December 1964
PRODUCTION INFORMATION Produced by: ATV NETWORK at the Alpha Studios, Birmingham. |
Cast and story information from: ITC Entertainment Programme Synopsis: Crossroads Episodes One to Forty.
Producer: REG WATSON
Created by: HAZEL ADAIR AND PETER LING
Directors: ALAN COLEMAN, REG WATSON, TIM JONES, JACK BARTON
Written by: JOHN PENNINGTON (week 5), KENNETH HILL (week 6), SHEILA HODGSON (week 7), KEITH WILLIAMS (week 8)
Theme Tune: TONY HATCH
Other Crew: Designers: REX SPENCER and ELIZABETH DORRITY, Floor Managers: PETER HARRIS and LIZ STERN, Production Manager: MARGARET FRENCH
| CAST LIST – DECEMBER |
| NOELE GORDON as Meg Richardson
JANE ROSSINGTON as Jill Richardson ROGER TONGE as Sandy Richardson BERYL JOHNSTONE as Kitty Jarvis BRIAN KENT as Dick Jarvis DAVID FENNELL as Brian Jarvis MALCOLM YOUNG as Philip Winter ANTHONY COLLINS as Mr. Payne ANTHONY MORTON as Carlos Rafael PEGGY AITCHISON as Vi Blundell PAUL HODGKINSON as Colin Warboys MICHAEL COOKE as Military Policeman KIM PEARS as John Gorman ANTHONY HOWARD as Victor Amos MONICA LEWINS as Ada Fairweather PATTI DALTON as Dolly Blanchard CAROLYN LYSTER as Janice Gifford SUE JAMESON as Patricia Walker/Robbins LEWIS TEASDALE as Oliver Walker HARRY LESLIE as Mr. Drury HARRY SHIELS as Harry Leggett STANLEY ILLSLEY as Mr. Noden SUE NICHOLLS as Marilyn Gates HILDA MARVIN as Mrs. Gates
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PATRICK TOWNSEND as Mr. Tweedale
THELMA ROGERS as Mrs. Mears MICHAEL ELWYN as Ted Roach PORTIA as the Great Dane dog ALEX MARSHALL as Christine Fuller JOHN BOTT as Mr. Court EILEEN BARRY as Alice Barker GEORGE SKILLEAN as Owen Webb CECIL POTTS as a policeman BRUCE CARSTAIRS as Mr. Henderson MICHAEL INGRAM as C.I.D Inspector MARGARET GILMORE PARKER as Rosie Gough MALCOLM BALDWIN as Mr. Pringle STEPHEN DYER as Mr. Benedict COLIN PINNEY as Mr. Cole JOYCE GRUNDY as ‘woman’ ROGER MILNER as Mr. Holland GRAHAM WESTON as Ken Church MARGERY FIELD as Hilda Duvene JACQUELINE NOON as Doreen Hoolihan/Winter PHILIP GARSTON-JONES as George Gifford. GWEN MUSPRATT as Mable Gifford JILL BETTS as Josefina Rafael BRIAN BEASLEY as Mr. Smethwick TONY BRITTON as ‘special Guest’ (Christmas Day) BERT BROWNBILL as ‘special Guest’ (Christmas Day) |
EPISODES
EPISODE 22: Dec 1st 1964: Kitty is still suspicious about Dick’s visit to the motel, it surely can’t just have been about her well-being; she comes right out with it ‘have you asked Meg for £2000?’ He assures her he most certainly did not. She doesn’t believe him.
Philip suggests to Meg they should re-advertise for a new waitress, following the departure of the disastrous lusty Marilyn. Sarah’s father pops into the motel. He’s had a letter from Sarah with another to pass on to Jill, this gives Meg the chance to make arrangements to chat with Mr Payne about his daughter’s job in London. She admits she feels a bit guilty about not allowing Jill to join Sarah.
Carlos asks for the weekend off, Meg says due to the motel being busy this coming weekend the answer has to be no. Sandy and his friend Colin are mending a puncture on Sandy’s bike, during the chat Sandy learns Colin’s dad works at the same TV repair firm the elusive ‘Patrick Wade’ worked at, Sandy thinks this could be a good way to find out more information on Philip.
