George's Room (1967) 'Half Hour Story' Directed by Alan Clarke

Half Hour Story was originally produced in 1967 by Rediffusion Television Ltd, and was a series of half-hour plays written by many of the UK's leading authors including Edna O’Brien, Doris Lessing, Julian Bond and Alun Owen. George's Room was written by the latter and directed by Alan Clarke and was originally broadcast, very surprisingly in colour and on the 30th September, 1967. Clarke directed this colour version at Wembley Studios, using the same electronic multi-camera set-up as his black and white Half-Hour Story plays. Between 1967 and 1968 Rediffusion produced 31 x 30 minute episodes, followed by a further 7 episodes in 1971. Ten of the episodes were directed by Alan Clarke.
In George's Room A man (John Neville) is interviewed by a young widow (Geraldine Moffatt) as a potential lodger, and learns some disturbing facts about the woman's relationship with her dead husband.

[@odd0odium]

it's like they are making love

[@majordolbyscat]

It certainly is a very visual language they're both using

[@HookBeak_66]

It was indeed.

[@beebee8018]

Yes: Word love …

[@DocuFlow]

I love these plays. You meet complete strangers, get to know them, love them, hate them, pity them. And then they’re gone forever, except for in your memories.

[@Comfortzone99]

Yes TV was like that 'Here today gone tomorrow' It had one repeat in 1971 and then forgotten until now.Much of the Half Hour Story series is now lost.

[@HookBeak_66]

Its rare that a short drama engages me so much within its characters, I dop my cap to the screen writer & the actors, it was a pleasure to watch. Geraldine Moffit is now 83 bless her.

[@majordolbyscat]

Top drawer drama

[@keithawhosoever5384]

I don't remember Geraldine Moffit . She was an absolute beauty. A first class performance from both actor and actress .

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

I never heard of her before this. She's very pretty.

[@stewartfenton7660]

​@keithawhosoever5384 at the time, every time you switched the TV on, you'd see Isobel Black. She seemed to be in everything. Not that that was a bad thing.

[@HookBeak_66]

@@stewartfenton7660 Isobel Black was from this era, & it's a person that sprung to mind, is that correct Keith?

[@Merseysiderful]

Brilliant drama from a series I never knew existed. Recorded on then expensive video tape but survived the mass wiping of programmes after original broadcast in the 1960s. Geraldine Moffatt, such natural beauty and gorgeous.

[@majordolbyscat]

Restored proper good here.

[@DasTubemeister]

Geraldine Moffat was in Get Carter, and her two sons are thr creators of the GTA games.

[@BruceThomson]

'Charming and graceful. Thanks for posting it. I can remember the days of modesty and charm.

[@CulainRuledByVenus]

Between severe leg pain and weeks of sleep deprivation, this story finds me at 4:30 A.M., strangely delivering a surprising peace. George's Room is just the kind of thing I'm hoping to find as modern productions continue inadvertently insisting I travel back in time for quality storytelling and performances. Thank you so much.

[@marianlindsay1737]

Same here, severe foot pain keeping me awake, great to find something like this to help cope

[@ginnylorenz5265]

Sending prayer for peace and healing for you💚❤Blessings to you.

[@PaulH-hl5hw]

sorry to hear that..I'm stuck in hospital bed in ecuador

[@ceilconstante640]

Culain ruled by Venus, I had the same problems but learned from following Dr Eric Berg about magnesium deficiency. I started taking a few tablespoons of Cherry flavored magnesium citrate daily and my leg pain has been slowly improving and I am sleeping better.😊

[@CulainRuledByVenus]

@@ceilconstante640 I'd actually taken a nasty fall. Still, this is awesome advice.

[@nicjones2985]

Lovely stuff, full of writing from an age now passed and topped off by two well-rounded performances.

[@beebee8018]

So sad the way films and television programmes have gone right down the hill … All the best are made before 1990.

[@Vrjw-v4j]

She said, " would you like to see it?" He should have said, " pardon, not half ."

[@gwynnethcoan761]

@Vrjw-v4jWell, let’s be thankful he didn’t.

