Tales of the Unexpected

(1979–88)

1 1 1 1 1
| TV Programme | United Kingdom | Colour | Comedy, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
| Stars: Roald Dahl, John Mills, John Alderton
Today at 5.30pm on Sky Arts HD (Episode: Parson’s Pleasure)

Star-studded sinister and amusing stories, each with a twist in the tale, created by Roald Dahl

Featured series cast

(130)
Roald Dahl
Himself – Introduced by
(8 episodes)
Screenshot from the 1980 ‘Galloping Foxley’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (1) featuring John Mills
Sam Morrissey / The Man / William Perkins
(3 episodes)
John Alderton
Rev George Duckworth / Robert Sandy
(2 episodes)
Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) | Bosom Friends screenshot (6) | Rachel Kempson
Rachel Kempson
Nell Bridges
(1 episode)
Ian Holm
Alan Corwin
(1 episode)
Joss Ackland
Colonel George Peregrine
(1 episode)
Glamorous British film star Phyllis Calvert wears a shawl as she smokes a cigarette. A 1940s studio publicity photo for Madonna of the Seven Moons (1945).
Mabel Ince
(1 episode)
Photograph of British actor, Anthony Quayle (1)
Kyros Kassoulas
(1 episode)
Photograph of British actor, Robert Morley (1)
Henry Knox
(1 episode)
Photograph of British actor, Peter Cushing (1)
Karl Von Baden
(1 episode)
Joan Collins, English actress, wears a beret
Joan Collins
Clare Duckworth / Julia Roach / Natalia Turton
(3 episodes)
British actor, John Gielgud, a GB star
Cyril Boggis / Jelks
(2 episodes)
Julie Harris
Mrs Foster
(1 episode)
Michael Harbour
Oliver Platt
(1 episode)
Pauline Collins
Eve Peregrine
(1 episode)
Andrew Ray
Harry Pope
(1 episode)
David Healy
Jack Harrison
(1 episode)
Nigel Hawthorne
Charles Drummond
(1 episode)
Joyce Redman
Linda Knox
(1 episode)
Anthony Higgins
Rudolf Cassan
(1 episode)
Screenshot from the 1981 ‘Bosom Friends’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (5) featuring Joan Greenwood
Emma Adkins
(1 episode)
British actress Wendy Hiller in a photograph from Carol Reed’s 1951 film, Outcast of the Islands
Louisa
(1 episode)
Anna Neagle, British actress, in a publicity photo wears a pearl necklace and a black dress
Fanny Soane
(1 episode)
Photograph of British actor, Thorley Walters (1)
Harry Gold
(1 episode)
British actor, Roland Culver
Mr Foster / Sir Alex Bullen
(2 episodes)
Screenshot from the 1980 ‘Galloping Foxley’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (2) featuring Anthony Steel
‘Timber’ / The Stranger
(2 episodes)
Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) | Bosom Friends screenshot (4) | Nat Jackley
Nat Jackley
Mr Deacon
(1 episode)
Joseph Cotten
Edward
(1 episode)
Carol Leader
Daphne
(1 episode)
Michael Aldridge
Sir Basil Turton
(1 episode)
Bernard Miles
Mr Rummins
(1 episode)
June Ritchie
Jenny Morrissey
(1 episode)
Sheila Burrell
Lady Eleanor Benson
(1 episode)
John Carson
Arthur
(1 episode)
Alison Fiske
Betty Sandy
(1 episode)
Gary Bond
Max de Marechal
(1 episode)
Raymond Francis
Mr Peckham
(1 episode)
John Bailey
Winterluck
(1 episode)
Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) | Bosom Friends screenshot (7) | Aaron Shirley
Aaron Shirley
Mr Brown
(1 episode)
Angus MacKay
Walker
(1 episode)
Phil Brown
F Milton Willis
(1 episode)
Jan Francis
Leila
(1 episode)
Paul Williamson
Harry, the Solicitor
(1 episode)
Peter Bowles
Major Haddock
(1 episode)
Paul Spurrier
Young William Perkins
(1 episode)
Judy Geeson
Sandra
(1 episode)
Lee Montague