Philip is explaining in more detail to Jill the night the money went missing that he was accused of taking. She is sympathetic, if not a little bit lovestruck. Later Kitty calls him and suggests he should think about giving himself up and let the authorities discover the truth, she’s been very worried about the whole thing. Mid-conversation the shop bell rings and the two Military Police are back to see if she’s heard from ‘Patrick’?
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 23: Dec 2nd 1964 Kitty informs the Military Police Officers that, sadly, she has not had any further contact with Patrick Wade. Over at the factory, where Brian works in the design department, a pal tells him that he saw Janice out with Bob Willis last night. They were very cosy at a dance club. Brian is rattled.
At The Crown Inn, Dick and Victor Amos are detailing the contracts and legal documents for their car hire firm. Victor notes the contracts will need to be signed with the solicitor on Thursday, and £400 will be needed between them upfront, Victor says in the short-term he can pay Dick’s share, but he’ll want it back.
Meg observes Carlos’ drooling over each of the potential waitresses she has waiting to interview. He says he misses his wife and if he could have the weekend off he’d not be so randy. She says sorry, it just isn’t possible.
Kitty visits the motel, she informs Philip that the military police have been back looking for him, she later discovers in conversation with Meg that Dick didn’t ask for any loan of money.
A distressed lady attempts to check in, she starts to sign in as MRS WAL, but crosses it out and signs in as Patricia Robbins. She says to Meg under no circumstances is she to be disturbed. Meg is disturbed by Ms Robbins’ distraught behaviour.
Episode status: Wiped/Missing
EPISODE 24: Dec 3rd 1964 The next morning sees a calmer Patricia Robbins when Meg takes breakfast on a tray to her chalet. Patrica explains that she’s really Patricia Walker, she’s been married six months but is fleeing her bully and abusive husband. She’s on her way to Yorkshire to stay with her parents and this is just a one-night stop. She begs Meg not to let her husband know she’s here and if he should come looking for her.
Colin and Sandy are chatting about information gleaned concerning Patrick from Colin’s father. There is something associated with a Mr Rudd, and this Rudd works at the TV Repair company that Patrick also was at for a short while.
At the reception, a small polite gentleman arrives. He says he is Mr Walker, this does not fit the image Patricia has painted. She later tries to find out what is going on between Mr and Mrs Walker, but Patricia is adamant: the man is a brut and she will not see him.
At The Crown Victor, Dick and Mr. Drury are celebrating the official confirmation of the Night and Day Car Hire company. Victor has paid Dick’s initial £200 deposit but reminds Dick he wants it back and that he still has to find his remaining share.
Later Dick confides in Brian that it is looking unlikely that he will be able to pay back Victor or find the remaining balance. Brian is astonished his father would be so stupid.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped
EPISODE 25: Dec 4th 1964 Over breakfast at the Jarvis’ Dick asks Brian not to mention anything to Kitty about the car hire developments. He agrees and says he won’t be in this evening anyway, he’s taking Janice to the motel for dinner.
Mr and Mrs Walker finally, meet face-to-face in the motel foyer. Meg initially hangs around, but eventually leaves the couple to talk through their problems. They later decided to give things another try. Meg is glad she was able to play a small part in things not turning dour for them.
Dick Jarvis attempts to get another loan, this time trying the family bank. The bank manager is reluctant and dubious about the project. He however suggests that he should speak with Kitty about mortgaging the shop, then the money would be easy to obtain without having to sell the newsagents. Dick hadn’t thought of this.
Kitty rings the motel and speaks to Philip warning him Brian will be there this evening. Dick arrives home and attempts to turn the conversation to mortgaging the newsagents, she isn’t keen on it. It’s the only security they have. She suggests he gives up the car hire idea.
Brian and Janice are in the motel restaurant and he’s promised her the very best, which she has taken to every level of best, the best wine and she wants the very best from the menu. Jill takes the order but when she goes to the kitchen finds nothing is cooking. Philip informs Meg that Carlos’ room is empty, all his clothes have gone.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped.
EPISODE 26 Dec 7th There is panic in the kitchen. Carlos has vanished, Jill informs Janice and Brian that there may be a slight delay while Meg looking at the menus says there is no way they can come up with those kinds of meals. Janice is bored, says the motel isn’t up to much and the pair have another row.
