Flickers

Name: Flickers
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Released: 1980-09-17
Rating: 7
Cast: Bob Hoskins, Frances de la Tour, Fraser Cains, Philip Madoc, Sheila Reid

“The British silent movie era in a quirky MASTERPIECE THEATRE drama”

★ 7 /10 (4) • 1980

Comedy Drama

Creator Roy Clarke

Director Cyril Coke

Screenplay Roy Clarke

Arnie Cole and his wife Maud are an odd couple, having entered into the state of matrimony for purely practical reasons. However, their marriage of convenience gives way to genuine partnership as Maud becomes caught up in Arnie's ambitions to start his own film production company.

Seasons

Episodes

Country

United Kingdom

Status

Ended

Cast

Granville Saxton

Max Legendre · 6 eps

Dickie Arnold

Corky Brown · 6 eps

Tom Cotcher

Hector · 6 eps

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Valerie Holliman

Cora Brown · 6 eps

Jim Hooper

Percy Bowden · 6 eps

Fraser Cains

Llewellyn · 6 eps

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Joanna Foster

Clara Brewer · 6 eps

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Sheri Shepstone

Violet · 6 eps

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Teresa Codling

Dotty Brewer · 6 eps

Gwendoline Harper · 3 eps

Hugh Walters

Captain Sandbeck · 2 eps

Teddy Turner

Eddy Marco · 2 eps

Stephan Chase

Charles Venables · 1 eps

Reviews

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Where to Watch

Streaming

Amazon Prime Video

Shout! Factory

The Roku

Episode Guide

Episode 1

17 Sep 198050 min

In 1910, Arnie Cole struggles to make ends meet whilst operating a travelling fleapit cinema business. Realising there is more to be made in the burgeoning film industry, he sets up his own company. Things go off to a inauspicious start when his part-time squeeze Letty is arrested when they try to illegally film a horse race. Desperate, he gets an intriguing offer from Lady Maud, who has her own reasons for seeking a partnership, that latterly become apparent.

Episode 2

24 Sep 198050 min

Arnie and Maud arrange to wed at the local registry office. However, the big day comes off to an awkward start when Arnie and Lllwelyn arrived tired and dishevelled. Maud subsequently returns home, whilst Arnie decides to track down actors and crew to make his first picture, among themCorky Brown, an alcoholic comedian; his agent Max Legendre, an ambitious but pretentious director; and the Brewer family who rely on their child star daughter Dotty. However, the contract negotiations for Arnie prove protracted and fraught.

Episode 3

01 Oct 198050 min

Work begins on Arnie's first picture, but Corky's alcoholism becomes increasingly problematic and Max clashes frequently with the crew, leading to on-set conflict. In order to raise much needed capital, Arnie suggests to Maud about selling her house, to which she strongly objects. Meanwhile, Clara Brewer is determined to break away from her family and establish a career as an actress, even if it means posing for nude photographs.

Episode 4

08 Oct 198050 min

Months later, Maud has given birth to her child. Max is tiring of producing comedy shorts and encourages Arnie to commission a six-reel costume picture – a romantic adventure story about a highwayman, in order to cash in on the growing demand for longer films. Production proves fraught and runs over budget due to Max's demands for historical accuracy, further exacerbated when he casts theatrical actress Gwendoline Harper for a lead role, but she proves difficult and tempremental. Needing money to keep his business afloat, Arnie approaches Letty and persuades her to work for him.

Episode 5

15 Oct 198050 min

Maud and Llwelywn are displeased with Letty's presence at the studio, while Arnie promises her a part in his new picture, yet she mistakenly has other ideas about his intentions. He has enough trouble with the over-demanding Gwendoline Harper, whom insists that her leading man Gilbert Winslow should spend more time with her outside of work; Gilbert is less than keen about the prospect. Arnie decides to organise a party, in order to impress bank manager Mr Crane in the hope that he'll receive a loan.

Episode 6

22 Oct 198050 min

After the disastrous party, Arnie vents on his actors individually. Struggling to raise capital on his vastly over-budgeted costume film, he decides to drown his sorrows, yet Maud is isn't ready to give in and later surprises Arnie when she informs him that Mr Crane has decided to give them the loan after admitting he found the party enjoyable. Meanwhile, Letty is heartbroken when she disovers what Arnie really had in mind. Just as things start to pick at the studio, a disaster occurs that looks set to turn all their dreams into ashes.