LIPSTICK ON YOUR COLLAR {PART 1 OF 6} (TV)
Summary
The premiere in this black-humored mini-series about foreign affairs analysts in the British Military Intelligence Office in London, whose existence is interrupted by the Suez Canal crisis of 1956, as well as the incessant musical daydreams of one of its clerks. The program begins at the war office in Whitehall as Major Wallace Hedges can't stop saying "bum holes," to the consternation of his colleagues. Then, "keen and eager" Private Mick Hopper keys in to Wallace's boredom, letting his mind conjure up a vision of himself singing "The Great Pretender" with his cohorts. Afterward, he doodles some drum music and brings it to Corporal Pete Berry, who is unnerved by Mick's behavior. Later, the distracted Mick composes some more music before dreaming about his stiff co-workers singing "Earth Angel" with him. Wallace remains equally given to ennui, trying to figure out why he joined the army. Col Harry Bernwood gets on Wallace's case for ranting. Then, Mick envisions the whole office breaking into "Little Bitty Pretty One."
Meanwhile, at the cinema, a handsome moviegoer flirts with stunning usherette Sylvia, trying to land a date with her. She reveals that she is married. Back at the office, the men discuss the current situation at the Suez Canal and the potential for war as Egyptian President Abdel Nasser moves his troops into a position that the Brits find threatening. With six weeks left before leaving the army, Mick is worried about the implications of a possible battle. Then, Private Francis "Frank" Francis loudly reports for duty, shocking Harry and his new co-workers by his ineptitude and tardiness. Pete dresses down Frank, calling him "a twit." Harry assigns Frank to Major Johnny Church and tells him that Lt. Col. Charles Trekker, an American officer working in the office, is "not there" and must remain a secret. Frank reports to Johnny, who gives him the low-down on the office and his position as a Russian translator who'll ultimately replace Mick. Johnny encourages Frank to know military words as opposed to "mush." He also tells him to get pretty women out of his head while at the office. Then, Johnny begins to sing "Garden of Eden," at least in Mick's mind.
Afterward, Johnny learns that Frank is taking up residence with his Aunt Vickie and Uncle Fred. Johnny sends Frank home to his aunt's, where he is shown his sleeping quarters. There, Frank also sees the girl of his dreams, but Vickie refuses to talk about her. Eventually, Frank learns that the girl is Sylvia, his aunt and uncle's upstairs neighbor, whom they detest due to her "cheeky" manner and loud music. Vickie claims that Sylvia's husband is a violent spy. Meanwhile, the mysterious Harold Atterbow parks his car outside Sylvia's apartment and watches her window. That evening, the eccentric Fred is upset upon hearing Sylvia's husband, Pete, make a noisy return home. Upstairs, Pete caresses Sylvia, who is vexed by her drunk husband's behavior. Then, the two get into a spat. That night, Frank lies in bed thinking about the sexy Sylvia, while he hears the sounds of the couple fighting. Frank sees Sylvia flee from the apartment into the hall before hearing Pete come out after her. Sylvia complains about being hit. At that point, Frank thinks he recognizes the voice of his co-worker. Pete apologizes to Sylvia for his violent behavior and then forces himself on her in the stairwell. Frank struggles with the thought of his dream girl being treated in such an abusive manner. Meanwhile, the ever-vigilant Harold drives away.
Details
- NETWORK: Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
- DATE: 1993
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:20
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:32359
- GENRE: Comedy; Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama
- SERIES RUN: Channel 4 (United Kingdom) - TV, 1993
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Dennis Potter … Executive Producer, Written by
- Rosemarie Whitman … Producer
- Alison Barnett … Co-Producer
- Michael Brent … Associate Producer
- Renny Rye … Director
- Giles Thomas … Cast, Private Francis
- Ewan McGregor … Cast, Private Hopper
- Louise Germaine … Cast, Sylvia Berry
- Douglas Henshall … Cast, Corporal Berry
- Peter Jeffrey … Cast, Colonel Bernwood
- Clive Francis … Cast, Major Hedges
- Nicholas Jones … Cast, Major Carter
- Nicholas Farrell … Cast, Major Church
- Shane Rimmer … Cast, Lt. Colonel Trekker
- Maggie Steed … Cast, Aunt Vickie
- Bernard Hill … Cast, Uncle Fred
- Roy Hudd … Cast, Harold Atterbow
- Damian Dibben … Cast, Young Man in Cinema
- Carrie Leigh … Cast, Dream Girl
- Kymberley Huffman … Cast, Lisa Trekker
- Abdel Nasser