, when I say old, I don't mean, you know, old.
09:52I mean, you two, you two, you're quite young, really, aren't you, you two?
09:57Yes.
09:58I think we'd better have some tea.
10:00Yes, I'll be mother.
10:02She'll be mother.
10:04James, I don't know how weak you like it, but you haven't put any tea in.
10:07What?
10:08Oh, oh.
10:08I'll do it.
10:09Oh, she'll do it.
10:11You see, it needs a woman to think about these things.
10:14You know, us men, we're so stupid, we forget...
10:16Listen, you, what are you trying to do?
10:19Well, I just want you to know that I approve.
10:21I don't care what you think.
10:23I want to know what Victoria thinks.
10:24Well, she'll approve, too, when she meets.
10:28I've been thinking, miss, about how a man can get lonely and needs a bit of companionship,
10:34especially when he's getting on.
10:36Has Robin been talking to you about my father?
10:38No, miss.
10:40I didn't even know your father had a mouse.
10:43No, he hasn't.
10:46Sorry.
10:47I might be able to get him one if you think he'd like it.
10:50Um, no, not really, Albert.
10:52Right.
10:54Mission accomplished.
10:55Double O, three and a half, agent trip, reporting for debriefing.
10:58I'm not interested in hearing about her.
11:00Now, come on, Vicky, you are.
11:01You know you are.
11:01No, I'm not.
11:03Albert, go into the kitchen and fill the salt cellars.
11:05But I've already filled them, miss.
11:06Then fill them again.
11:07Yeah, but I don't think...
11:08Albert.
11:09Oh, yeah, I will do that.
11:11Right, sit down.
11:13Now, first of all, I think he's very serious about her.
11:17She fancies him, so we're nearly there.
11:18All you've got to do is approve of her.
11:21But I don't approve of her.
11:22You will when you meet her.
11:24I'm not going to meet her.
11:24Yes, you are.
11:25They're coming around to dinner tonight.
11:26What?
11:29What is it you're giving them, sir?
11:31Well, Albert, the main dish is duck.
11:35Or as we say it, you know, canaton à l'orange.
11:38It's served with a sauce in its own roux, mixed very slightly with a little dash of cointreau.
11:44On true, the sweetness is to be cut by red cabbage, Le Scoffier, and reduced by petit pois à la française.
11:53The orange, of course, will be sparsed.
11:59Sounds good enough to eat.
12:00Ah, you always say the right thing, Albert.
12:02Ah, it's a gift.
12:03It runs in the family, sir.
12:05When my brother Sean was picked up with the police for shooting deer, he gave a false address.
12:10What the tip are you talking about, Sir Sergeant Corcoran?
12:13Sure, we've lived next door to each other all our lives.
12:16I know, Sir Sean, but I didn't think you'd wanted to get out that your next door neighbour was a poacher.
12:22Fascinating, Albert.
12:25Robin.
12:25Yeah?
12:27I've been thinking about it, and I don't want to meet her.
12:30Hey, now, come on.
12:30He won't go down on his benders if you don't give the thumbs up.
12:33I know, but I remember her, and she's not right for him.
12:36She'd eat him alive.
12:37It's my professional opinion that she'd have to use a lot of tenderiser.
12:41It's not funny.
12:42She broke up my parents' marriage.
12:43Now, come on, Vicky.
12:45Albert.
12:47Oh, I go and fill this old cellar, sir.
12:50Now, come on, Vicky.
12:51It was a long time ago.
12:52Don't you think you're being a little bit selfish?
12:54Selfish?
12:55Yes.
12:55I mean, don't you think your father's entitled to a snatch of happiness in his twilight years?
13:01A bit of warmth of a loving relationship?
13:03A bit of the other?
13:05We just want to get him off our back.
13:07Absolutely.
13:08Well, I'm sorry, Robin.
13:09You've got the ranch here.
13:11You can look after him.
13:12No, Vicky, come on.
13:13What about the other cousin?
13:14Vicky!
13:15Excuse me, sir.
13:16Mr. Nichols has arrived.
13:18Well, he's too early.
13:21Hey, you're not supposed to be here till eight.
13:25I know that.
13:26I just thought I'd pop in first to check the ambiance.
13:30The table, the lighting.
13:32Well, we'll keep it low so she can't see the wrinkles.
13:34I think a secluded table, like a screen round it.
13:40Young man, I don't think you realise how important this evening is to me.
13:45Riddle!
13:45Oh, yes, sir.
13:46I go on to the south, sir.
13:49You're not going to propose to her, are you?
13:52Is Victoria about?
13:53No, she's just had to pop out for a moment.
13:55Right.
13:55Well, in some ways, you can get closer to my daughter than I can.
14:00I can.
14:01Yes.
14:02I do.
14:03Often.
14:06Wipe that lascivious smirk off your face.
14:08Sorry, sorry.
14:09How, um, how does she, how does she feel about Davinia?