[@susiefoxy8130]

At a time when people were polite to each other, no swearing, no rudeness, just nice, plain and simple❤

[@smc9291]

At least that’s how it was portrayed on tv programs such as this. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy these programs. But I’m not one who thinks the past was necessarily rosey.

[@TP-om8of]

@@smc9291It was. I was there.

[@granthurlburt4062]

@@smc9291 There were manners much more and far less swearing. 70 years old. Yes on construction sites, every noun and verb was likely preceded by the f-word, among labourers, but less and less as I joined survey crews and at university. Astounding hearing how common such language is among many young people and in the "lyrics" of present-day pop music-rap and hip-hop stuff.

[@kimsherlock8969]

Etiquette is wasted time Unless one can waste time ⏲ Etiquette is a game 🎮

[@malcolmwhite6588]

@@granthurlburt4062 I know people were polite and didn’t swear- it was effing good in those days wasn’t it you pillock !😂

[@Laffy-ix5xy]

I wasn't sure about this at the beginning. But by the end, I wished it could have gone on for longer. Beautiful chemistry between the two characters.

[@russellwhite1581]

The lodger starts off starchy and ends up falling for her. But at first it seemed like she was going to turn out to be a phycho, but as it developed and she explained how George had mentally abused her, the fears for the lodger's wellbeing dissipate and it becomes a touching romance. That gradual switch from potential horror to probable romance is what makes this.

[@nirmalawilson3697]

Goes to show... Words alone can be so gripping, hold listeners captive for half an hour under their own steam.

[@tinamartin8890]

This play is a masterpiece. Alan Clarke's work always has a way of captivating his audience. Ive never seen this one before. Thankyou for uploading this gem!!

[@majordolbyscat]

Love Alan Clarke here.

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

John Neville's portrayal of his character brought tears to my eyes. Such a moving piece. It's the mark of a very talented writer to be able to weave so many possibilities and such depth into a short story. Thank you for sharing this.

[@roberthorwat6747]

Great stuff!! One room to rent. Done and dusted in under half an hour with a cup of slosh thrown in and that see saw of the kind of magical chemistry versus tension that never happens to anyone going to view a room ever. 10/10 (+ 1 for being in colour)

[@barbarapalmer8224]

Do you know everybody who has gone to view a room then?

[@roberthorwat6747]

@barbarapalmer8224 everyone from "yep!I'll take it" within five seconds, to the ones thar view it umpteen times all the while you know that they know that you know that they know that you know they ain't never gonna take it because they are just wasting your time for squits and giggles, just because they can. What lies between those two extremes can more often than not be conveyed inside the time it takes Alan Freeman to tell you about the washing powder with the new blue whiteness. Trust me, the Daz and Omo ads are thrillers by comparison.

[@granthurlburt4062]

Well, after an hr's talk with a woman as well-educated as I, there was no question. We liked each other because on the same wavelength. Similar moving into my first "communal" house (not a commune) in the 1970's. Tenants included a geol. grad student, M.A. anthropology govt employee, and oocupational therapist. Very lucky to find it though. Other potential hosts turned me down flat

[@thenoobpolice3002]

I am astonished by this beautiful little play. What a gem.

[@RobertQuance-c9r]

Thanks so much for sharing! I was totally captivated. At the risk of sounding like a miserable old turd, I rarely see this type of quality acting and character development today. I hadn’t heard of that actress, she is really beautiful

[@valerieHamilton-wt3jf]

💩😅

[@rambleon3698]

She certainly is.

[@neilfurby555]

Lovely interaction, utterly captivating from the first moments. Masterful acting, not a minute wasted, a small masterpiece.

[@Comfortzone99]

What a sweet,charming little play, absolutely timeless- I wanted to give Geraldine a hug at the end.

[@gplunk]

What a remarkably superb piece of writing and acting....

[@Raggy60]

Why don't they show things like this now ? If they do I must have missed them. Absolutely brilliant.

[@majordolbyscat]

I am totally with you on that one

[@davidsmith5523]

Yes my first thought too was to lament and complain rather than enjoy and compliment. Must be the weather. More tea?

[@neilshenton1834]

So beautifully written and performed. Fabulous! 👏😍👍

[@camloff]

Brilliant play and superb actors. Outstanding theatre work. I was amazed by its quality of work. George's Room is superb. Perfect interaction.

