Armchair Theatre
Latest episode
S18 E4 · According to the Rules
About Armchair Theatre
Armchair Theatre is a drama TV series that premiered on ITV1 on July 8, 1956. It has 18 seasons and 444 episodes so far and has ended. The latest episode, Season 18 Episode 4 "According to the Rules", aired on September 3, 1974.
Armchair Theatre is a British television drama anthology series of single plays that ran on the ITV network from 1956 to 1974. It was originally produced by Associated British Corporation, and later by Thames Television from mid-1968.
- Drama
Last updated
Episodes
444 episodes · 18 seasons
Season 1
1956 · 42 episodes · Last episode: 69 years ago
- E42Finale
- E41
41. Bed, Board and Romance
- E40
40. While Parents Sleep
- E39
39. The Whiteheaded Boy
- E38
38. It Pays to Advertise
The son of a rich soap manufacturer gets himself in predicaments trying to prove to his father that he's responsible enough for marriage.
- E37
37. Start from Scratch
- E36
36. Escape To Happiness
A famous (married) concert pianist falls in love with a young music student.
- E35
35. Dear Murderer
- E34
34. The Old Ladies
- E33
33. Possession
- E32
32. Rappaport Always Pays
- E31
31. The Heiress
A young naive woman falls for a handsome young man who her emotionally abusive father suspects is a fortune hunter.
- E30
30. Autumn
- E29
29. The Constant Stranger
- E28
28. Hilda Morgan
- E27
27. Catch a Falling Star
What future is there for a forgotten star of the New York theatre?
- E26
26. The Cask of Amontillado
Deep beneath the streets of Italy lie the catacombs of the Montresors, filled with barrels of wine and the bones of the dead. One evening, friends Fortunado and Montresor venture below the city with promises of the rare vintage wine Amontillado and find themselves in a web of betrayal and revenge that changes their friendship forever. Based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe.
- E25
25. This Was a Woman
Olivia Russell is outwardly a devoted wife and mother, the kind mistress of a happy home, and a sympathetic friend. But this suburban respectability conceals a sinister aspect of the feminine.
- E24
24. The Witness
- E23
23. The King of Iceland
There are odd goings-on in the Turkish baths. Is the distinguished stranger among the Colonel Blimps really the "King of Iceland"?
- E22
22. If This Be Treason
- E21
21. Quay South
- E20
20. The Last Flight
- E19
19. The Necklace
Mrs. Kendrick borrows a jeweled necklace from a friend for an important social event. Afterwards it is stolen, and Mrs. Kendrick goes into debt to duplicate it. The thief discovers it's costume jewelry, but Mrs. Kendrick never learns the truth, and struggles for years to pay off the huge debt.
- E18
18. Michael and Mary
- E17
17. Ring Out the Old
- E16
16. Miss Julie
Late 19th century. The young miss Julie lives in a mansion with her father. She has recently broken her engagement but is attracted to one of the servants, Jean. They spend the midsummer night together, telling each other their memories and of their dreams. Realizing that an affair between a man of the people and an aristocrat is impossible, they plan to escape to Switzerland.
- E15
15. The Great Healer
- E14
14. Three O'Clock Deadline
- E13
13. The Same Sky
The theme of Romeo and Juliet reworked in an orthodox Jewish household where Jeff who is a Christian falls in love with Juliet. Both families bitterly oppose the relationship. The story is set in wartime, in the East End of London.
- E12
12. The Face of a Stranger
- E11
11. The Right Thing
When someone is killed in a road accident, Bob Slater wants to "do the right thing". But will he?
- E10
10. The Common Man
- E9
9. The Old Lady Shows Her Medals
- E8
8. The Mother
After a five month trudge through Poland the Kosky family have reached an Austrian labour camp. Their hopes to emigrate to Canada take a desperate turn when Mrs Kosky is diagnosed with tuberculosis.
- E7
7. It's an Ill Wind
- E6
6. The Hollow Crown
- E5
5. Black Limelight
- E4
4. Flash Point
- E3
3. Tears in the Wind
- E2
2. The Handshake / Bid for Fame
- E1
1. The Outsider
Season 2
1957 · 47 episodes · Last episode: 66 years ago
- E47
47. The Travelling Lady
FinaleGeorgette Thomas struggles to keep her family together, but her husband will keep getting into trouble with the law.