Colin and Sandy have hatched a plan to get Mr Rudd to visit the motel, and see Philip. Sandy attempts to put on a butch voice, and makes a call from the payphone near the motel. He asks for a TV set to be demonstrated for Mr Richardson at the Crossroads Motel that evening.
Leaving work Brian is followed by a Great Dane dog. It follows him home, and manages via a customer, to get inside the shop. It won’t let Kitty or Dick near, but is happy to see Brian.
At the motel a new waitress has joined the team, Meg is put out when Jill apologises for the ‘awful uniform’. Later she has dinner with Mr Payne, the father of Sarah, Jill’s friend who is now living in London working for Silhouette Magazine. He tells Meg how much Sarah is enjoying it, the lifestyle, the money, a happy job. Meg feels she’s held Jill back and asks Mr Payne if he can see about any openings for Jill at the magazine. As an influential businessman he says he will ask around, he also notes he will ask his friend at the council about the motel getting a liquor license so they can serve none-residents alcohol.
Ted Rudd arrives at the motel to showcase the very best in television sets. He informs Meg that a Mr Richardson had requested it. She says there must be some mistake as Mr Richardson had been deceased for three years. Philip walks into the foyer to see what is going on…
Episode status: Wiped/Missing.
EPISODE 27: Dec 8th Meg, Philip and Ted Rudd are looking at the TV set. Rudd doesn’t recognise Philip and leaves suggesting it wasn’t a very funny practical joke.
Brian, Dick and Kitty, are trying to figure out what to do about the Great Dane that has decided to take an interest in Brian and refuses to leave. Kitty suggests that they need a new paying lodger rather than a dog. Dick places an ad in the window.
Jill has seen Mr Payne leaving the motel, and she is curious. Meg says he had popped in to discuss a few things, and that he is going to try and help Crossroads gain a drinks licence. Sandy sees Philip isn’t around, Meg says he’s gone into Birmingham. Sandy, wrongly, thinks he’s done a flit after seeing Ted Rudd. (Sandy wasn’t at the motel when Rudd was due to a punctured bike tyre).
At The Crown Inn, Victor Amos is relaxing, when Brian pops in, he decides to question Victor about the Night and Day Car Hire venture, he concludes from the conversation that Victor isn’t as flush as he makes out either.
Meg is reading in bed, she puts down her book and is about to turn out the light when she notices the door handle to the connecting room is slowly turning.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped.
EPISODE 28: Dec 9th Meg is terrified that she has an intruder, as the door from the connecting shared bathroom is slowly opening. Out from behind the door enters Carlos. He apologises for rushing off to Malvern to see his wife, and begs for her not to sack him, she says they will discuss it in the morning. She shoos him back into his bedroom at the other side of the bathroom and locks that connecting door.
At the shop an elderly gentleman has seen the advert in the window concerning the lodger. He introduces himself as Owen Webb, but Kitty is so preoccupied with finding a solution to rehoming the Great Dane that he leaves before she can deal with him. She blames Brian for losing a potential lodger because of the dog.
Meg and Jill are making breakfast for the guests at the motel while Carlos continues to beg for his chefs job back. With a bit of persuading from Jill, he is finally allowed back by Meg; who makes it quite clear there should be no more unapproved weekends away and no more using the connecting door between their rooms (via bathroom).
Owen Webb returns to the shop, and explains to Kitty that his wife has gone into hospital and wants a room so he isn’t so alone and the shop is near the bus stop to the hospital so it’s a good location. Kitty warms to Owen, despite the fact he’s made it clear he is retired and his income is very limited.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped.
EPISODE 29: Dec 10th Kitty is serving Mrs. Mears in the shop when Owen Jones turns up with his luggage. Kitty calls for Dick to help him to his room. Mrs. Mears is all eyes, and begins an interrogation about the new lodger, Kitty declines to give any information.
Carlos is talking to Christine about her background, although in reality he has no interest and it is just an excuse for him to talk about his life in Spain and his wife Josefina. Christine mentions her husband works away and this is why she has taken the job at the motel.
