The Franchise Affair episode 4 - starring Patrick Malahide (1988) - mystery detective - video Dailymotion

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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.

Transcript

00:00🎵

00:31Inspector Grant, I'm not trying to minimize the crime you're accusing my clients of,

00:36but it is a misdemeanor. It's not a felony.

00:40Now, why do you need a warrant for their arrest? Surely you could serve them with a summons to appear.

00:45In cases where the crime is aggravated, and my superiors take a grave view of the present one, a warrant's issued.

00:51The girl was missing for over three weeks, Mr Blair, and she'd been badly knocked about.

00:55But what do you gain from an arrest? There's no question of my clients not being there to answer the charge,

01:00and they're not likely to commit a similar offense.

01:02I'm sorry, but my superiors have decided upon a warrant. Your clients will be up at the police court on Monday.

01:09I'm sorry. Do sit down.

01:19I take it this means you have fresh evidence?

01:22Conclusive, we think.

01:24May I know what it is? Of course.

01:26We've found the man who saw Betty Kane getting into the car at the bus stop.

01:30Getting into a car? Very well, getting into a car.

01:34She really did miss that Larborough Birmingham coach.

01:37Our witness says it passed him about half a mile down the Sherrill Road.

01:41A few moments later, when he came within sight of the bus stop, she was still there waiting.

01:45He saw the car stop by her, saw her get in, saw it drive away.

01:49But not who was driving? No.

01:52We also have a girl from a local farm who used to clean for the Sharps.

01:56She'll swear that she heard screams coming from the attic in April,

02:00at precisely the time Betty Kane says she was held prisoner.

02:04This girl from the farm, it's not Rose Glynn, by any chance?

02:11Yes, it is.

02:13Did she volunteer the information about the screaming?

02:16Not to us, no. She spoke about it to friends.

02:19But we have evidence that she was talking about these screams even before we knew about Betty Kane.

02:31Bob.

02:33You've been very frank.

02:35I'd like to be equally frank.

02:37Your superiors have no knowledge of local conditions.

02:40Now, thanks to this rubbish,

02:42feeling in Milford against the Sharps is running very strong.

02:45If you arrest these women, you'll have to keep them in custody until Monday.

02:49If the franchise is left unoccupied, it'll be a wreck within 24 hours.

02:54Have your superiors thought of that?

02:56There is something in what Mr Blair says.

02:58When word of an arrest gets about, there's bound to be trouble around the house.

03:08Why didn't Grant come with us?

03:10You don't need Scotland Yard to serve a summons.

03:12That's like asking a top surgeon to open a boil.

03:17He's not a happy man.

03:19You've got him out of an arrest.

03:21No, I think it's more than that.

03:23He seemed to take a very personal interest in executing that warrant.

03:28Look, keep this to yourself, all right?

03:31Grant's well known at the Yard for his good judgment of people.

03:35I think he believed more in these franchise women than he did in the girl.

03:40Now that his famous judgment's been proved right,

03:42he can't forgive the Sharps for pulling the wool over his eyes.

04:09I don't believe it.

04:11You mean you're charging us with this thing?

04:13I'm afraid so, Miss Sharpe.

04:15But why? Why now?

04:17Inspector Hallam has come to serve a summons on us, Mother.

04:20A summons?

04:21To appear at the police court on Monday morning

04:23to answer a charge of abduction and assault.

04:28Do we have to accept this?

04:29I'm afraid there's no alternative.

04:33I think I ought to tell you, Miss Sharpe, in case he doesn't,

04:37but for Mr Blair here, that would have been a warrant for your arrest.

04:41You have him to thank for the fact you'll be sleeping in your own beds tonight

04:44and not in a police cell.

04:50How are you going to get back to Milford?

04:52Oh, I'll walk down to the main road and wait for a bus.

04:55Sorry about that.

04:56Thanks for the vote of confidence.

04:58They're luckier than they deserve getting you.

05:03Can you be ready with your defence by Monday?

05:06What defence my clients have? I've got to be ready by tea time.

05:15I'm afraid I've been rather ungracious.

05:17The summons was a shock.

05:20Miss Sharpe, I'll put this as tactfully as a country lawyer knows how.