- E46
46. The Woman in Question
- E45
45. The Sins of Simone
- E44
44. Noon on Doomsday
After a racist murder, a judge confronts an entire community over its role in the crime.
- E43
43. Wings of the Wind
- E42
42. The House of Bernarda Alba
A domineering, reclusive, and ostentatiously pious widow in a small Spanish town keeps such close watch on her daughters that they are unable to have normal social lives. However, the eldest is allowed to become engaged to an unprincipled young man, primarily for the financial advantages it will bring the mother, Bernarda. Jealousy and envy ensue among the other daughters.
- E41
41. Trial by Candlelight
In Tangiers, a sensitive girl commits suicide. Or was it murder?
- E40
40. Homecoming
Charles Preston, who is running his dead brother's business, increasingly becomes the suspect in a murder investigation.
- E39
39. No Flags for Geebang
In a pub in the small Australian bush town of Geebang the locals look forward to an unexpected visit by the Queen.
- E38
38. The Widower
Paris in spring and a lonely widower Paul Marley leaves a pearls necklace at the table of a young woman. She returns them but agrees to take a room in his home unaware that his secretary is her former boyfriend Gilbert.
- E37
37. Death of Satan
- E36
36. Paid in Full
The rescue of a boy trapped for eighteen hours down a well and the subsequent after effects of those involved in his plight.
- E35
35. Hanging Judge
A judge notorious for his severity becomes implicated in a murder case and learns a lesson in humanity.
- E34
34. Breach of Marriage
- E33
33. Fifty Fifty
- E32
32. The Rat Wife
A writer is trapped in a loveless, unfulfilled marriage to a wealthy woman. The death of their disabled son wreaks havoc on their relationship as they struggle to find redemption for their personal failures.
- E31
31. Wolf Pack
- E30
30. Miss Olive
- E29
29. The Emperor Jones
Unscrupulously ambitious Brutus Jones escapes from jail after killing a guard and through bluff and bravado finds himself the emperor of a Caribbean island.
- E28
28. A Man's Woman
- E27
27. The One Who Came Back
An ex-Luftwaffe pilot is sent to work in the English village where he was captured during the war. What will happen if the villagers recognise him?
- E26
26. Vendetta
- E25
25. Murder Story
Last fortnight in the life of a youth who was sentenced to death for the killing of a police constable.
- E24
24. A Gust of Wind
- E23
23. The Lady of Camellias
A naive young man falls in love with a beautiful, dying courtesan.
- E22
22. The Five Dollar Bill
An American couple discover that their 17-year-old son Ralph has stolen a few dollars of housekeeping money.
- E21
21. Night of the Ding-Dong
- E20
20. Tragedy in a Temporary Town
- E19
19. The Master Builder
A successful, ego-maniacal architect who has spent a lifetime bullying his wife, employees and mistresses wants to make peace as his life approaches its final act.
- E18
18. Man in the Corner
- E17
17. The Shining Hour
A nightclub dancer marries into society and has to contend with her jealous sister-in-law.
- E16
16. Panther 140
- E15
15. The Dividing Line
- E14
14. The Mortimer Touch
- E13
13. Sister
- E12
12. The Human Touch
A doctor pioneers the use of chloroform as an anesthetic during operations, but meets with huge resistance from established medical figures.
- E11
11. Man in a Moon
A convicted murderer is chosen by an obscure country with limited funds as their candidate to be the first man on the moon. Their reasoning being that they might be able to land him there.. but may not be able to bring him back?.
- E10
10. The Great City
- E9
9. The Last Mile
Mears, a convicted killer, is determined not to walk that "last mile" - to his execution.
- E8
8. Ann Veronica
- E7
7. Trial By Candlelight
Never Broadcast on this date. It was rescheduled to become episode 41.
- E6
6. Inch from the Heart
- E5
5. The Pier
- E4
4. Policy for Love
- E3
3. Ghosts
A young student idealizes the lives of the inhabitants of a stylish apartment building in Stockholm only to find that it is a nest of betrayal and sickness.