Kitty has phoned the police to see if anyone has lost a Great Dane or had one stolen as its refusing to leave her shop. Dick is hopeful they may soon get the dog reunited with its owner. While Kitty is busy in the shop he begins practising forging her signature.
Business for the motel appears to be about to get a boost when Meg talks to ‘guest’ Alice Baker who is very impressed with the Crossroads site. She says she works for The Commonwealth Society checking out places for suitable accommodation. She will be recommending Crossroads Motel.
The police arrive at Kitty’s newsagents and informs Brian that the owners of the Great Dane have been traced, but both were killed in a car crash on the M1 earlier in the week. They can take the dog to kennels, but it will be put to sleep if it can’t be rehomed within 7-days.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped.
EPISODE 30: Dec 11th Kitty refused the dog to go to the police, and said she won’t allow it to be put down. Brian suggests he takes it up to the Motel and Meg may take to it, she loves animals. Kitty thinks it may be worth a try. She also is happy with their new lodger Owen, who she thinks is very pleasant.
Brian and Dick head to the motel with the dog, Meg is very keen on it, but declines to take it for her own as she just doesn’t have the time anymore for pets. Dick spies the open cash box behind the reception desk.
The next day Jill mentions to Meg the commercial traveller they both were not keen on left very early in the morning, not stopping even for breakfast. Meg says she’s glad he’s gone, she found him rather unlikeable. When she gets ready to leave for the bank she discovers the cash box is empty.
Victor and Dick are celebrating in the back parlour of the shop their new business plans. Kitty is worried, neither of them has offered any explanation to where they got the money from.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped.
EPISODE 31: Dec 14th Meg rings the police concerning the missing cash from the motel reception. Philip comes in and Meg explains what has happened. This alarms him.
Carlos is showing off to Sandy his new motorbike, Sandy is very envious of it and wishes he was old enough to have one too. Sandy asks how much it cost and how could he afford it. Carlos says he has plenty of money. Still, on money concerns Kitty asks Dick how he’s funded the business venture; he says at the moment Victor has put the money up. Brian knows this is a lie.
The police take details from Meg about the robbery during the night at the motel. While the police suspect the commercial traveller when Kitty finds out about the missing cash she is instantly torn to think it could also be Dick or Philip behind the robbery.
Brian is upset when he learns Janice is going out on another date with Bob Willis. Janice says she’s tired of being taken for granted. If they’re a couple then he needs to buy her an engagement ring!
Sandy has spilt the beans on Philip to Meg, who is appalled. Jill tries to defend him, but when she goes to fetch him to defend himself she discovers he’s gone and left a goodbye note…
Episode status: Missing/Wiped.
EPISODE 32: Dec 15th Meg reads the note left by Philip to Jill and Sandy. In the letter, Philip says he had to leave urgently, but to trust him and he’ll be back. Jill suggests they do as he asks, but Meg says she can’t afford to, she’ll have to give the letter to the C.I.D.
Meg is in the sitting room doing her accounts when waitress Christine comes in for a chat. She says that she has a confession to make and she wants to tell Meg first incase the police do.
She has an illegitimate baby which she is trying to bring up as a single mother. She is living at home with her parents. They had tried to get her to marry the father of her child, but she says he’s a no-good tearaway. Meg is sympathetic and says such matters do not affect her job at the motel. (see notes at bottom of page)
At the reception, Jill and Sandy are playing detectives trying to work out who would steal the takings. Sandy is entirely convinced that Philip is the culprit while Jill thinks it was the unfriendly commercial traveller, but also notes other possibilities including Carlos, Dick, Christine and other guests.
In a car park in Birmingham Meg is seen sitting in her car reading the local newspaper. The passenger door opens and Philip gets in.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped.
EPISODE 33: Dec 16th Meg and Philip are talking in her car, in a car park, in Birmingham. This is the first time Philip is prepared to tell the real, full story, of what is going on with him. He tells her he deserted from the Army two years ago, because his wife ran off with another man. He’s an Irishman by the name of Michael Hoolihan. He was a radar instructor during Philips’s time as a Sergent in the Signals. He followed them to Ireland to confront them. Cornering them in a Cork hotel she admitted to stealing the £50 from the Sargent’s Mess Fund to pay for her getaway, and that she was in love with Hoolihan – not him. He was more brokenhearted about that than the stealing. After several different places, he has now discovered Doreen and her lover are in Birmingham, he is hoping to urge her into a confession to clear his name by offering a quick divorce and cash.