Mr Storker
(1 episode)
Edward Burnham
Henry Bliss
(1 episode)
Eleanor Bron
Polly Knox
(1 episode)
Michael Gambon
Andrew
(1 episode)
Jonathan Coy
William Haddock
(1 episode)
Lally Bowers
Miss Elphinstone
(1 episode)
Lynette Davies
Sophie Kassoulas
(1 episode)
Leonard Preston
Leighton
(1 episode)
Andrew Bicknell
Gunnar Macker
(1 episode)
Patricia Browning
Ward Sister
(1 episode)
Jeremy Longhurst
Car Driver
(1 episode)
Geoffrey Chater
James Hamilton
(1 episode)
Gareth Thomas
Telfer
(1 episode)
Paul Herzberg
John Bannister
(1 episode)
Jonathan Scott-Taylor
Young Bruce Foxley
(1 episode)
Saeed Jaffrey
Dr Kunzru
(1 episode)
Godfrey James
Claud
(1 episode)
David Hanson
Winford Stark
(1 episode)
Brian Tipping
Head Waiter
(1 episode)
Jennifer Hilary
Wendy
(1 episode)
Shirley Cain
Sister Wyman
(1 episode)
Carlos Douglas
Sous-Chef
(1 episode)
Amanda Redman
Pat
(1 episode)
Matthew Francis
Von Baden as a Student
(1 episode)
Fanny by Gaslight (1944) publicity photograph of British actress Margaretta Scott (1)
Lady Birdwell
(1 episode)
Anthony Bailey
Arthur
(1 episode)
Frank Gatliff
Thomas Keyes
(1 episode)
John Horsley
Giles Rowley
(1 episode)
Carmen Silvera
Carmen La Rosa
(1 episode)
Anthony Woodruff
Housemaster
(1 episode)
Harry Jones
Bert Rummins
(1 episode)
Jason Norman
Billy Thompson
(1 episode)
Stuart Turton
Wine Waiter
(1 episode)
John Rees
Clerk
(1 episode)
David Belcher
Julius Goff
(1 episode)
Ann Beach
Miss Unwin
(1 episode)
Pat Lewis
Miss Pym
(1 episode)
Janthea Williams
Sue
(1 episode)
Kirstie Pooley
Eva
(1 episode)
Julia Watson
Maid
(1 episode)
Rupert Frazer
Basil Dashwood
(1 episode)
Colin Thomas
City Gent
(1 episode)
Irlin Hall
County Lady
(1 episode)
Rachel Laurence
Hilda
(1 episode)
Michael Sheard
Inspector
(1 episode)
John Skitt
James Wishart
(1 episode)
Jacob Witkin
Boris Duckworth
(1 episode)
Claude Le Saché
1st Waiter
(1 episode)
Olivier Pierre
Leclerc
(1 episode)
Barrie Jaimeson
Josef
(1 episode)
Brian Capron
Airport Official
(1 episode)
Allan Corduner
Hatchard’s Bookshop Assistant
(1 episode)
Guy Humphries
Stamford
(1 episode)
Roger Milner
Mr Hawkins
(1 episode)
Eliza Buckingham
Reporter
(1 episode)
Devon Scott
Jane Chenies
(1 episode)
Grant Bardsley
George as a child
(1 episode)
Neville Phillips
2nd Waiter
(1 episode)
Michael Nagel
Noel
(1 episode)
Denys Graham
Doctor
(1 episode)
Dulcie Huston
Airline Hostess
(1 episode)
Anna Nicholas
Irina Stefanopoulos
(1 episode)
Clifford Abrahams
Schoolboy
(1 episode)
Virginia Clay
Housekeeper
(1 episode)
Nick Diprose
Studio Personnel
(1 episode)
Raad Rawi
Crown Prince Zawi
(1 episode)
John Biggerstaff
Mr Pollard
(1 episode)
David Stacey
Referee
(1 episode)
Kate Emma Davies
Clio Stefanopoulos
(1 episode)
Adrian Breeze
Schoolboy
(1 episode)
Richard Everett
Studio Personnel
(1 episode)
Geoffrey Greenhill
Det Inspector Watkins
(1 episode)
Peter Godfrey
Doctor
(1 episode)
Dean Allen
Duellist
(1 episode)
Dennis Matsuki
Manservant
(1 episode)
Timothy Breeze
Schoolboy
(1 episode)
Brian Binns
Duellist
(1 episode)
Willow Wipp
Maid
(1 episode)
Wayne Brooks
Schoolboy
(1 episode)
Stephen Brigden
Duellist
(1 episode)
Michael Gardiner
Duellist
(1 episode)
Nicholas Hall
Duellist
(1 episode)
John Rankin
Duellist
(1 episode)
Colin Russell
Duellist
(1 episode)
+ Show full cast (120 more)

Film clips

(1)
Main title from Tales of the Unexpected (1979)

Tales of the Unexpected (1979) opening credits

Date published

Main title from Tales of the Unexpected (1979).