- E2
2. Now Let Him Go
A world-class painter is taken ill and lies in the bedroom of an inn while people down below squabble over his paintings and inheritance. The wily old man is unperturbed, even regarding the infernal trumpet sound that plays throughout.
- E1
1. Off the Deep End
Season 3
1958 · 50 episodes · Last episode: 67 years ago
- E52
52. Young David
FinaleA gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.
- E51
51. Invitation to Murder
- E50
50. Black Laughter/Double Exit
- E49
49. You'll Never See Me Again
Jim Mason's wife Molly vanishes after purportedly leaving to visit her parents. When Jim calls the in-laws he has never met, he discovers she never arrived. As the mystery deepens, the police suspect Jim of a sinister crime.
- E48
48. Lysette
- E47
47. The Garden Party
- E46
46. A House of His Own
- E45
45. The Grandma Bandit
- E44
44. If You Loved Me
- E43
43. My Lost Saints
- E42
42. Guest Appearance
- E41
41. The Model Marriage
- E40
40. The Devil's Instrument
- E39
39. My Guess Would Be Murder
- E38
38. Wedding Day
- E37
37. The Girl on the Beach
A girl who has lost her memory discovers that she is rich - a fact resented by others.
- E36
36. The Big Client
A satire set in the advertising industry.
- E35
35. Till Death Do Us Part
- E34
34. Hand in Glove
- E33
33. The Shadow of the Ruthless
- E32
32. Parole
The life of a young convict released on parole and torn between the needs of his family and his former criminal associates.
- E31
31. The Trouble with Benny
- E30
30. The Angry Flower
- E29
29. Star in the Summer Night
International singing star Adeline Girard is all but forgotten, then she meets a young couple who do not want to get married.
- E28
28. Strange Meeting
An Italian set suspense drama in which Bruno, a visiting American criminal is introduced to Grazia, an Italian woman whose motives are mysterious by a strange cloaked figure.
- E27
27. No Gun, No Guilt
A courtroom drama in which a young American lawyer is accused of concealing material evidence in a murder case.
- E26
26. The Bird, the Bear and the Actress
A group discover a famous designer and their entrepreneur sees this as a chance to have his name associated with their new production. The leading lady is outraged at the way they intend to exploit the old man.
- E25
25. The Fabulous Money Maker
A drama based on the life of Ivar Kreugar, a Swedish financier who built up a monopoly in the match industry during the 1920s.
- E24
24. To Ride a Tiger
A cabal in an unnamed South American country pulls a coup by choosing a popular dissident as dictator. His well meant reforms are not well received, and as his marriage fails, he shows the people what a real dictator is capable of.
- E23
23. The Thug
The relationship between Lewis, a young tearaway, and Charlotte, a shy girl who works in a record shop with her sick father.
- E22
22. Ernie Barger Is 50
Ernie Barger, a senior partner in a pottery firm, initially celebrates his son's graduation but soon learns that not only is he twenty years behind the times but could also be responsible for his wife's illness.
- E21
21. Hot Summer Night
Jack Palmer, a strong union man, is forced to confront his principles when his daughter wants to marry a black man.
- E20
20. Love and Money
The marriage of a woman from a humble background to a rich Northern mill owner and her growing resentment at what she regards as the condescending nature of him and his family.
- E19
19. Soundings
A lonely doctor with a mysterious past shies away from operating on a friendly Scottish giant aboard a storm-tossed Antarctic whaler.
- E18
18. The Break
- E17
17. The Sentry
An American Civil War drama in which Meade, a Confederate soldier, faces the dilemma of knowing that his brother, who is fighting on the other side, has been left to die in the course of an act of sabotage.
- E16
16. The Criminals
A small construction company's new year's eve party is taken over by a crook who has intricate knowledge of the men's private lives, forcing them into an incredible bank robbery plot.
- E15
15. The Deaf Heart
- E14
14. Dangerous World
A new magistrate takes up a post in a British colony in Africa aiming to uphold justice against corruption.
- E13
13. The Report on Jessie Dean
A bereaved mother, Jessie Dean, steals a baby belonging to a mother who had wanted her child adopted.
