Country Matters: The Four Beauties by H. E. Bates (1973)

"There where times when I wouldn't have been surprised if the café, with the Davenports inside it, were to vanish like a ghost into thin air... In fact, that was very nearly what happened" - Henry Batley
Produced for Granada Television, The Four Beauties is a short story written by H.E. Bates and stars Michael Kitchen as a young journalist who is staying at a village bed and breakfast. The landlady, played by Zene Walker, has three daughters, Tina (played by Veronica Quilligan) Sophie (Jan Francis) Christabel (Kate Nelligan) whom, one by one each fall for him.
This episode was originally broadcast on the 11th March, 1973. Two series of Country Matters, each featuring individual stories of rural romance among people living in the countryside. Both series where awarded with a BAFTA for Best British Drama, though for some unexplained reason the series has only received a DVD release in North America and remans an import only title. Shot beautifully on film and on location, I'd love to one day see it restored in high definition, its my personal favourite episode from the series and contains one of my favourite performances from Jan Francis so I took the liberty to upload it here.
*This episode was previously available on another KZbin channel but presented in much poorer quality.

[@Ubique2927]

I only clicked on this to see how young Michael Kitchen was. Then stayed.

[@majordolbyscat]

😊

[@carmaaa8508]

A different time. And the most definitely. A different world, A world I would have rather been in., than this wifi, world of today. I enjoyed the short film very very much

[@majordolbyscat]

Oh I agree, a time when people were pretty much left to their own devices, now "devices" own them and Government overreach attempts to dictate what we can and cannot do.

[@DMateo2524]

A joy to watch Michael Kitchen as a young man/actor. His unique talent was obvious even back than. A polished accent aswell.❤

[@majordolbyscat]

Awesome isn't he

[@sct352t3]

Never heard or seen this before. Utterly charming 51 minutes of classic TV.

[@majordolbyscat]

Totally agree

[@ackamack101]

They don’t make em like this anymore, that’s for sure! 😔

[@michaelclark5732]

Michael K is good in everything he does.

[@barbarawillis5187]

Surprised and happy to see Michael Kitchen as a young actor.

[@JehanineMelmoth]

He was wonderful in Caught on a Train too.

[@jacksugden8190]

He’s now 74 - no spring chicken. If only I could’ve seen myself again in 1973

[@helenlauer9545]

Michael Kitchen at the beginning of his career!!! WOW!!

[@maureenmurphy7817]

"Foyle" is one of my favorites ever. My goodness, his voice has barely changed.

[@delilahhart4398]

He was pretty cute, wasn't he?

[@archie6945]

Close, perhaps; but surely you don't start as the lead!

[@nickdryad]

HE Bates was a brilliant story teller. His short stories are all wonderful.

[@majordolbyscat]

I have read several and totally agree.

[@neenaeddie5272]

Michael Kitchen was phenomenal in Foyle's War!!! What a gripping war series! Totally absorbing🎯💯

[@denisesaunders5473]

He also played Branwell Bronte.

[@anthonydavid5121]

All those young soccer players are today in their early 60s! Let that sink in .... TIME, so elusive, she drives me mental

[@karensmail9788]

How lovely to see this again. I watched this on TV as a 14 (nearly 15 yr old!) when it was first broadcast and never forgot it. I identified with Tina, but thought the sisters were all so beautiful, especially Sophie. Such a poignant tale, and I’m delighted to stumble across this after all these years.

[@majordolbyscat]

Poignant indeed, thank you for sharing your memories on this wonderful production

[@joehart7260]

The lovely Jan Francis, I always had a thing about her.

[@randomtux1234]

having grewn up with no TV, im still catching up to all that british culture i missed in childhood. British TV is like so many times better than anything hollywood makes.

[@fritula6200]

​@@randomtux1234... you have so many films to watch... consider it a treat.... enjoy !!!

[@helenswan705]

Charming, as all HE Bates' stories are. Thank you.

[@majordolbyscat]

Indeed so, and your welcome

[@lorrainebrown7263]

Remember watching this when I was young. Beautiful adaptation of the story and such good acting. Touching, very touching.