Dick and Owen are talking. Owen’s wife has taken a turn for the worse. Dick offers a sympathetic ear while Kitty is still attempting to find a new home for the Great Dane.
Meg has heard back from Mr. Payne, who has a friend on the editorial team of Silhouette Magazine. Meg tells Jill there may be an opportunity for her in London on the mag. Jill, to her mother’s surprise, isn’t particularly interested.
In the kitchen, Carlos is trying to learn the highway code, with the help of Christine and Sandy. He’s not getting much right, while at the shop parlour, Owen and Kitty are talking. He tells her how he is a retired schoolmaster, and had been a mathematics teacher before that. He hoped to retire properly with his wife somewhere by the coast. Bournemouth or Hove. But with her ill health, they’ve had to put it on hold.
The C.I.D has popped into the motel with an update on the motel robbery, they believe the thief is Alice Baker. Meg is flabbergasted. The officer says Baker is one of the best confidence tricksters on the road and she’s really called Rose Lennon.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped.
EPISODE 34: Dec 17th Victor says the Car Hire office is looking pretty good, and invites Dick to take a look at it. Kitty thanks Victor ‘for all he’s done to help Dick’ – leaving Victor a bit puzzled. Before she can say anything else Dick suggests they go right that moment to the office.
Later Brian presents Janice with an expensive engagement ring. She is delighted. Does this mean they really are properly together? She asks, he nods in confirmation. The future Mrs Janice Jarvis.
At the Night and Day Car Hire office, Mr. Drury is showing Victor Amos and Dick Jarvis around the place. Victor is explaining his plans and outlining the future of the partnership. Dick is left stunned when in passing Drury says he hopes Victor’s bank loan comes through quickly as sometimes they can take a while. Dick feels like he’s been taken for a mug.
At the motel reception, Meg and Kitty are discussing the robbery and are both relieved it wasn’t Dick. The conversation turns to Philip, Meg reveals the highlights of what he told her in Birmingham and how he’s married. Jill listening at the other side of the kitchen door is heartbroken.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped.
EPISODE 35: Dec 18th At the car hire office Dick and Victor are having a blazing row. Dicks is furious that he’s been lied to, Victor says he’ll make it up as soon as the partnership gets going Dick says no, he’s put the money in so it’s now his business; with the exception of the £200 deposit so Victor can have 10%.
At the motel, Sandy is buoyant as he shares over breakfast he got 85% out of 100 for his Algebra homework. (Colin really did it for him) Meg is very pleased. Jill however passes no congratulations; she asks Meg about the job in London, and whether she could see if there is still an opening for her. Meg says she’ll see what she can do.
Kitty gets a visit from a member of staff from the bank, she is puzzled. He says that there was an initialling missing from the shop deeds paperwork when Mr Jarvis handed them over for the mortgage last week. Stunned Kitty initials the bit ‘she’d missed’, spotting her forged signature. As there are customers in the shop she makes it appear she knew all about it.
In the motel kitchen, Meg enters and is surprised to find Philip sitting there waiting for her. He explains that now the police have caught the real thief he can come out of hiding. After all, she needs his help around the place. She says things are different and he would be best off handing himself in.
At the Night and Day car hire, Dick is on his own admiring his kingdom when Kitty furiously bursts in. She says this time he’s gone too far and she’ll be going to the bank first thing in the morning to tell them what he’s done.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped.
EPISODE 36: Dec 21st: There is silence as Dick has little to say on Kitty’s discovery that he’s forged her signature and stolen her deeds to the shop. She says she will tell the bank, as they’re bound to find out eventually anyway. He begs her not to he says he’s not a criminal – she begs to differ.