- E12
12. Underground
- E11
11. The Boy with Meat Axe
- E10
10. Please Murder Me
A black comedy in which Mr Potz, a rich man who longs to die, hires his own assassin. He chooses Miss Higgins, an eccentric author of detective fiction, to carry out the grim task.
- E9
9. The Greatest Man in the World
Just after a young unknown American becomes the first on the Moon returns, he dies in an accident. He's laid to rest with full honours, but only the president and a few high officials know just what sort of a man their hero was.
- E8
8. The Witching Hour
Jack Brookfield, a gambler with clairvoyant and hypnotic powers, is able to win at cards through his unique gift. But when he inadvertently hypnotizes young Clay Thorne, the youth kills an enemy of Brookfield's while under the trance. No one believes Brookfield's protestations that Thorne is innocent of any murderous intent, so Brookfield teams up with retired lawyer Martin Prentice in hopes of saving the young man from the gallows.
- E7
7. The Terrorist
- E6
6. Time of Your Life
This is a performance of the play "The Time of Your Life" that was telecast on British television.
- E5
5. I Can Destroy the Sun
Senior officials in the British, American and Russian governments all receive the same cryptic and unsigned message - "I Can Destroy The Sun". What can it mean?
- E4
4. Murder in Slow Motion
Racing driver Raymond Sibley faces dangers both on and off the track as he competes in the famous Le Mans twenty-four hour race.
- E3
3. The Franchise Affair
An elderly woman and her spinster niece are accused of kidnapping.
Season 4
1959 · 42 episodes · Last episode: 62 years ago
- E99
99. Cradle Song
- E83
83. A Kind of Kingdom
- E74
74. Wagger
- E53
53. The Irish Boys
- E52
52. Night Stop
Eddy, a young Midlands bargee, investigates the so-called accidental drowning death of a lifelong friend.
- E37
37. On the Spot
Finale - E36
36. Nest of Four
- E35
35. The Innocent
- E34
34. A Phone Call for Matthew Quade
- E33
33. A Night Out
- E32
32. Hold My Hand, Soldier
- E31
31. The Leather Jungle
- E30
30. After the Funeral
- E29
29. Roman Gesture
- E28
28. The Girl in the Market Square
- E27
27. Some Talk of Alexander
- E26
26. China Doll
- E25
25. Pink String and Sealing Wax
- E24
24. Guardian Angel
- E23
23. Come in Razor Red
- E22
22. Night Panic
- E21
21. Cold Fury
- E20
20. Fifth Floor People
- E19
19. Misfire
- E18
18. Where I Live
- E17
17. Lord Arthur Savile's Crime
- E16
16. The Last Tycoon
- E15
15. The Golden Horn
- E14
14. Roast Goose and Walnut Stuffing
- E13
13. Dr Kabil
- E12
12. The Rebel and the Soldier
- E11
11. Suspicious Mind
- E10
10. The Last of the Brave
- E9
9. Small Fish Are Sweet
- E8
8. A Shilling for the Evil Day
- E7
7. A Trick of the Sun
- E6
6. No Trams to Lime Street
- E5
5. The Thought of Tomorrow
- E4
4. Light from a Star
- E3
3. Worm in the Bud
- E2
2. After the Show
Young Victor Liebig returns from the theatre with his eccentric Aunt, when he receives a call summoning them to the flat of his Uncle's suicidal mistress.She's a young, bohemian type and Victor is smitten. She leads him on and he takes her out, but after meeting her friends, realises she's not for him.
- E1
1. The Scent of Fear
Aboard a BOAC plane departing an unnamed Iron Curtain country, a stowaway has convinced a flight attendant to conceal him so he can defect on arrival in London. However, a high-ranking secret police officer posing as a passenger informs her that the man she's protecting is not wanted for his politics; actually, he is a murderer.
Season 5
1960 · 40 episodes · Last episode: 65 years ago
- E40
40. The Night of the Apes
After Clive is dishonourably discharged from the army for failing to shoot an unarmed terrorist, he finds his return to his hometown no easy matter.
- E39
39. The Typists
We see two typists aging as they spend 40 years together in the same office.