[@majordolbyscat]

I felt the same upon watching

[@stephenholmes1036]

Snap

[@suzp2265]

I've never seen this before, 50 years old but still completely enchanting, I could watch Michael Kitchen all day. I loved Jan Francis in 'just good friends' and still remember Kate Nelligan's riveting performance in Therese Raquin. Thank you for posting! ❤

[@majordolbyscat]

You are very welcome

[@KaylaBuhdayla]

I’ll check it out-thanks!

[@terrystevens5261]

I was 19 when i last saw this, what a little gem.

[@peterdavy6110]

Country Matters was a minor masterpiece and this was my favourite episode. Thank you.

[@CatherineDover]

Love H E Bates, love this play, thanks.

[@freespeechoneeach]

when england was a green and pleasant land

[@majordolbyscat]

Not so much as dipping your toe in nostalgia, more like taking a swim in it.

[@MsMesem]

@@majordolbyscat Now you are hard pressed to remove yourself from the noise of traffic. It must have been bliss in the 70's and before. I first knew England in the mid 80's and already the roads were frantic.

[@sandgrownun66]

@@MsMesem More cars aren't the only new additions that aren't welcome.

[@paddyo3841]

We were conned into paving over paradise for what… ruins for the next empire

[@shadetreader]

The "good old days" when women were property and being gay was a crime 🙄

[@markcoveryourassets]

Brilliant. The English do so much better with their own language than those who can only claim it by association. 😂 Thank you from across the pond.

[@majordolbyscat]

You are very welcome. I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@thadtuiol1717]

You guys haven't done so badly down the years, Herman Melville, T.S. Eliot, Faulkener, Henry James, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Thoreau, et al.

[@matthewstokes1608]

@@thadtuiol1717T S Eliot was as much English as American… He was one that some of us will fight over!

[@mt.shasta6097]

@@matthewstokes1608 And Henry James was American but wanted to be English so very much!

[@minounah]

Emily Dickinson, Toni Morrison, Louisa May Alcott, Edith Wharton, Ursula Leguin, Maya Angelou, Harper Lee@@thadtuiol1717

[@gplunk]

Beautifully acted and produced. The location shots themselves are worth the watch alone....

[@helenswan705]

Do you know where is was? I was wondering

[@alisonlee3314]

Wildboarcroft, Cheshire.

[@MTknitter22]

The older British films like American ones, are the BEST!!

[@majordolbyscat]

I discover new 'old' films everyday. Much more of a joy to find something from the past can entertain better than most of the rubbish that passes for entertainment today.

[@mckavitt13]

Debatable if the American films were as good.

[@tonykent59]

Oh to be Henry!

[@majordolbyscat]

Lucky chap indeed

[@CatherineDover]

Think you may be jealous 🤣

[@philiphema2678]

OMG Michel Kitchen 50 yrs ago. Loved this story. Thank you from a Kiwi living in Hawai'i.

[@majordolbyscat]

You are welcome Phillip, lovely part of the world you are from, and likewise living now.

[@richardclarke376]

Great to see the fragrant Jan Francis. The epitome of poise and class

[@majordolbyscat]

Always, forever.

[@mariewilliams602]

Please show us more of this series I loved it in the 70s great stories ❤

[@majordolbyscat]

It is available on dvd and the only reason I am able to upload this story from the series is because it’s not actually featured in the UK collection. The rest are copyrighted. Thank you for your comment.

[@voulafisentzidis8830]

I have the boxset but this wasn't included. Do you know why?

[@sergeykireev3354]

​@@majordolbyscat😅

[@MrMjp58]

So many memories attached to this series. I watched it as a 14 year old.

[@carolynellis387]

Ive never seen this I recognised Michael Kitchen with hair! Jan Francis such a pretty lady

[@majordolbyscat]

If I was being honest with you, and not wanting to come across as being biased (being that it is on my channel) but it is one of my favourite videos on KZbin. Sits nicely in my Jan Francis archive playlist ;) kzbin.info/aero/PLx0YAKYkbg7zFJP-mnBdCfTHP1e3qfdI-

[@dufushead]

Sincere thanks for that charming film MDC. Absolutely sublime. You are a true gent.