[@AretiSpyropoulos]

Gosh that woman had gorgeous thick hair. And he wasn't too shabby himself. I thoroughly enjoyed it. TY.

[@goldkhw]

That was a "fall" or an attached piece of hair. I had one. Made of real hair and I'd receive so many compliments on my thick hair. It was expensive in those days. Mine was 150 dollars. I think I still have it somewhere in the cupboard. I should get it out. Hair doesn't rot away or go bad.

[@heathstjohn267]

Moffatt's delivery and accent reminds me of Rita Tushingham's in ' The Knack ', in 1965, even though they are from different parts of the country.

[@stephenhill9448]

A time when televised plays were excellent! The writing and acting first class…….! She also appeared in Get Carter one of my favourite films.

[@NoosaHeads]

What a wonderful find. That play was captivating. I'd love to have seen the "second act"..

[@carlosgomes2783]

It's always good to see Geraldine Moffatt in anything. She first caught my attention in "Get Carter" (I can't think why....). A brilliant piece of writing by Alun Owen.

[@raypitcher9767]

Very enjoyable indeed. The delicate moth is ushered to the light with such grace.

[@TheStefmcd]

Loved this. Superb dialogue, delivered naturally and yet with such deliberate pacing. A magical 24 minutes. Thanks for this. ❤

[@antjhonyhart9114]

A very well constructed, imaginatively written and thoughtful play with carefully constructed dialogue and descriptive prose, utilising a suttle conveyance of message, wit and humour. One could almost liken it to Alan Bennett 's or Evelyn Waugh's style of ideology.

[@dubchile]

Marvellous stuff. I can identify with her, in fact I wish someone like him had visited me and prompted me to begin venturing out again over eighteen years ago after my soulmate passed away.. Ive sat indoors ever since 😔

[@moongoddess1962]

It's never too late..let this show inspire you... Maybe you were meant to see show and the time is right for a change

[@davidowen6977]

Clever one this,thanks for finding/showing. Great writing and directing. Loved the line, " ....looked devil may care but all it was,was a vitamin deficiency "

[@majordolbyscat]

I have to agree with you David, there really is a deeply subtle subtext going on in this one and with nuanced performances from both actors.

[@beebee8018]

@@majordolbyscat Very rarely hear ‘Subtext’ referred to these days. Good of you to use it.

[@truth.952]

Does anyone think living in these times is better than the 60s....a golden age so glad i was born into it.....

[@gman6055]

What do you prefer about now? :)

[@hsiehkanusea]

Old skool rizz, in script form. Good direction as well. Thx for posting.

[@terrycleverley1774]

Never heard of this before but well worth watching

[@majordolbyscat]

An exercise in great screenwriting

[@beebee8018]

Quite enjoyable. I like this type of drama, what I call ‘Leading End’, as it makes you think what could happen and you make up different endings as you please.

[@mandyhutchins4598]

Absolutely excellent.

[@SuperNapalm666]

Excellent play about grief, im a great fan of Alan Clarke, love these early works, keep em coming and thank you!

[@paulspice4717]

Brilliant. Great script and acting.

[@kimsherlock8969]

Very nuanced dialogue A challenge To interpret

[@RingJando]

That was splendidly performed - now what am I going to do?

[@charfinch6358]

Very sweet and well acted

[@cecilefox9136]

I really enjoyed these wonderful actors and script.

[@carolynellis387]

You can hear every word they say clearly

[@davidhamer8333]

Beautifully crafted, kept you in suspense. Wish I knew the end though.

[@oneviewcornwall8200]

Absolutely brilliant... Didn't want it to end

[@davidjackson7715]

Brilliant acting,,, well done 😊

[@TheFREDAMAN]

As a kid growing up in the 60s I would off hated this sort of drama, too much like Coronation st, or Crossroads. This is a gem of a drama, the noonce is sublime and beautifully acted. The camera switching between the faces is hypnotising, and the unrequited dare I say it 'passion' that the players portray for each other is a reminder of days gone past. One can imagine them wearing victorion clothes set in a manor house garden. More please.

[@gman6055]

Do u reckon he banged her m8

[@vintagebrew1057]

I enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@majordolbyscat]

You are very welcome and thanks for saying so.