- E38
38. The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
The younger son of a working-class Jewish family in Montreal, Duddy Kravitz yearns to make a name for himself in society. This film chronicles his short and dubious rise to power, as well as his changing relationships with family and friends. Along the way the film explores the themes of anti-semitism and the responsibilities which come with adulthood.
- E37
37. The Truth About Helen
- E36
36. The Ship That Couldn't Stop
A ship powered by a nuclear reactor, is heading for the port of New York and is unable to slow down.
- E35
35. Duel for Love
- E34
34. Man on a Mountain Top
A writer who lives in carefully-protected seclusion does not welcome a young woman's intrusion into his life.
- E33
33. Flying High
- E32
32. No Licence for Singing
- E31
31. Danger! Men Working
In Ulster, Major Trumbull is put in charge of overseeing the completion of a hospital on time. As the pressure increases, he replaces well-liked foreman Desmond Doherty with brash Scanling, which angers the men.
- E30
30. The Hero
- E29
29. The Way of Love
- E28
28. The Conscientious Gauger
- E27
27. The Man Out There
A Russian astronaut trapped in space in a faulty rocket, has five hours to live when his radio makes contact with Marie, a hunter's wife also trapped, in a blizzard swept area of Canada. Her daughter is dying of diphtheria, he as a doctor can help her.
- E26
26. The Big Deal
Unscrupulous business Sir Pierson Cale is determined to win the contract to build a power station. He sees John Hamilton as someone who can get the job done but he wants him to bid half a million less than his nearest competitor.
- E25
25. Tune on an Apron-String
- E24
24. The Money Makers
- E23
23. Strangers in the Room
- E22
22. A Degree of Murder
A man and his wife plan to murder his eccentric wealthy sister.
- E21
21. Honeymoon Postponed
Lancashire newlyweds Violet and Arthur Fitton are forced to postpone their honeymoon and move in temporarily with his parents.
- E20
20. The Picture of Dorian Gray
A corrupt young man somehow keeps his youthful beauty, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all.
- E19
19. The Mystery of Martin Wheeler
- E18
18. Till the Day I Die
- E17
17. A Head Full of Crocodiles
- E16
16. The Great Gold Bullion Robbery
Robbery from a moving train? Impossible.
- E15
15. Rain
A prostitute finds redemption in Pago Pago thanks to a hard missionary man.
- E14
14. The Cupboard
When Fred Watson's wife and landlady disappear, and he is seen papering over two cupboards in his bedroom, the police are called in.
- E13
13. Clip Joint People
- E12
12. Mr Nobody
- E11
11. The Stranger
- E10
10. Hail the Conquering Hero
- E9
9. The Cake Baker
- E8
8. My Representative
Ambition takes hold of fashion-house salesman Ronnie Page as he forgets those closest to him in his desire for a successful career.
- E7
7. I'll Have You to Remember
A retired couple with many unresolved old scores to settle, argue and bicker while their world decays around them.
- E6
6. The Siege at Killyfaddy
- E5
5. Thunder on the Snowy
- E4
4. Pig's Ear with Flowers
- E3
3. Lena, O My Lena
Tom, a sensitive Liverpool student, takes a job on a loading dock in a Lancashire factory town. He becomes smitten with a girl named Lena who works in the machine shop next door, and despite a bullying driver who claims her for herself, he manages to take her out on a date.
- E2
2. A Heart and a Diamond
- E1
1. Big Brain Man
Much to the delight of fellow tenants, a tenant becomes the landlord. Their delight is short lived when he starts behaving just like the previous landlord.
Season 6
1961 · 17 episodes · Last episode: 64 years ago
- E17
17. The Fishing Match
Peter drives his uncle and his friends to the countryside to take part in a fishing match. Meeting Kath he tells her stories of his father's travels but discovers a picture of him taken in Skegness and knows he's living a lie.
- E16
16. North City Traffic Straight Ahead
- E15
15. The Hard Knock
A short tempered Irishman returns home after his brother was hanged for murder during a robbery. Though at first determined he was actually innocent, family and friends slowly convince him otherwise.