[@majordolbyscat]

Very kind and very welcome

[@e.m8784]

This was broadcast just less than a month before I was born! 50 years on and it feels good!

[@geoffjoffy]

Michael Kitchen made a lot of good TV programmes in the 1970s.

[@jacksugden8190]

He’s a young man. Middle-aged at 22, doubt it, 67 and on the brink of old-aged at 70. Oh and I remember that theme tune from the better days of my life.

[@E-Kat]

He's joking, because his life's so miserable.😊

[@leilal8053]

Wow.....a very young and boyish "Michael Kitchen"! 😊 That was a weird and rather abrupt ending though .😮

[@michaelarchangel1163]

I remember watching this, at a time when I was still a schoolboy of 15 and for the twist in the tale at the end, which I shan't speak of here, spoiling things for those who haven't seen it.

[@majordolbyscat]

Yes it’s quite a melancholiac ending for sure. Thank you for the comment

[@RadioWhoPoo]

Lovely. Echoes of young Evelyn Waugh in the young journalist, and his friendship with the beautiful Mitford sisters in the British countryside

[@majordolbyscat]

I will have to put my hands up in shame when I say I know very little about Evelyn Waugh, but fascinated by what you have written.

[@neenaserrao7130]

Michael's so young here ❤

[@mathewgreen4099]

A lovely piece of TV. Many thanks for posting.

[@0771skip]

Excellent.

[@GenGrace-kg6jb]

So good. “Three Graces and their Mother was a Grace/But for profounder knowledge in her face.” 🤫

[@JonniePolyester]

Love for Lydia is such a favourite ❤

[@popswhippersnapper9629]

I never heard of Jan Francis before seeing this film and now I have a crush on her. I found on Wikipedia that she's still performing and is as beautiful as before but obviously in a more mature way.

[@majordolbyscat]

She is lovely, glad I helped to alert you to her work, other fine examples from the lady herself can be found in my tribute along with a list of her early work

[@sissyrayself7508]

It was not just the ending that was " weird" though..How could ANY decent mother encourage her daughters to act like, and be treated like sluts?

[@user-tb4zr9qy1o]

Very similar to Love On A Branch Line - both lovely!

[@majordolbyscat]

I haven't seen that but will be sure to check it out, thank you for your comment.

[@evamartin4807]

Love Michael Kitchen 😍

[@popswhippersnapper9629]

The marvelous character actor Alun Armstrong appears briefly as the swimming pool manager. His many roles include that of Carol Bolton's father in "Sparkhouse" - - a memorable but disquieting role indeed.

[@majordolbyscat]

Love these tidbits of trivia, thanks for that

[@mrpapageno2139]

Great Series! I haven't seen any of these for many years. Thanks for posting.

[@majordolbyscat]

Very welcome, and yes, its such a shame it seems to be a neglected series in the very country it was born.

[@ria1636]

Excellent, I watched this twice. Touchingly poignant. Thank you. 🥰

[@majordolbyscat]

Its one of my personal favourites to Ria, and your very welcome

[@ria1636]

@@majordolbyscat I can understand why it's one of your favourites too and it's now become one of mine, although I did feel quite shocked and terribly sad near the end. I'll look forward to reading some more short stories by HE Bates. Thanks again for the introduction. :)

[@majordolbyscat]

@@ria1636 I had planned on reading several of my favourite short stories from HE Bates on this channel in the not distant future, however I have learned and worryingly so some other spoken word KZbin channels have received copyright strikes... As I have two already, I can't afford to take the chance right now... But maybe and in the future, I'd love to give it a go.

[@MrWindermere123]

The games people play: teasing, sulking, passion, heartbreak...sometimes in one evening! A charming film, or is it a play?, with a note of sadness and regret at the end. Henry hated his job but hadn't the courage to leave it, so maybe the message is that he didn't deserve to be with any of the three sisters.

[@majordolbyscat]

To me it clearly has its roots in cinema. By opting for using some of the most glorious on location filming helping to capture the surrounding English countryside it benefits the story beautifully and differentiates itself from the more common studio based set and stage television productions of the time. I would definitely call this a film.