05:23We don't seem to be getting on very well, do we?

05:25Would you rather I bowed out?

05:29I'd rather we called a truce.

05:33A truce, then?

05:35I don't think we could be better served by anyone else.

05:38I don't suppose anybody else would be fool enough to try.

05:43I could kill that bloody girl when I think of what she's done to us.

05:46I rather look forward to going into court.

05:48If only to see Miss Betty Kane discredited.

05:51Discredited in court?

05:53You've got one tiny piece of evidence for us, not one.

05:57An evidence just blossoming for that brat.

06:00Truth has a validity of its own.

06:02Well, Dreyfus doesn't find it very valid.

06:05Oh, he did in the end.

06:06Frankly, Mother, I don't look forward to a life in prison waiting for truth to demonstrate its validity.

06:13Well, what happens now?

06:15You'll appear in front of the bench on Monday.

06:17Since we have no adequate defence, you'll be committed for trial.

06:21I'll ask for bail.

06:23That would at least mean you could stay here until the assizes at Norton.

06:26What I don't understand is why this is happening now.

06:29Because the police believe they have the corroborative evidence they need.

06:32They found a man who'll swear he saw Betty Kane picked up from the bus stop.

06:36And the girl who used to work here will swear she heard screams coming from your attic.

06:41Now, that is much more serious, I'm afraid.

06:44Rose Glynn?

06:46Didn't you tell me she only came here for a few days last year to help you move in?

06:51Yes.

06:52And yet here she is saying she heard screams coming from your attic in April.

06:57Was she here in April?

06:59Yes, she was.

07:01We had a burst pipe under the sink and we called her in to clear up the mess.

07:05She was here for a few hours one afternoon.

07:09Oh, dear.

07:10Bit of a facer, isn't it?

07:12Yes, I'm afraid it is.

07:14Well, you really are faced with a possibility that we may have been lying.

07:17It's Rose Glynn that's the liar.

07:19And a thief.

07:21She stole Marion's watch.

07:23I only noticed it had gone after she'd left that afternoon.

07:27I'd taken it off in case it got wet.

07:29It wasn't the first thing she'd stolen.

07:31When she came here last year, things began to disappear.

07:34It was some silver from my purse, a pair of Marion's stockings.

07:38We needed her so badly, I'm afraid we turned a blind eye.

07:41The watch was different.

07:43My father gave it to me.

07:45Did you speak to the girl about it?

07:47We went over to the farm the next morning.

07:49Silly of us, really. Knew we wouldn't get it back.

07:52How did she react?

07:53She denied it, of course.

07:55Went very pink and flounced a bit.

07:57Nonsense. She went beetroot red and bridled like a turkey cock.

07:59She's a bad lot, that girl.

08:01Largely thanks to her, the police think they've got this case tied up with red ribbon.

08:07If you'd told me about Rose Glynn last week,

08:10I'd have given us time to establish a prior link between her and Betty Kane.

08:15I'm sorry.

08:16At least that would explain how Miss Kane comes to know so much about the inside of this house.

08:21I just didn't think it had any relevance.

08:24Is there anything else you haven't told me?

08:28Oh, we do have just one tiny confession to make.

08:32At least Mother does.

08:34About the dog.

08:44Now, I'm sorry, old boy, you've lost me.

08:46The dog, Neville?

08:48It's a spaniel, what of it?

08:50Betty Kane says she was whipped with a dog lead.

08:53The sharps tell the police they don't have a dog, which is true, they don't anymore.

08:57That spaniel was run over in London three years ago.

09:01But they hung on to the dog lead.

09:04Tricky.

09:06What is trickier?

09:07The old lady thought she'd save everyone a lot of bother by burning the evidence.

09:15Robert, do you believe Betty Kane's story?

09:19Do you?

09:20No.

09:21I think the sharps are telling the truth.

09:24You, Neville?

09:25You sure you don't believe the sharps because you want to?

09:31An ex-policeman, would you say?

09:35Ramsden?

09:40Mr. Ramsden?

09:41Robert Blair.

09:43My partner, Neville Benners.

09:45It might be an idea if we went back to the office.

09:48This place is crawling with press, I'm afraid.

09:50Very sensible, Mr. Blair.