Partial episode guide (17 episodes)

Unknown Season (1 episode)

  • Episode Episode title Transmitted
    The Last Bottle in the World 07 Jun 81

    • Season 1 (3 episodes)

  • Episode Episode title Transmitted
    S1 E6 Neck 28 Apr 79
    S1 E7 Edward the Conqueror 05 May 79
    S1 E9 The Way Up to Heaven 19 May 79

    • Season 2 (4 episodes)

  • Episode Episode title Transmitted
    S2 E2 Galloping Foxley 15 Mar 80
    S2 E5 Poison 29 Mar 80
    S2 E9 Georgy Porgy 26 Apr 80
    S2 E9 The Umbrella Man 10 May 80

    • Season 3 (2 episodes)

  • Episode Episode title Transmitted
    S3 E6 Parson’s Pleasure 30 Nov 80
    S3 E9 The Party 19 Dec 80

    • Season 4 (1 episode)

  • Episode Episode title Transmitted
    S4 E14 Bosom Friends 28 Jan 81

    • Season 5 (2 episodes)

  • Episode Episode title Transmitted
    S5 E3 Operation Safecrack 09 May 82
    S5 E10 Death Can Add 27 Jun 82

    • Season 6 (2 episodes)

  • Episode Episode title Transmitted
    S6 E8 The Vorpal Blade 28 May 83
    S6 E10 The Tribute 25 Jun 83

    • Season 9 (2 episodes)

  • Episode Episode title Transmitted
    S9 E2 The Colonel’s Lady 08 Jan 88
    S9 E3 The Surgeon 15 Jan 88

    • How to watch

    British television

    Parson’s Pleasure (1980, S3 E6)

    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Today at 5.30pm
    Sky Arts HD
    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Tomorrow at 1.30pm
    Sky Arts HD
    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Sunday at 9.30am
    Sky Arts HD
    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Monday at 9.30am
    Sky Arts HD

    A crooked antiques dealer masquerading as a clergyman encounters a farmer, who gives him a piece of furniture worth a fortune. Roald Dahl, John Gielgud, Bernard Miles.

    Main title from the 1981 ‘The Last Bottle in the World’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (1)

    The Stinker

    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Tomorrow at 5pm
    Sky Arts HD
    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Sunday at 10am
    Sky Arts HD
    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Monday at 1pm
    Sky Arts HD
    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Tuesday at 9am
    Sky Arts HD

    A scorned husband seeks revenge on his wife and her lover – but is not certain who the man is.

    Main title from the 1981 ‘The Last Bottle in the World’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (1)

    The Party (1980, S3 E9)

    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Monday at 5pm
    Sky Arts HD
    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Tuesday at 1pm
    Sky Arts HD
    Logo of Sky Arts HD
    Wednesday at 9am
    Sky Arts HD

    A man takes revenge for being left out of the Christmas celebrations at his office party. Robert Morley, Joyce Redman, Raymond Francis.

    Blu-ray and DVD (1)