[@sissyrayself7508]

Charming? More like disturbing.

[@williamgreen728]

Simply wonderful.Thank you.

[@majordolbyscat]

It is isn't it

[@carly3767]

I really enjoyed that, thank you.

[@majordolbyscat]

Very welcome

[@Mark-vd4gg]

Delightful, thank you so much.

[@beebee8018]

Thank you so much for uploading this series which I have not seen. Now I have just purchased the 11 & 1/2 hour full DVD of the series and can’t wait to watch.

[@majordolbyscat]

Glad it inspired you to buy the entire series, it is quite wonderful

[@Raggy60]

H E Bates was a brilliant writer.

[@majordolbyscat]

Indeed so. I love The Watercress Girl.

[@ukrandr]

I too love the tales he spun. Recently I picked up a first edition copy of Fair Stood the Wind for France at a local library sale, of all places. And yes, this production was superb.

[@MsVanorak]

@@majordolbyscat Love For Lydia is my fave and that was a TV series a few years after this.

[@kevinkenny6975]

I agree. H E Bates wrote some wonderful things that's for sure.

[@jakecavendish3470]

He was the master. I always think of him as master Bates

[@vanessahawarden9028]

Wonderful, thank you 🙏

[@majordolbyscat]

I think so too

[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

England was not overpopulated, then. It was all so nice.

[@johnmc3862]

Like the places the British invaded weren’t overpopulated?

[@jenniferboyle2865]

@@johnmc3862Not by the British at least!

[@thetooginator153]

England’s population has increased by less than a third since 1951. The U.S. has increased by 83% in the same period. A LOT of the increase in England is because people are living longer (thanks to the NHS).

[@JiminyCricket8899]

​@@thetooginator153Yeah much more room for the yanks though

[@thomasreed49]

@@thetooginator153 Net immigration is running at 1 million every two years. Old people living longer wouldn’t take away the nostalgia and Britishness we used to enjoy.

[@ukrandr]

I've just discovered your channel and chose this wonderful production as my inauguration to your vast collection. As intriguing as your name is, I think it should be sub-titled The Jan Francis Treasure Trove. LOL You have impeccable taste, sir.

[@majordolbyscat]

Welcome! I’d be more than happy to be associated with that moniker and am fully aware of the responsibility that comes with it ;) 🙏 FYI my channel name is in reference to an episode from Ivor The Engine.

[@written12]

Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@majordolbyscat]

Very welcome

[@angelapietras1235]

That was refreshing quite different I enjoyed it.

[@majordolbyscat]

Its treasure.

[@vivienneandersson6019]

Thanks!

[@davidowen6977]

Remember the series and the music,no memory of this episode so a fresh pleasure. Wistful and romantic, with Zena Walker at the end looking younger as she meets and invites Michael Kitchen to resume their acquaintance.........

[@majordolbyscat]

Yes, I agree about the ending... and its not since seeing The Umbrellas of Cherbourg have I been left with such a melancholy ending. Quite beautiful really.

[@LandersWorkshop]

@@majordolbyscat Indeed it was bittersweet.

[@itabrennan7420]

Hugh Leonard, who wrote the adaptation, was an acclaimed Irish author and film buff. The film "Da" with Martin Sheen was based on his autobiography.

[@majordolbyscat]

Thank you for providing that piece of trivia.

[@itabrennan7420]

@@majordolbyscat Thank you for posting.

[@AmalaBhakti108]

loved it! and love Michael..

[@1emmajones]

I just love me some Micheal kitchen. Thanks

[@majordolbyscat]

First in the line when they handed out charisma in those days!

[@1emmajones]

@@majordolbyscat I know. Still though. Have you seen his cameo in breaking glass. I’ve just discovered that film. He’s just so blasé. I love it. Underrated film.

[@majordolbyscat]

It sounded formular to me Emma, so just did a search...No I haven't seen, but it has been on my watch list since learning about its existence when I heard Hazel O'Connor was seriously ill earlier this year. Luckily she has made a full recovery. I'll be sure to check it out sooner than later now, thank you!