10:05I should think, Mr. Blair, on the whole, all things considered,

10:10this young lady from Birmingham is going to be wonderful in the witness box.

10:13Yes, I'm afraid you're right, Mr. Ramsden.

10:15Now let me see if I've got all this quite right in my head.

10:17We're talking about two lonely women.

10:20Not very well off.

10:21Saddled with a large, isolated house.

10:24One of them's too old for housework.

10:26The other one hates it.

10:28According to the police, they go mildly potty and capture someone to be their servant.

10:32It's their bad luck the person they capture happens to be a blameless schoolgirl

10:36because everyone is going to accept her story rather than theirs.

10:40I'm sure you'll recall a parallel case, Mr. Blair,

10:43where everyone believed the nice little girl's story

10:46and then were very thoroughly led up the garden path.

10:48A parallel? When?

10:501754, Mr. Bennet. Rex versus Canning.

10:53Oh.

10:55The nature of alibis hasn't changed much in two centuries, Mr. Bennet.

10:58So you think Betty Kane's story is an alibi?

11:01A complete invention from start to finish, I'd say.

11:03Something to do with the eyes, you see.

11:05The eyes?

11:06As a result of my observation over 20 years as an inquiry agent,

11:09the eyes are set wrong.

11:11Look as if they belong to different faces.

11:13Always a sign of a plausible liar or a murderer.

11:17I'd say she was over sex, too.

11:20Now, it seems to me, Mr. Blair, that what you need to know

11:24is whether Betty Kane ever met this girl Rose Glynn in Larborough when she was on holiday.

11:29Absolutely.

11:30But it's even more important to find out where Betty Kane actually was

11:33when she said she was at the franchise.

11:35Yes.

11:37Well, in that case, we'd be better off forgetting Monday

11:40and trying to turn up evidence in time for the assizes.

11:43Do you want me to start checking airports and travel agents, too?

11:46No, there's no point. She hadn't got a passport.

11:48She could have travelled on someone else's, sir.

11:50It was a wife, you mean.

11:52She was only 15.

11:54It's those eyes, Mr. Blair.

11:56Over sexed.

11:58There's bound to be a man in it somewhere.

12:05Here he is.

12:08Excuse me.

12:14Take a moment.

12:17Change of crew, sir.

12:22Excuse, please.

12:24I must change trains.

12:27You must change trains at crew.

12:33I'll have to tell them I'm in London.

12:42It is hot, is it not?

12:44I think perhaps today is the day you have your summer.

13:02Betty Kane.

13:13Betty Kane.

13:18How did he get Betty Kane?

13:26You should have been a decorator, Stan.

13:28You're wasted in the garage.

13:30Not a very professional job, but it'll have to do for now.

13:34Saw enough of this stuff in Italy.

13:36Quite used to most things out there.

13:38Car designs, yank transport, even the bloody eye ties.

13:41Never got used to slogans on walls, though.

13:43I've got a phobia from slogans on walls.

13:51Are you, uh, leaving one of your boys out here tonight?

13:54What for?

13:56They've had their little bit of fun.

13:58I'm not happy about them being in that house alone.

14:00It's like a beleaguered fortress.

14:02I'm not happy about it either, but they simply refuse to be moved.

14:05Well, if Hallam hasn't got the force to deal with it,

14:07perhaps one of us should volunteer to sleep there at night.

14:11I called in at the franchise this evening.

14:13What for?

14:14Well, Marion rang the office after you left.

14:16Wanted some shopping done.

14:18They haven't been out of the house since Monday, you know.

14:20I think they were getting a little bored with apples and cold ham.

14:23After what I overheard in the bank this morning,

14:25I'm quite sure the milkman won't be calling at the franchise anymore.

14:29Those poor women.

14:31It's a bit of a sea change, isn't it?

14:33Last week it was those people. Now it's poor women.

14:36They're not at all my cup of tea, Robert.

14:38But in my opinion, anyone in danger of going to prison deserves compassion.

14:42I had a lovely time last night.

14:44I found a book on torture and stayed awake till 2 o'clock

14:47choosing which one to use on Betty Kane.

14:50I'm afraid most people seem to think she's been persecuted enough already.

14:54Have you seen this week's parish magazine?