14:16I mean, does she, does she remember her at all?
14:18Well, would it put you off if she couldn't stand the sight of her?
14:21Well, yes.
14:22Well, let's say she can't remember her at all.
14:26I see.
14:27Well, now, about the character of the duckling tonight.
14:29I shall want it chambray to perfection.
14:32Leave it to me.
14:32Right.
14:33I'll give it a good old bubble up on the stove before you run.
14:37You will decant it carefully.
14:39Ja, wohl, mein Oberstummenführer.
14:44If you'd ever seen one, you wouldn't use that word quite so lightly.
14:47I have her many times.
14:49She's just sticking a ticket on your car just now.
14:51What?
14:53And my pièce de résistance is going to be duck à l'orange.
14:57Incredible, sir.
14:58Nobody goes to sleep over my desk.
15:00But have you decided what wine you're giving them?
15:02Yes, well, I thought I'd start them off with this one, Albert.
15:05It's, uh, Saint-Circ-Claude-Chain-Marchand 68.
15:08Yeah, but it's empty.
15:10Yes, but it won't be when I fill it with house plonk.
15:11Go on, table four.
15:12All right, sir.
15:16Oh, they're here, sir.
15:18Oh, right, fine.
15:20Not quite the Savoy, my dear,
15:22but at least you'll have the chance to meet Victoria.
15:25Ah.
15:26Good evening.
15:27Welcome, welcome.
15:28Hello, Robin.
15:29Here's your table.
15:31Flowers.
15:32Subdued lighting.
15:34I've got a cushion handy
15:36in case you want to kneel on anything any time, okay?
15:40Davinia is absolutely dying to meet Victoria.
15:43Yeah, well, she's just had to pop up.
15:44Now, listen,
15:44I've cooked you something very, very special this evening.
15:47Not that ordinary rubbish on the, on the menu.
15:50So, well,
15:51there's nothing wrong with it.
15:53It's all good stuff.
15:54It's all good stuff.
15:54So, I'll get your wine.
16:02Well, it's certainly very intimate.
16:11Yes.
16:14Yes.
16:16Hello.
16:17Oh, you're back.
16:18Where have you been?
16:19Well, I've been walking and thinking.
16:21I couldn't leave you on your own.
16:23I thought, if I've got to meet her,
16:25I might as well get it over with.
16:26Oh, great.
16:27But I won't like her.
16:28You don't have to like her.
16:29Just approve of her.
16:30All right.
16:31Now, come on.
16:32Let's go.
16:33Oh, it's so nice to see you here.
16:36Ah, Victoria.
16:38How marvelous.
16:39This is my daughter, Victoria.
16:40This is Divinia Latham.
16:41Hello, at last.
16:42Nice to meet you.
16:43Do sit down, darling, just for a moment.
16:47Hello, may I?
16:49Well, well, well.
16:50Isn't this nice?
16:51Yes.
16:52You know, you're so like your mother.
16:54Of course.
16:55You knew my mother, didn't you?
16:57And my father.
16:58Though you probably knew my father better.
17:00Well, I don't think we should go back.
17:02I would like your opinion, sir.
17:05Naturally.
17:17Hmm.
17:18Hmm.
17:18Hmm.
17:18Hmm.
17:18Hmm.
17:2268.
17:22Yes, it is an excellent year for the Sancerre Claude Duchesne Marchand.
17:26Yes?
17:27Yes.
17:29Not quite such a good year for the house Plonk, but it'll do.
17:31If you'll excuse me, I'll get yourselves excuse me.
17:36The last time I saw you, you were in pigtails.
17:39Well, that's going back a bit.
17:40Mummy and Daddy were still married then.
17:42Yes, yes.
17:43What do you think of the restaurant?
17:44I like it very much.
17:46Not you, dear.
17:47It turned Divinia.
17:48Oh, it's very nice.
17:49You know, I used to run a restaurant in Nairobi.
17:51It was rather like this.
17:53Really?
17:53Well, there are so many things I don't know about her, you know.
17:56There's a few things I remember.
17:59They seem to be getting on quite well.
18:00They haven't come to blows yet.
18:02Yes, I did all the cooking.
18:04Cordon Bleu, of course.
18:05We were in the Kikuyu edition of the Guide Michelin.
18:08How marvelous.
18:09Well, if you'll excuse me.
18:10No, no, no, Victoria.
18:12This is very interesting.
18:13She may be able to give young a few tips.
18:15Oh, he'll love that.
18:17Oh, no, I wouldn't dream of it.
18:18Oh, but you must.
18:20You have a Cordon Bleu cook here, young man.
18:22What?
18:23Yes, she may be a great deal of help to you in the future.
18:25Divinia, do tell him what you think of this.
18:27Well.
18:27Oh, mushroom devil.
18:29Oh, the smell's delicious.
18:33Mmm.
18:34You mixed nutmeg with the tarragon vinegar, didn't you?