[@dogmart]

Brilliant gem here! I’ve only known Alan Clarke’s work from Scum, Made in Britain, Elephant, and The Firm. Seeing his early work here is great!

[@ozzie-sk9dh]

Beautiful woman with amazing eyes. It looks later than 1967

[@Comfortzone99]

First transmitted in Sept 1967, and it had one rerun in the London area in 1971 and was never seen again until now.

[@ThePlataf]

Her pale lipstick, short dress, eye make-up, and the " flip" hairdo, (which is actually a fall or switch,) is every bit a 1967 look.

[@RiaLake]

Wow, this was excellent and touching. Thank you.

[@majordolbyscat]

Your very welcome!

[@johngibson3837]

Just excellent Dolby thanks

[@plranisch9509]

This is true because in such programs, people take time for each other and finish their sentences, but today, with the advent of so many computers, instead of increasing our time, we found a lack of time at all. An example of indifference has been created between human memories and distant objects, and everything that is broken, instead of being repaired, we buy a new one and regularly upgrade phones. And unfortunately, these don't last long either, they need an upgrade, and in short, if you don't, everything will just be longer than it is now. I think humanity has reached a point where it needs to find itself and make time to talk and be calm in time and space.

[@mixtapesfrommylatepartner]

Really enjoyed. There's something quite cool about the B&W ident on a colour production

[@frankywray3438]

I really enjoyed this , great acting and such a beautiful lady .

[@chalkyc]

fascinating play, and what beautiful direction, we are there in the room with them, im a jealous man, haha.

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

I was watching this and recognized Moffat by name as well as person from Get Carter. As far as the actor...he struck me as very similar to an actor from X Files which I watch almost every night. Lo and behold...it is him !! My mind is blown.

[@karl.weaver]

Indeed, the same actress.

[@rogeruscila2144]

Really lovely, vey engaging.

[@MartinSkerritt]

Lovely piece of work from Alun Owen, who also wrote the three-part drama Male of the Species on this channel.

[@wendyreynolds8940]

Thank you so much--and Merry Christmas! 🎄🎄❄❄❤❤

[@trevordance5181]

I remember this series and I think when Thames took over from Rediffusion they showed repeats of this complete with the Rediffusion logo. I never realised that they made the series in colour though. Really good picture too.

[@Comfortzone99]

They flirted with colour during this period I think the ep 'the pub fighter' was another colour one.However lots of eps missing from this series.

[@rafaellewis4528]

I'd be running for the door after talking to her for five minutes- good grief.

[@moominmay]

I like how it’s an open ending. Anything could have happened. The new lodger may have been a figment of her imagination in a dream but it gives her the strength to move on or he could be real and they become a couple or he says he’s too old for her and becomes a sort of father figure to her! Of course she could also have had a breakdown after going into George’s room and screamed at him to get out and given up the entire lodger business altogether.

[@majordolbyscat]

Any or all of those things ;)

[@HookBeak_66]

You have an inventive mind.

[@RingJando]

Nope - it's far simpler than that - Harrum

[@stevenmcghee6649]

Or either one of them could have been hiding a psychopathic personality. Did she kill her husband? What does he really do between Friday and Monday? I really enjoyed this play - it reminds me in an episode of Rooms.

[@moominmay]

@@stevenmcghee6649 😱

[@micheldurand8716]

Very good actors. Thanks.

[@1061andy]

A very interesting little timepiece - beautifully written and acted.

[@Pureblood10000]

What a beauty😍

[@neiltomkins4713]

I was a teenager in 1967, don’t remember this at all. What a unusual but compelling short story, him being so eloquent and she rather naive. Lovely. Where do you find these treasures Major Darby ? That name seems familiar, possibly from you rang m,lord.

[@majordolbyscat]

Major Dolby's Cat was a tabby cat that featured an episode of Ivor The Engine 'The Cuckoo Clock', in the episode Jones and Ivor visit Mrs Porty who has a bird she needs rehoming and transporting, but there is a threat to the bird when Major Dolby's cat turns up.