14:56I suppose the vicar's in his element.

14:58I've never seen him so pleased with himself.

15:00I'm not sure his sermon last Sunday wasn't an incitement to violence.

15:04All criminals, according to that idiot, are persecuted angels.

15:07I suppose the congregation was full of reporters.

15:10I don't know about that. It was certainly full of Mildred Pinner and her awful cronies.

15:14I'm sure that woman approves of lynching.

15:16She's doing her best to provoke one.

15:18Oh, God, listen to this.

15:20There are occasions when violence is but a symptom of a deep social unrest and insecurity.

15:26And it is not to be marveled at that some of the more passionate spirits

15:31are moved to personal protest.

15:33I could brain the bloody man.

15:35As if we didn't have enough to cope with without that idiot putting in his sixth pennant.

15:42I'm really beginning to hate this town.

15:45They won't be happy until the sharps are doing hard labour.

15:48It's bad enough they should have to go into the dock.

15:52I think we should forget about the magistrate's court.

15:55Bank everything on their sizes.

15:57Forget about it. It'll be a public spectacle.

16:00So, the shorter time they spend in the dock, the better.

16:04No, we'll listen to the police evidence, reserve our defence, and make an application for bail.

16:11Or we may get a dismissal.

16:12We don't want a dismissal.

16:14A half decision like that isn't going to help the sharps at all.

16:16We need to discredit Betty Kane and open court.

16:19Do you think Kevin McDermott could be lured down here to defend them?

16:22Wasn't he at school with you?

16:24They could try.

16:25Even if he's interested, he'd probably just prime one of his dog's bodies to do it.

16:30I'd better be making tracks.

16:32Thank you for a splendid meal.

16:34I can do better than cold meat and boiled potatoes, you know.

16:36Just give me more notice next time.

16:39Do you know what I found her doing this evening?

16:41Chopping firewood.

16:43Ten thousand nitwits like Mildred Pinner have nothing to do but sit back and have the polish on their predatory nails changed.

16:51And Marion chops wood.

16:53It's obscene that that woman should be wasting her vitality on household drudgery.

16:59Absolutely, Neville.

17:01She ought to be hacking her way through jungles or storming barricades.

17:04You're very tart tonight, old man.

17:06Am I?

17:07Pure Angostura.

17:08Good night.

17:09Not a good idea for us, actually.

17:11I'll see you tomorrow in a more fragrant mood, I hope.

17:14Good night.

17:27So it's no longer just a business affair, is it?

17:32What's really troubling you, my dear, isn't going to be resolved in the courtroom, is it?

17:38I'm so sorry.

17:40I had no idea until tonight that you felt that way about me, Sharp.

17:44I didn't realize it myself until just now.

17:47Imagine me jealous of Neville.

17:52Keep on saying your prayers, won't you?

17:54Nothing short of a miracle can save them now.

17:57The trouble with you, my dear, is that you haven't enough faith in yourself.

18:11Chaplin.

18:30Gladwell.

18:32Chadwick.

18:36Chadwick.

18:38Bernard.

18:40Chadwick.

19:08When's the jury going to make her? She looks about 12 years old, for God's sake.

19:12I don't know if she's had any stage offers.

19:15Morning.

19:16John.

19:18Is Grant here?

19:19No, not yet.

19:20Hello, Bobby darling.

19:21Good morning.

19:22Do you know, it's a wonder to me how so many people can find so little to do on a Monday morning.

19:27Milford High Street must be deserted.

19:38Hello.

19:54Not the usual bunch of loafers waiting for the pubs to open.

19:57Vultures.

19:58Look at the bloody press. They're practically drooling.

20:01The papers will have a field day tomorrow.

20:08Wait. Wait.

20:25Even if they're discharged, nothing's ever going to compensate them for this circus.

20:34Silence in court.

20:37Silence in court.

20:55Mrs. Augustine Sharp.

20:58Miss Marion Sharp.

21:03Inspector Halloran.

21:04Two charges, Your Worship. One of unlawful imprisonment and one of assault.

21:08Might we be allowed to sit down again, please? My mother is rather frail.

21:11I'm nothing of the sort. I shall remain on my feet for as long as you wish me to remain on my feet.