[@1emmajones]

@@majordolbyscat she is truly brilliant. The eight day gives me shivers.

[@gemspa73]

Kitchen reminds me of an early David Essex in his breakthrough film, That'll Be The Day, which was released the same year as this.

[@thomasreed49]

Quality actors quality times what has happened to Great Britain. 😰😰😰

[@thadtuiol1717]

Massive across-the-board societal decline has happened.

[@barrybarnard836]

It was invaded by Islam

[@thomasreed49]

@@barrybarnard836 The song that goes there will always be in England. I am not so sure about that anymore.

[@mckavitt13]

They still have quality actors, tho Hollywood appropriates them as their own all too often.

[@threesillykittens]

The same thing that's happened to America. It's not the same place where I grew up.

[@wyesjcbnwr8606]

That was cute and sweet. Lucky devil. I just also liked the picturesque scenery of the English country side.

[@majordolbyscat]

Beautiful isn't it, still a few places left in England that mirror that charm

[@wyesjcbnwr8606]

@@majordolbyscat - Certainly glad to hear it.

[@adzdahlman9724]

I now discover u have reems of J Francis (ref Jackanory comment) - I'll have to subscribe . I've not seen this before ; but , immediately I start watching , another "one of those coincidences" smacked into my psyche , that being , around 4yrs old our neighbours were 'Davenport' (s) - of brewery fame - I used to meet their daughter , Nicola , at our boundary fence and stare at her haplessly... You've given my nostalgia bin a right kick up arse this last few days . - a while later : as has "The four beauties" ,(which I thoroughly recommend) , ~ to have loved and lost etc... my nostalgia slips into melancholy .

[@majordolbyscat]

You might say that I consider myself "a little bit" of a fan of Jan, The Four Beauties feature in a playlist of over thirty productions showcasing her talents, you've reached Gold in this Country Matters episodes which is one of my personal favourites from the collection. It was her reading for Jackanory and of Peter Pan that I was first introduced to her when I was a young child and then even more so, later as a teenager watching Stay Lucky. Funny really but I have always felt her performances define the word 'Nostalgia' within me.

[@StevenBirkett-sl5wf]

more of the beautiful jan , your doing a fine job major .

[@djinnko]

Thanks for posting this! It kind of reminds me of Love on a Branch line, a gentle comedy with Michael Maloney. His character dallies with three sisters.

[@majordolbyscat]

I'll try to seek it out, thank you

[@alanwann9318]

I give it 10 out of 10, well acted

[@majordolbyscat]

I'll stand by that rating.

[@horizonsnow7454]

Really enjoying. Thank you.

[@andyroid5028]

I liked this show a lot. It's the first time I've ever seen it. _I thought it was an interesting story. To me, it seemed as if they were in a town that had a 'man shortage'. : ) Also, I thought it was odd that the bakery was kind of just 'there one day' & 'then gone the next'. It was strange that the '4 beauties' would've just moved away w/out properly saying goodbye to Henry._ *I guess the twist at the end was that (w/the exception of Tina, the youngest) he likely bedded 3 of the 4 beauties. What a rascal that Henry (Michael Kitchen) was! LOL*

[@majordolbyscat]

Indeed, and this was how I envisioned the scenario.

[@mckavitt13]

Thanks for the SPOILER. 😕

[@paddyo3841]

It’s gone but never forgotten

[@ba-gg6jo]

Brought back many memories, thank you.

[@majordolbyscat]

Your very welcome.

[@sidensvans67]

Loved this . Yes .

[@lemilemi5385]

I barely took a look at the screen, the sound of the script and the portrayal were enough to visualise the whole thing the whole thing

[@andyharpist2938]

Stilted dialogue was so much the fashion then.

[@majordolbyscat]

A labour of love for time and place.

[@andyharpist2938]

Why film makers wanted to portray everyone as awkward and unable to relate to each other is beyond me. It certainly drags. We have come a long way with realism in acting. @@majordolbyscat

[@Cristinact]

"Man of 22". Nowadays people this age would say: "I was a kid of 22" lol

[@ledlight6630]

Thanks🙋‍♀️❤️

[@surreygirl2075]

I read the book very good

[@majordolbyscat]

I do like a good Bates short story. Different time and place completely, though not too far removed, it has to be said, from the current view from my narrowboat windows.