- E14
14. Dumb Martian
On Mars, Withers a gruff, bigoted pioneer buys himself a Martian wife for company. Like all her race, Lellie cannot speak and Withers treats her like a slave. But he becomes jealous when Weaver, a young scientist, lodges at his camp and treats Lellie sympathetically.
- E13
13. The Irish Boys
- E12
12. Night Stop
Eddy, a young Midlands bargee, investigates the so-called accidental drowning death of a lifelong friend.
- E11
11. Girl In A Birdcage
- E10
10. Night Conspirators
An elderly man is rescued from Iceland. Why would an elderly man need to escape from Iceland? Unless of course its Adolf Hitler.
- E9
9. The Rank and File
An observation on corruption in a US Trade Union.Follows the life of factory worker Bill Kilcoyne from the depressed 1930s to his present day (1959) standing in front of a Senate Committee as a trade union leader.
- E8
8. Tune On An Old Tax Fiddle
When the inland revenue gets an angry mistress's letter exposing a man named Toby as a tax cheat, they quietly put pressure on him. Toby panics, and hires an unscrupulous lawyer named Elvin, but he has a hard time taking his advice.
- E7
7. Murder Club
In the year 2110, Stanley Frelaine is urged by his boss to improve his social connections by taking up hunting.
- E6
6. The Trouble With Our Ivy
A feud over rose-growing escalates to manic proportions when one neighbour acquires a fast-growing creeper
- E5
5. Roll On Bloomin' Death
Its near the end of World War 2, and a young green officer takes over a war weary platoon, he is ordered to take some of them on a raid, but he cannot rouse any volunteers.
- E4
4. His Polyvinyl Girl
A department store closes for the night and instead of going home, the staff realize a musical fantasy amongst the store set pieces.
- E3
3. The Rose Affair
A modern take on the old story of Beauty and the Beast.
- E2
2. Looking For Frankie
- E1
1. The Omega Mystery
Butler and Robinson have to track down a saboteur at an atomic research station before it is too late.
Season 7
1962 · 25 episodes · Last episode: 63 years ago
- E25
25. Living Image
A renowned artist of the old school has his whole world turned upside down, when his son, a young radical and his associates brings modern interpretations of art into his life.
- E24
24. The Snag
When developer John Goggin plans to build a civic centre, only Emma Mannering's corset shoppe stands in the way, and she refuses to sell, so he sends his unscrupulous assistant Ed Crayshaw to "fix" things, but instead he's double crossed.
- E23
23. A Little Night Music
- E22
22. Late Summer
Helga and David travel to a secluded hotel for some alone time. Helga is much older than David and tongues wag among the other guests. The more time they are together. the more their age difference becomes a rift between them.
- E21
21. The Pushover
- E20
20. The Monkey and the Mohawk
- E19
19. The Wednesday Caller
- E18
18. Jungle Juice
- E17
17. Wagger
- E16
16. Power and Glory
- E15
15. The Invasion
Inhabitants in a remote village laughs off and dismiss a couple of schoolboys' claims that they are being invaded by aliens.
- E14
14. The Cruel Kind
Arnold, a soldier who has deserted after a traumatic event on the Berlin Wall, is drowning his sorrows in a pub. A Spanish boy who can speak little English enters the pub begging for help against a lynch mob chasing him, accusing him of molesting the daughter of a local businessman. After recent events, Arnold wants no involvement, but Cissy persuades him otherwise.
- E13
13. The Paradise Suite
After a London premiere, a psychologically troubled Hollywood starlet in a luxury hotel suite meets several men, including a critic, an agent, a bell hop and a photographer, desperately seeking understanding.
- E12
12. Into The Dark
- E11
11. The Hot Potato Boys
- E10
10. Blue and White
- E9
9. Hear The Tiger, See The Bay
- E8
8. Joker
- E7
7. The Big Ride
- E6
6. Thank You and Goodnight
A rather intellectual young woman who has just broken off an affair with a married man meets a rather uncouth pop singer on a train journey.
- E5
5. Always Something Hot
- E4
4. Dead Letter
Relatives gathered for a funeral tea get unexpected news.
- E3
3. Afternoon of a Nymph
An agent invites his young starlet to a party so she can meet all the right people and have a chance to move on from the commercials she has been doing, to bigger roles and possible stardom. However while she is there, she realizes that there is a price to pay.