21:16You may sit down.

21:20Inspector Halloran.

21:22On the night of the 20th of April last, a schoolgirl, Elizabeth Kane,

21:27missing from home since the 28th of March, a period of three weeks and three days,

21:32was found in a distressed state, badly beaten and bruised,

21:35and wearing only a thin cotton dress and a pair of shoes.

21:43This room is very drab, Miss Tuffer.

21:47Post-war England is drab, Mr. Heseltine.

21:51And rationed.

21:54Where's the boy?

21:56In court. Mr. Robert may need errands to be run.

22:00And did you mend all the bed linen that brought you?

22:03Not that night, no.

22:04Why was that?

22:07Take your time. Just tell me in your own words.

22:11I was too stiff from the whipping she gave me.

22:15I mended them the next day, but the old one said my sewing was bad

22:18and I'd have to do it all again or have no food.

22:21They starved you?

22:23My fingers were cold. I couldn't hold the needle.

22:26The old one hit me with her stick and I got blood on the sheets.

22:29And that made her worse.

22:31She kept hitting me.

22:34Now, Betty.

22:36Do you recognize the two women in the dark?

22:39Yes.

22:40Are they the same women who detained and beat you?

22:43Yes.

22:45Thank you, my dear.

22:47Good God, even he succumbed.

22:50Mr. Blair, do you wish to cross-examine?

22:53Thank you, sir. I have no questions.

22:59Do you see what I want for him? It's a nice, ordinary girl.

23:03Someone who will give him five children and a round of golf on Sundays.

23:10What he wants for himself is this sharp woman.

23:14I think that might be the biggest mistake he's ever made.

23:17Your boy's not very happy, my darlings.

23:20He does need watching over.

23:23He will try and help, won't you?

23:26Who grows the bloody?

23:37Little slut.

23:38Who's that boy? I've seen him before somewhere.

23:41It's the Wallis boy.

23:42Who's that boy? I've seen him before somewhere.

23:45It's the Wallis boy.

23:47Runs errands for the butcher in Carter's Lane.

23:49There was some trouble last year over his motorbike.

23:52That's it.

23:53He and his cronies were hanging about outside the franchise last week.

23:57Take the Bible in your right hand and repeat after me.

23:59I swear by Almighty God,

24:02the evidence I shall give

24:04will be the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth.

24:07So help me God.

24:08Give me your full name.

24:10Louis Felicity.

24:39That wasn't necessary, Miss Glynn.

24:42Well.

24:44There's screams and screams, aren't there?

24:47Screams like when you're on the Big Dipper.

24:49And other like screams when you get your lip bit.

24:52But this were a different sort.

24:54Sort of really scared screaming.

24:56You were in the kitchen and you say you heard screaming coming from the attic.

25:00I weren't in the kitchen.

25:02I'm in the hall going home.

25:04And I didn't say the attic, did I?

25:06I said upstairs.

25:07I heard screaming coming from a long way off upstairs.

25:11And then she came down all la-di-da.

25:14You're referring to Miss Sharp?

25:15Yeah, her.

25:17She told me to go, so I went.

25:20I'd gone even if she'd said to stay.

25:26Ma'am.

25:28Thank you, sir.

25:29I've no questions.

25:31Thank you, sir.

25:32I've no questions.

25:43I've never felt so bloody inadequate, Robert.

25:45I don't think we should have given in so easily.

25:47I have considerably more faith in a judgment framed outside their home town.

25:51Joe, we've simply reserved our defense, that's all.

25:54What defense? We have two weeks before the trial and no defense whatsoever.

25:58You know, that trial is quite extraordinary.

26:00In my experience, the true criminal has two unvarying characteristics.

26:04Monstrous vanity and colossal selfishness.

26:07Betty Kane displayed neither this morning.

26:10Your only experience as criminal's mother is from detective novels.

26:14Thank you for arranging surety for our bail.

26:20Well, I don't suppose going to prison these days is any more punitive than a third-rate public school.

26:25There's no question of you going to prison.

26:27Of course there is, Mr. Blair.

26:28Today was only the postponement of the inevitable.

26:30Well, we all know that.

The Franchise Affair episode 4 - starring Patrick Malahide (1988) - mystery detective

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