Tales of the Unexpected

Tales of the Unexpected

Short dramas each with a twist of some kind; across the first four seasons most of these are from short stories by Roald Dahl.

Genre: ComedyDramaHorror

Cast:Roald DahlAndrew RayForbes CollinsRichard JohnsonJoan CollinsSheila GishJohn MillsLucy GutteridgeCyril LuckhamMark LewisDouglas LambertJean KitsonGiles PhibbsRichard FoxtonPat LewisRoy MarsdenAnthony ValentineColin Blakely


1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ Royal Jelly

Sat, Mar 1, 1980

Bee-keeper Albert Taylor and his wife Mabel are concerned that their baby daughter is underweight and seems reluctant to take any nourishment until, that is, Albert decides to feed her on Royal Jelly from his hives. He feeds himself on it as well, becoming almost addicted to it and with very macabre results.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ Skin

Sat, Mar 8, 1980

In post-war Paris Drioli, an elderly down-and-out, sees a painting for sale by his old friend Soutine, who is now a best-selling artist. Thirty years earlier Soutine tattooed a portrait of Drioli's wife onto his back and it has become extremely valuable. But it is on his back and therefore worthless. How come it is eventually on public exhibition?

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ Galloping Foxley

Sat, Mar 15, 1980

On a train journey William Perkins is convinced that the passenger seated opposite him is 'Galloping' Foxley, who made his life a misery when they were at school together and relives the unpleasant experience before the stranger identifies himself.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ The Hitch-Hiker

Sat, Mar 22, 1980

American author Paul Duveen gives a mysterious Irishman a lift, and in return receives a series of boons and banes.

5Season 2

S2.E5 ∙ Poison

Sat, Mar 29, 1980

Harry, a young teacher working in India but about to return home is petrified when a venomous snake creeps into his bed and sits on his belly. His friend Timber happens by and they call a local doctor. The snake is parted from Harry's body and the others leave but.

6Season 2

S2.E6 ∙ Fat Chance

Sat, Apr 5, 1980

Legal secretary Frances is having an affair with Pharmacist John Burge and is tiring of him not leaving his wife. Can John come up with a professional solution to the problem?

7Season 2

S2.E7 ∙ Taste

Sat, Apr 12, 1980

Richard Pratt, a wine expert, wagers he can identify any wine.

8Season 2

S2.E8 ∙ My Lady Love, My Dove

Sat, Apr 19, 1980

The Beauchamps have invited a young couple stay with them and Pamela Beauchamp has an idea to spice up her life.

9Season 2

S2.E9 ∙ Georgy Porgy

Sat, Apr 26, 1980

Attractive vicar George Duckworth had an unusual childhood which leads to problems with the insatiable spinsters of his parish.

10Season 2

S2.E10 ∙ Depart in Peace

Sat, May 3, 1980

Hearing from his old friend Gladys Ponsonby of the talented if unconventional artist John Roydon, art dealer Lionel gets Roydon to visualize Lionel's fiancee Janet nude and paint her accordingly. Janet, however, does not see the joke, for which Lionel pays bitterly, in the literal sense.

11Season 2

S2.E11 ∙ The Umbrella Man

Sat, May 10, 1980

A man's umbrella scheme and an affair become entwined yielding unexpected results.

12Season 2

S2.E12 ∙ Genesis & Catastrophe

Sat, May 17, 1980

In 1889, Austrian customs officer Alois is desperate his wife Klara will pull through a difficult labour and both she and baby will survive.

13Season 2

S2.E13 ∙ Mr Botibol's First Love

Sat, May 24, 1980

Mr Botibol is socially inept and, by his own admission, a failure. But he's a rich man who has dreams of being a great conductor.

14Season 2

S2.E14 ∙ Back for Christmas

Sat, May 31, 1980

Surgeon James loves his orchids and other ladies. A trip to America gives him and his wife an opportunity for improvements.

15Season 2

S2.E15 ∙ The Orderly World of Mr. Appleby

Sat, Jun 7, 1980

Arthur Appleby has been widowed three times, and run three antique shops in different towns. He has just opened a fourth.

16Season 2

S2.E16 ∙ The Man at the Top

Sat, Jun 14, 1980

Hardy, a young sailor down on his luck, is left stranded when his ship sails without him so he robs a man but accidentally kills him. His girlfriend Diane informs him that the one man who can help him, the 'man at the top' is Sam Madrid. However, Hardy is in for a shock when he realizes that he has already met Madrid.