Flickers

Flickers

1980 - United Kingdom

Fresh from a third-rate career in the music halls, forty-year-old Arnie Cole (Bob Hoskins) has turned movie pioneer, showing single-reel films in makeshift cinemas during the first quarter of the twentieth century. 

Arnie's true ambition is to produce films of his own; but he is barely able to keep his creditors at bay as the head of a travelling company that screens movies in any available hall or store. The troupe includes Llewellyn (Fraser Cains), his girlfriend Letty (Sherrie Hewson) and his piano player Violet (Sheri Shepstone). Arnie's only chance at survival is to explore every possible source of financing, no matter whom he has to con. Clive (Andrew de-la-Tour), son of a department store owner, is a prime candidate. That is, until Arnie is introduced to Maud (Frances de-la-Tour), Clive's plain and snobbish sister, who takes one look at the hapless showman and declares, "He'll have the fillings from your teeth!" 

Bob Hoskins in Flickers
Bob Hoskins inspects the film in 'Flickers'

However, fate is about to deal Arnie an unexpected hand: The unmarried Maud has had the misfortune to get herself pregnant, and the would-be father has taken flight. So, in return for a promise of marriage and a father for her baby, Maud bankrolls Arnie's movie projects. This light-hearted, captivating series was created and written by sitcom veteran Roy Clarke (Keeping Up Appearances, Last of the Summer Wine) and won great critical acclaim in 1980 as well as a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Limited Series in 1982.

Published on December 12th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

The Flames Trees of Thika

Elspeth Huxley's autobiographical account of her childhood when, at just six years of age, she left London with her parents, Tilly and Robin Grant, who set out to establish a coffee plantation in Kenya.

Also tagged Historical Drama

keeping up appearances

Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet), who spends her entire time trying to climb the local social ladder, much to the dismay of her long suffering husband Richard.

Also tagged Roy Clarke

The Gathering Storm

It's the mid-1930s and MP Winston Churchill (Albert Finney), once the most dynamic Member of Parliament, finds both his public and private life in turmoil in this award winning co-produced UK & US drama.

Also tagged Historical Drama

The First Churchills

Lavish 17th century costume drama full of political intrigue, manipulating women and sexual promiscuity.

Also tagged Historical Drama

Hammer House of Horror

From the mid-fifties to the mid-seventies, Hammer Films were one of the leading lights of the British film industry. Previously, Hammer had only cautiously entered the domain of television...

Also released in 1980

The Jewel in the Crown

Though their position seems secure, thoughtful English men and women know that "their" time in India is coming to an end.

Also tagged Historical Drama

Edward and Mrs Simpson

This seven part, £1 million drama series from Thames Television faithfully reconstructed the events of the affair between Edward and Mrs Simpson that, in 1936, caused a constitutional crisis and Edward VIII's eventual abdication.

Also tagged Historical Drama

Metal Mickey

When a boy scientist creates a robot to do household chores, he is unprepared for the mayhem it causes when it comes alive.

Also released in 1980