[@PetroicaRodinogaster264]

Age is a spoiler…Michael was so beautiful then

[@johnnyhmash]

HE Bates story.Better than that Larkins nonsense.Also featuring stories by LP Hartley.Some play on the title, i believe.Nothing like it today really.Pity.Great to see .thanks.

[@majordolbyscat]

I agree. I do have a soft spot for Bates Darling Buds but this screen adaption is a lot less twee and with a bit more substance to it.

[@Annemarie0211]

Thank you for uploading this! I saved this episode to watch it later and I seem to remember you uploaded more episodes but I can't find them anymore... 😢 could you please make them available again? 🙏🏼

[@majordolbyscat]

Unfortunately that particular production was removed by KZbin and I got a strike so sorry, but I will not be uploading anymore from the series. The good news, I think its being released on Blu-ray in the future

[@morricone1900]

Thanks for uploading this. :)

[@majordolbyscat]

A pleasure, and never a chore

[@kerriar]

Now thatB rexit is such a success, England will be just like that again.

[@JohnnyBlaze5100]

The old cougar outwitted them all

[@67Parsifal]

Marvellous! And am ambiguous ending …..

[@majordolbyscat]

Bates had the ability to create an almost tangible sense of a place as he does so here and with such ease. Its worth seeking out the short story. I highly recommend The Modern Short Story, Bates study of the subject and a book he released in 1941.

[@LandersWorkshop]

The fourth beauty won her man?

[@CitrianSnailBY]

Nice.

[@runeljungstrommer331]

a very young mr Kitchen...

[@fnma21]

Middle-aged man of 22 😂😂

[@menhera2]

Wow is a bit sad but so lovely 😸

[@majordolbyscat]

I find that it imbues the same melancholy and beauty present in an otherwise very different production 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' from 1964. Thank you for the comment.

[@carasmith549]

27:39 - That scenery looks suspiciously like the high footpath, wall and lake at Alton Towers - I've walked along it several times, though I believe the raised footpath is fenced off now, and back in 1973 - when this was made - Alton Towers was still several years away from being transformed into a theme park.

[@majordolbyscat]

I've been desperately trying to identify the locations used in this production for quite sometime, so this helps immensely. Thank you for taking the time to comment!

[@MsMesem]

How sad! I wondered where it was, magnificent park.

[@mckavitt13]

Sad (d)evolution 😔

[@LANCSKID]

Wonderful … Major Dolby’s Cat deserves an extra couple of tins of Whiskas Gourmet! 😺

[@majordolbyscat]

You sure know my taste!

[@markrainford1219]

Unbelievable, fifty years old!

[@majordolbyscat]

Wow, your right,

[@rdlewis3616]

A very young Michael Kitchen

[@maryeliason1504]

Unfortunately everywhere is overpopulated now.

[@rconach]

Not Wyoming, nor Montana nor the Dakota’s.

[@wmd9750]

Kate Nelligan ! 🍁🍁🍁

[@jakecavendish3470]

The title is taken from Shakespeare, it's actually a play on words of c_ntry matters

[@hart1625]

Country Matters (1972) / 7.3 The story of people living in the countryside of the United Kingdom after World War I. The Four Beauties (TV Episode 1973) / 7.3 A young journalist stays at a country house bed and breakfast. The landlady has 3 daughters, and one by one they all fall for him. Finally he has a brief relationship with the landlady.

[@donnaaranda7175]

MC was so young!

[@Ubique2927]

2:12. Is that the Last of the Summer Wine Café? It looks very similar.

[@majordolbyscat]

You know what, taking a closer look, it does look like Sid's Cafe, I think you are right

[@helenswan705]

Interesting, so the location might be Holmfirth.

[@gretamoffat8666]

So he is knocking off all her daughters and she is quite happy about it .

[@andrewknapp1349]

Some of the main man's gestures reminded me of that wartime detective chappie, Foyle. So did the overcoat. Very hard-wearing, I'd say.