18:37You noticed, huh?
18:38Yes.
18:39Of course, I always use cinnamon.
18:42Yes.
18:42See?
18:44You learned something already.
18:45And perhaps you could give Robin some more tips on the rest of the meal.
18:49Yes, yes, he wouldn't mind at all.
18:51You're not too proud to learn, are you?
18:54No.
18:55Well, it does make a difference, you know, cinnamon.
18:57And it won't take a minute.
18:59Excuse us.
19:01Come on, Robin.
19:02Ah, yes.
19:07Well, what do you think of her?
19:09Actually, she reminds me of mummy.
19:10You are not going to put me off.
19:13Now, tell me, why didn't you turn up to meet her this afternoon?
19:16Uh, I had a headache.
19:18As well as toothache and earache.
19:21Dad, it's your life.
19:22And if it's any help, Robin thinks she's marvellous.
19:24Ah, I see you poached the sole in wine.
19:32Yes, naturally.
19:33Yes, I think you'd find fish stock an improvement.
19:35I use that as well.
19:36Oh, dear.
19:38Now then, a little more paprika.
19:41Uh, you say you used to run a restaurant yourself.
19:43Yes, and I do, sir, miss.
19:44It's still with James owning half this place, I'll be able to take an interest.
19:48Knockout.
19:50Oh, dear.
19:52Not a metal spoon.
19:54And you'll bruise the sauce.
19:59It's just that the flat seems so empty since you went away and left me all on my own.
20:05And perhaps I need a woman about the place.
20:09Well, if she's the right one, yes.
20:11But perhaps I am being selfish.
20:14You do what you think's right.
20:15Do I have your approval?
20:17Yes.
20:19Oh, darling, I knew you'd like her.
20:22There we are.
20:23I think we'll find this a bit more piquant.
20:25Oh, I'm sure we will.
20:26Do excuse me.
20:27Work to do.
20:28Yes, of course.
20:28Well, for what it's worth, I've given him my blessing.
20:35Oh, you haven't, have you?
20:36Yes, you were right.
20:37I was being selfish.
20:38No, you weren't.
20:40If he marries her, she'll be around here every night.
20:42What?
20:43She's even worse than he is.
20:45At least he lets me bruise the sauces.
20:46Oh, splendid meal, Dovinia.
20:52You were so right to make him add a dash of Cointreau to the duckling.
20:56He's a nice boy.
20:57Hmm?
20:58Hmm.
21:00Fancy mine not knowing that you'd had your own restaurant.
21:03Hmm.
21:04Oh, I think I've got a photograph of it here somewhere.
21:06So much news to catch up on.
21:08Thanks for a minute.
21:09Yes.
21:10That's the one.
21:13Oh, yes.
21:14Yes.
21:15And there's you.
21:17Ah, you're a handsome woman, Dovinia.
21:20There's something I've been meaning to say to you.
21:22There's another one with Jeremy, Malcolm and Philip.
21:24Oh, yes.
21:25Fine boys, yes.
21:26Neighbours' children.
21:27No, no, no, no, no.
21:28They're mine.
21:31Yours?
21:31Yes.
21:32All three of them?
21:33Yes.
21:3314, 13, 12.
21:35They're coming over to live with me.
21:38Oh.
21:38Oh, you will love them.
21:40Yes, they remind me very much of young Robin.
21:44Three of them.
21:46All like him.
21:49Hmm.
21:58I think we can do without that.
22:01She's been in the kitchen three times already.
22:04I think we should add a little bit more garlic to this.
22:06A little bit more garlic to this.
22:08Too many cooks spoil the breath?
22:10No.
22:11Mr. Nickles and the lady are on their way, sir.
22:13She said to say goodbye.
22:14Did she give you a tip?
22:15No.
22:16Well, you're the only one.
22:17I would drive you to your hotel, of course, but after all that, that can't throw in the duckling.
22:22I don't think it'd be wise.
22:23When will I see you again?
22:24Oh, well, I'll give you a ring.
22:26On the telephone.
22:28I thought you had something to say to me.
22:30Oh, yes.
22:31Give my regards to your boys.
22:33Fine, lads.
22:34And don't forget to send me a postcard when you get back to Nairobi.
22:37Oh, what a night, eh?
22:43And you didn't help my forgetting to fill the salt cellars, Albert.
22:46Well, nobody told me to.
22:48Well, did you ask her?
22:50She has three boys, all of them like him.
22:53Next question.
22:54What, you mean you haven't?
22:55You mean you're not?
22:56No, I am not.
22:58Well, I'm glad.
22:59And so am I.
23:00And me, sir.
23:01You keep part of this riddle.
23:02I've gone through this house, Albert.
23:06I mean, not that marriage isn't a bad idea for you.
23:09You know, keep you occupied.
23:11Hey, you know that cleaning lady of yours, Gertrude?
23:15Do you know, you could do a lot worse.
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