[@johngibson3837]

​​@@majordolbyscatI'd best try to look that one up

[@HookBeak_66]

@@majordolbyscat I'll search for Major Dolby's cat straight after this drama.

[@dmdmorg]

And we wonder why everyone's as thick as two planks. A sensitivity like this would never be televised nowadays. Fantastic!

[@HymnfortheDudes]

Rediffusion. Oh my gosh, that takes me back as a child. Three TV stations only but you could click the TV control to the radio as well.

[@susiefoxy8130]

Moved into a flat in the early 80s and it had rediffusion in it, thought it was amazing 😂

[@HymnfortheDudes]

@susiefoxy8130 ...were you the one that used to have late night party's and I lived next door?😉

I wanted the play to continue.

[@paulashe61]

Used to love 70’s play for today.

[@faeryhill1]

Fabulous ❤❤❤

[@jungatheart1036]

A Redifussion programme in colour....can't be many of these!

[@princesshassim6009]

Two great performers, in a super rare piece of Television drama which - apart from anything else - shows that it wasn't just the BBC prepping for the Color change-over in 1967. Bravo to all concerned but especially to you dear uploader for giving this gem a new lease of life and also allowing younger people to get a glimpse of something from the past. Take care.

[@blairmacewancrosbie8646]

What s find! An utter gem. Pureclass and divine acting. The only thing that really dates this is the bowler hat !!

[@ed9763]

Interesting. Incredible acting by her.

[@coolroy4300]

She is simply *Georgous 😮 I was only three .Too young 😂

[@pauls.9228]

Brilliant play!

[@fluffyfour]

Wonderful

[@veganandy152]

Delightful - analogous to a long rally at Wimbledon, perhaps!

[@TonyHiggs-n2j]

Reminds me of later Allan Bennett short plays that had several series.😊

[@johnsymons8246]

Must admit i hung on every word. Which is unusual nowadays.

[@johnmcgrath1929]

Delightful..

[@andersdottir1111]

Wonderful writing and superb acting; the woman reminded me of Diane Cilento. It had the feeling that it could have gone well for her with this lodger or he could be as bad as George. She was very naive. Do you have available Good Behaviour based on the Molly Keane book - it’s my favourite novel but I’ve never seen it dramatised.

[@majordolbyscat]

Sorry I do not but thank you for taking the time to comment

[@pollyfoofoo8703]

That was excellent

[@AndyRubio1]

That was fabulous.

[@AndrewChapman-p9c]

Alan Clarke, a good singer & footballer too.

[@darganx]

A man of many talents!

[@DrDavidWilson_1x]

An interesting wee story with two good actors. I miss the time when there were more of these relatively short plays in the media, mainly TV or radio, and the quality of them. Many films this old seem dated somewhat. Not this one.

[@nilefair5611]

I often feel as if I were made for those days but somehow narrowly missed all the gentility by being born just the slightest bit too late for it all 😊

[@arvidsmith1038]

Alun Owen wrote the screenplay for "Hard Day's Night" .....the Kitchen Sink school.

[@dirtyd7931]

Dang that was awesome

[@Anipen1]

Interesting conversation

[@arvidsmith1038]

This is a wondrous performance , he is upper class, she not so. Sets one to thinking on just how did George pass? George was domineering but always on the other side of the door.

[@JehanineMelmoth]

Thoroughly enjoyable, despite the Pinteresque naive woman with clever man setup. Interesting subtexts and well-acted toing and froing.

[@araucaria5173]

Gee, that was great.

[@vivienneandersson6019]

Thanks!

[@vivienneandersson6019]

I didn't realize that Geraldine Moffat's sons went on to become the writers and producers of one of the most famous video games, Grand Theft Auto among others, are fabulously wealthy and she herself voiced a recent version after having retired in 1980.

[@SB-mm9zh]

Regarding the writers mentioned above, Edna O'Brien was not one of the UK's leading authors - she was entirely Irish.

[@munkypark2560]

When the licence fee was worth it.

[@DevonDandy]

Brilliant two hander from Alun Owen, sustaining and developing dialogue it that pace is a tough call. A bit careless with the boom mike shadow though

[@LeeAirVideos]

I think the actress was in the 1971 film Get Carter?

[@stevenmcghee6649]

She was Glenda