She throws past misadventures at him. Twenty years ago he clearly learned nothing from getting involved in a tinned meat business, a black market affair. This was when Brian was just a child. Dick offers up the excuse it was wartime. Kitty says it cost them, it cost baby things for Brian, it cost Lesley at two years old to wonder why she couldn’t have a winter coat. Kitty mocks his excuses, ‘that’s what everyone used to say; (Mimicking voice) ‘there’s a war on Mrs Jarvis’
In the motel kitchen Jill, Sandy and Carlos are talking about the differences between Christmas in England and Spain. Jill explains that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and leaves presents. Carlos explains in Spain the presents are only given on Dia de Los Reyes ‘The day of the King and Queen’. This happens on the twelfth night. Sandy says he’d hate to wait that long for a Christmas present.
Brian is invited to a meeting with his boss Mr. Rogers at the factory. He’s told that despite not getting a recent promotion, the management has noticed he’s a great worker and he is being put forward for a management training course in the new year. Brian accepts excitedly.
The thoughts of Christmas are continuing to be shared at the motel between Meg, Jill and Sandy. Sandy talks about how they’d wait on Christmas Day for dad (Charles Richardson) to arrive back home from work at the newspaper offices, and if he was late Meg was twitchy. This leads Meg to realise Carlos will be alone at Christmas. She finds out from him that his wife Josefina won’t be working at the Girls School over the festive season as it’s closed. ‘That settles it Carlos and Josefina are invited for a Richardson Christmas.’
At the shop, Kitty has been shown all the ins and outs of the Car Hire business and while she is far from happy, she will let Christmas pass before deciding what to do. Brian and Janice pop in and ask if they could have a small engagement party in the parlour soon. Dick thinks it’s a great idea. Kitty however says the shop is now open later due to the festive period so there just isn’t time for a party. Later both Dick and Kitty ask Meg, who declines due to the motel being so busy ‘any other time’.
Philip tries again to get back in Meg’s good books. her season of goodwill extends to him, and she says he can help out for the time being. Later Jill makes her advances on him once more; he says Meg’s only letting him stay until the new year, and then he’ll be gone – for good. She’s deflated. He asks her what is there for him to stay for anyway – so she shows him with a firm kiss on the lips. He pushes her away, ‘Don’t you care that I’m in love with you?’ she asks…
Episode status: Missing/Wiped
EPISODE 37: Dec 22nd Philip and Meg are putting up decorations in the motel foyer, she mentions that it won’t be much of a Christmas for him. He says things may be looking up – he’s arranged to meet his wayward wife Doreen tomorrow. Meg is also hoping for good news from Mr. Holland at the council, the decision on her alcohol licence is decided today.
Night and Day driver Ken brings Dick the biggest bunch of flowers he could buy. Dick explains they’re for Kitty. Kitty meanwhile is having a breakdown over the phone to Meg, she says something dreadful has happened, but can’t explain it on the phone. Meg says she’ll pop into Heathbury tomorrow and she can explain what the problem is. Meg also thinks they may be able to fit in the party after all for Janice and Brian, but nothing too fancy.
Mr Holland arrives at the motel to inform Meg that she will soon be able to open her public bar, the legal green light has been lit. Joe Withers, landlord at the nearby The Ancor pub didn’t make any objections. Meg’s delight is soon withered away when she learns she won’t get her licence officially until early next month. ‘No Christmas trade!’.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped
EPISODE 38: DEC 23rd Portia the Great Dane has perched herself on top of Dicks flowers, a gift intended for Kitty. Kitty however thinks the thought was sweet. Kitty decides they should keep the dog, there’s a bit of garden at the back, and she does liven up the place. She informs the police that they will be keeping the dog.
Philip arrives at Doreen’s house. They sit in awkward silence in her lounge. She notes she never expected to see him again. She mentions they had to leave Cork after his very public accusations, people were gossiping. He brings the conversation round to divorce and money – surely she would like both – in return for a statement-making it clear he is innocent of her crime. She says she has no intention of marrying Michael Hoolihan and she won’t under any circumstances admit to the stealing of the money.
Kitty tells Meg about the dirty forgery Dick has carried out. They both agree he would go to prison if the bank found out. Meg suggests Kitty makes sure the Car Hire business is a success to get her money back, and the only way to do that is to be involved after all it’s technically her company.