    Date posted Studio

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    Pictures

    (55)
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Georgy Porgy’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (6). Dramatised by Robin Chapman
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Georgy Porgy’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (5). With Lally Bowers, Margaretta Scott, Ann Beach
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Georgy Porgy’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (4)
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Georgy Porgy’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (3). John Alderton
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Georgy Porgy’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (2). Joan Collins
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Georgy Porgy’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (1)
    Main title from the 1981 ‘The Last Bottle in the World’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (7). Dramatised by Denis Cannan
    Main title from the 1981 ‘The Last Bottle in the World’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (6). By Stanley Ellin
    Main title from the 1981 ‘The Last Bottle in the World’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (5). Lynette Davies
    Main title from the 1981 ‘The Last Bottle in the World’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (4). Gary Bond
    Main title from the 1981 ‘The Last Bottle in the World’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (3). Nigel Hawthorne
    Main title from the 1981 ‘The Last Bottle in the World’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (2). Anthony Quayle
    Main title from the 1981 ‘The Last Bottle in the World’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (1)
    Main title from the 1988 ‘The Surgeon’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (4). With Thorley Walters, Alison Fiske
    Main title from the 1988 ‘The Surgeon’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (3). Dramatised by Robin Chapman
    Main title from the 1988 ‘The Surgeon’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (2). By Roald Dahl
    Main title from the 1988 ‘The Surgeon’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (1). John Alderton
    Screenshot from the 1981 ‘Bosom Friends’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (7) featuring Aaron Shirley
    Screenshot from the 1981 ‘Bosom Friends’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (6) featuring Rachel Kempson
    Screenshot from the 1981 ‘Bosom Friends’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (5) featuring Joan Greenwood
    Screenshot from the 1981 ‘Bosom Friends’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (4) featuring Nat Jackley
    Screenshot from the 1980 ‘Galloping Foxley’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (2) featuring Anthony Steel
    Screenshot from the 1980 ‘Galloping Foxley’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (1) featuring John Mills
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Galloping Foxley’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (4). Dramatized by Robin Chapman
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Galloping Foxley’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (3)
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Galloping Foxley’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (2). Anthony Steel
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Galloping Foxley’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (1). John Mills
    Main title from the 1980 ‘The Umbrella Man’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (5)
    Main title from the 1982 ‘Operation Safecrack’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (4). By Henry Slesar
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Poison’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88) (5)
    Main title from the 1980 ‘Parson’s Pleasure’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88) (4)
    Opening credits from the 1983 ‘The Tribute’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (6). By Jane Gardam
    Opening credits from the 1983 ‘The Tribute’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (5). Phyllis Calvert
    Opening credits from the 1983 ‘The Tribute’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (4). Sheila Burrell
    Opening credits from the 1983 ‘The Tribute’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (3). Eleanor Bron
    Opening credits from the 1983 ‘The Tribute’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (2). Anna Neagle
    Main title from the 1979 ‘Neck’ episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988) (5)
    Main title from the 1982 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), The Colonel’s Lady (1982) opening credits (4). By W Somerset Maugham
    Main title from the 1982 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), Death Can Add (1982) opening credits (7). With Jan Francis Geoffrey Chater
    Main title from the 1982 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), Death Can Add (1982) opening credits (6). Dramatized by Johnny Byrne
    Main title from the 1982 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), Death Can Add (1982) opening credits (5). By Philip Ketchum
    Main title from the 1982 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), Death Can Add (1982) opening credits (4). Roland Culver
    Main title from the 1982 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), Death Can Add (1982) opening credits (3). Michael N Harbour
    Main title from the 1982 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), Death Can Add (1982) opening credits (2). Ian Holm
    Main title from the 1982 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), Death Can Add (1982) opening credits (1)
    Main title from the 1979 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), Edward the Conqueror (3). Joseph Cotton
    Main title from the 1979 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), Edward the Conqueror (2). Joseph Cotton
    Main title from the 1979 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), Edward the Conqueror (1). Wendy Hiller
    Main title from the 1979 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), The Way Up to Heaven (1979) opening credits (3)
    Main title from the 1979 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), The Way Up to Heaven (1979) opening credits (3). Roland Culver
    Main title from the 1979 episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88), The Way Up to Heaven (1979) opening credits (2). Julie Harris
    Screenshot from the ‘Bosom Friends’ (1981) episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88) (3)
    Screenshot from the ‘Bosom Friends’ (1981) episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88) (2)
    Screenshot from the ‘Bosom Friends’ (1981) episode of Tales of the Unexpected (1979-88) (1)
    Tales of the Unexpected DVD

    Production

    (28)
    John Rosenberg
    Producer
    (14 episodes)
    David Deutsch
    Producer
    (1 episode)
    Graham Evans
    Director
    (6 episodes)
    Simon Langton
    Director
    (1 episode)
    Rodney Bennett
    Director
    (1 episode)
    Barry Davis
    Director
    (1 episode)
    Christopher Miles
    Director
    (1 episode)
    Claude Whatham
    Director
    (2 episodes)
    John Bruce
    Director
    (1 episode)
    Alan Gibson
    Director
    (1 episode)
    John Gorrie
    Director
    (1 episode)
    Giles Foster
    Director
    (1 episode)
    John Jacobs
    Director
    (1 episode)
    Robin Chapman
    Writer (dramatisation)
    (8 episodes)
    Roald Dahl
    Writer (dramatisation) / Writer (story)
    (9 episodes)
    Ronald Harwood
    Writer (dramatisation)
    (4 episodes)
    Johnny Byrne
    Writer (dramatisation)
    (1 episode)
    Denis Cannan
    Writer (dramatisation)
    (2 episodes)
    Alan Seymour
    Writer (dramatisation)
    (1 episode)
    Chaim Bermant
    Writer (dramatisation)
    (1 episode)
    Dana Lyon
    Writer (story)
    (1 episode)
    Philip Ketchum
    Writer (story)
    (1 episode)
    W Somerset Maugham
    Writer (story)
    (1 episode)
    Henry Slesar
    Writer (story)
    (1 episode)
    Jane Gardam
    Writer (story)
    (1 episode)
    Stanley Ellin
    Writer (story)
    (1 episode)
    Doug Morgan
    Writer (story)
    (1 episode)
    Edward D Hoch
    Writer (story)
    (1 episode)

    Companies

    (1)
    Anglia Television
    Production company