- E2
2. The Sin Shifter
Fisherman Manny Barnes comes into conflict with the local clergy as he tries to halt the decline in his fishing town by turning it into a gambling spot.
- E1
1. Nothing To Pay
Supporters leave their village for the first time and visit the city to see an away match.
Season 8
1963 · 24 episodes · Last episode: 62 years ago
- E24
24. A Certain Kind of Silence
- E23
23. Exit Joe - Running
- E22
22. That's Where the Town's Going
- E21
21. St. Ernie Leatherbound
A reformed alcoholic businessman wants to prove that his newfound religion works by letting an alcoholic tramp stay in his house and be subject to his preaching. He ignores the protests of his wife and son.
- E20
20. A Jug of Bread
- E19
19. Pleasure Where She Finds It
- E18
18. A Nice Little Business
- E17
17. Cradle Song
- E16
16. Prisoner and Escort
- E15
15. Mug's Game
- E14
14. Always Ask for the Best
An eternal triangle develops amongst shop keepers in shopping parade when an attractive young woman moves in.
- E13
13. Realm of Error
- E12
12. The Pretty English Girls
- E11
11. Last Word on Julie
Beautiful 23-year-old Julie Lister has left home to enjoy the single life. Reckless with money her love life is a disaster but when friends and family receive letters they fear she may have committed suicide.
- E10
10. Sharp at Four
Jean Hobley has a problem, trying to hold down a job that allows her to pick up her child from school.
- E9
9. A Way of Living
- E8
8. The Swindler
Teacher Alec Waterman is released from jail after a sentence for fraud. Dick Sothers gets him a job with Lucas Builders but when Alec starts to make new friends he becomes trapped between his old life and his new life.
- E7
7. The Higher They Fly
Test pilot Fleming's jet develops an undercarriage problem on a passenger flight, necessitating in-flight repairs -- and Fleming is on the ground.
- E6
6. Long Past Glory
Two aging, shabby men inhabit a decaying sewer pumping station. They live by stealing things, including beds, a piano and a gramophone.They're joined by a younger man who disrupts their dreary small talk with angry, upsetting arguments.
- E5
5. The Chocolate Tree
As independence for Africa draws near, a wealthy British trading family welcomes a future president of one country into their home, in an uneasy conversation that is tinged by condescension and racism, grudges and militant anger.
- E4
4. Little Doris
- E3
3. Mr. Big
Mr. Bigelow is a dwarf who works for a carnival. Each night after the customers have gone, he visits the Mirror Maze, where he stands before one mirror in particular, one that magnifies his image many, many times.
- E2
2. The Front Room
A marriage is threatened by a wife's obsession with cleaning.
- E1
1. A Kind of Kingdom
Season 9
1964 · 21 episodes · Last episode: 61 years ago
- E21
21. The Incident
- E20
20. The Man Who Came to Die
Michael and Jo Richardson are celebrating their wedding anniversary at a secluded country cottage. Jo discovers the body of their friend Edward Fellowes in the bedroom and call Dr Clarkson but find his behaviour very strange.
- E19
19. I Loved You Last Summer
A spoof on Dumas's 'The Three Musketeers' as three Irish labourers take on Birmingham.
- E18
18. A Voice in the Sky
After a calamitous space trip, an astronaut returns to Earth to say that he has spoken to God and God wants the world destroyed by a secret organization with nuclear weapons.
- E17
17. A Fearful Thing
- E16
16. I Took My Little World Away
Mandy is in a dark place on the brink of suicide, can Geoffrey persuade her otherwise?.
- E15
15. Keys of the Cafe
The romantic entanglements of a hairdresser, a driving instructor and a wife.
- E14
14. The Vanishing Trick
- E13
13. The Lady with the Albatross
- E12
12. Putty Metal
- E11
11. The Gaming Book
As an experiment, an army junior officer is allowed to join a club of high ranking aristocrat officers. He quickly finds himself out of his depth and humiliated.
- E10
10. I've Got a System
- E9
9. The Hothouse
Harry H Corbett plays a tycoon husband Harry Fender, who has built up the supermarket business from the time he was a delivery boy in his teens - he's now over forty and obsessed with developing the exotic plants in his hothouse.