Episode status: Missing/Wiped
EPISODE 39: Dec 24th Christmas Eve: Carlos is busy working in the kitchen when a jar Sandy has placed flies open and a paper snake flies out landing in his sauce – he’s frustrated. Meg shoos Sandy off to his bedroom where he can’t cause any more trouble. Carlos is also fretting as Josefina is running late, Meg says as it’s Christmas Eve the trains may be slightly delayed and do not worry.
The foyer is filling up with guests and attendees of Brian and Janice’s engagement party; Meg managed to fit in after feeling sorry for all of Kitty’s problems. Jill welcomes the guests to the motel Kitty Jarvis and Mable Gifford (Janice’s mother) hit it off. George Gifford (Janice’s father) is impressed with Dick.
Josefina arrives at the motel but gets lost among the guests at the party in the foyer. Unable to find any assistance to take her to Carlos, Dick gives her a sherry and she begins to form ideas about the motel. Carlos declaring his turkey a wonder to behold says ‘Carlos Manuel Pablo Luis Raphael guarantee this party be a triumph’ and by the evening it was…
Episode status: Missing/Wiped
EPISODE 40: Dec 25th Christmas Day: The party was a huge success, Jill and Philip are tidying up the dining room. Jill, a little tipsy, declares she ‘feels gorgeous’. He reminds her he’ll soon be leaving – probably for good. She waves her mistletoe and suggests a farewell kiss is in order. Philip goes for a friendly peck and she gives another full-on snog.
The next morning Sandy is keen to have the presents open at breakfast; they always used to open them in the morning before the motel was there so why not now? Meg eventually gives in. Sandy has given her slippers, Jill a big woolly rabbit, that doubles as a ‘night things case’. Carlos interrupts to inform ‘Senora Richardson also has a gift from him’ she says he shouldn’t have, he says it is a joyful rare vase from Spain. When Meg turns it over she sees ‘Made In Birmingham’ on its rear, but doesn’t spoil the moment.
At The Crown Dick and landlord Harry are talking generally when Dick hears the voice of one of his drivers in the lounge. He confronts him about drinking while at work, the fallout sees Ken suspended and Dick breaking the bad news to Kitty that he’ll have to do the driving shifts today.
Meg is surprised to find ‘Father Christmas’ sleeping in the foyer, once awoken she recognises the face ‘Jackie Wardell?’ He explains he’s been to the hospital to entertain the sick kids, and along with being in Snow White panto in Birmingham, (where the seven dwarfs have been driving him mad dressed like The Beatles and loud guitars) due to all his entertaining, he’d nodded off. He has come looking for a room for some rest.
Meg, with Tony Britton and Bert Brownbill (Who was playing Jack Wardell), and Carlos turn to the camera and wish the viewers a very Merry Christmas.
Episode Status: Missing/Wiped.
Notes of Interest
The first appearance of Sandy’s friend Colin (Paul Hodkinson) is episode 22. Episode 26 is the first appearance of Portia the Great Dane, this dog was David Fennell’s own pet. It is also the first appearance of waitress Christine Fuller (Alex Marshall) although she isn’t billed in this edition in listings magazines as she doesn’t speak.
Episode 32 on December 15th saw 1000s of complaints to Ulster TV, ATV and Border concerning the programme ‘promoting illegitimate children and unmarried mothers’. Hazel Adair and Peter Ling said in an ATV statement: “Crossroads aims to reflect real people and everyday life. Some storylines may be difficult viewing for certain viewers however the programme will, and must, reflect the world in which we live today..”
ATV released the statement with the full backing of bosses Lew Grade and Bill Ward.
In episode 37 Graham Weston appears in his second Crossroads role as Ken Church – a driver with the car hire firm. He had appeared as ‘1st Leathercoat’ in November. He was most famous for his late 1970s role as Garage Manager for Go-Col Colin Dutton. In the same episode, we learn that from the licencing green-light that the nearest pub to the motel is The Anchor run by landlord Joe Withers, who didn’t attempt to object.
Episode 39 sees the first appearance of Carlos’ wife Josefina played by Jill Betts.
Episode 40, airing on Christmas Day, sees Tony Britton and Bert Brownbill feature.
With thanks to John Drury for additional TV Times cast/writer credits missing from the ITC Script details. Synopsis written by Mike Garrett for The Crossroads Years.
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