- E8
8. Sally
Charles Drummond thought he had it made, with an understanding wife and a talented artistic mistress.But when he asked his mistress to paint his mother he had not taken into account the sisterhood, and discovers his habits and foibles provide extensive conversation and much merriment amongst the women.
- E7
7. The Girl in the Picture
- E6
6. The Importance of Being Ernest
In 1890s London, two friends use the same pseudonym ("Ernest") for their on-the-sly activities. Hilarity ensues.
- E5
5. They Throw It At You
- E4
4. Old Soldiers
- E3
3. Something To Declare
- E2
2. The Cherry on the Top
University educated Audrey Inskip is tired of life in the RAF and particularly the constant attention of her senior office. During an afternoon in a pub she become intrigued by Bill Hemmings, a failed salesman who supplies toppings.
- E1
1. The Trial of Doctor Fancy
A Harley Street doctor is charged following the death of a patient. The court case exposes a series of bizarre operations.
Season 10
1965 · 27 episodes · Last episode: 60 years ago
- E27
27. The Long Nightmare
A chance meeting enables Arthur to confront his past.
- E26
26. The Three Barrelled Shotgun
A grieving widow returns home from a holiday, to find her flat occupied by an amiable young man.
- E25
25. The Tilted Screen
The girls in his native Australia regard Morrie as a joke, but on a trip abroad he finds there is much more to life than his home town.
- E24
24. Light the Blue Touch Paper
June Elliott is happily married with a small baby but when an old friend from college, Dennis Sage, asks for a reference she is visited and interrogated her about her past. June begins to put things together and fears Sage in a spy.
- E23
23. Barrett Keller: His Mark
- E22
22. Dead Silence
A Chief Inspector of Police is behaving rather erratically during a murder investigation.
- E21
21. The Noise Stopped
A man is facing a crisis with his neurotic wife, dropout son and bullying, oily boss, who he must suffer while facing office personnel cutbacks. When his job and wife slip away,he finds some redemption in his son's plans for a new life.
- E20
20. The Signal Box of Grandpa Hudson
Wendy is reluctant to take her new boyfriend home, as there are certain aspects of her family that she is embarrassed about.
- E19
19. A Fair Swap
Peter Baynes's business is doing well until he has a visitor from his past.
- E18
18. Great Big Blonde
A barmaid returns home to Dublin, to find things are not quite what she expected to be.
- E17
17. The One-Eyed Monster
- E16
16. The Wager
During a general election a politician impedes his performance because he has placed a bet against himself winning.
- E15
15. Pretty Polly
A girl's Cinderella existence crashes to an abrupt end when her wealthy, cantankerous aunt dies on a cruise ship.
- E14
14. The Match
- E13
13. The Walls Came Tumbling Down
- E12
12. Daughter of the House
- E11
11. Don't Utter a Note
FinaleTwo well meaning spinsters plans in reforming an old jailbird, receive a set back, when unexpectedly into their possession comes a substantial amount of money, which was not made by the Royal Mint
- E10
10. The Night Before the Morning After
The night before the wedding, the Bride-to-be can't stop worrying about foolish doubts about her future husband, keeping her parents up all night. Meanwhile, the Groom is having second thoughts as his flatmate and a party girl distract him
- E9
9. The Battersea Miracle
Joey, a performer in Bancroft's circus, also keeps his own set of performing fleas. One day a flea speaks to him and persuades him to go public with a microphone. The flea's act is a great success, but not everybody is pleased with its message.
- E8
8. Man Without a Mortgage
- E7
7. The Pity of it All
Young miner's widow Nancy Harper works in a sweet shop to support her little daughter, who is killed when accidentally struck by the car driven by Walter Daymer. Nancy drifts into an affair with Walter, not suspecting that he is already married.
- E6
6. Neighbours
The Robinson's like to see themselves as liberals. So when their new black neighbours the Kingsbury's move into their apartment block they are invited for drinks but things don't quite go as they imagined it would.
- E5
5. Ready for the Glory
A marriage bureau pairs a three times married, alcoholic titled lady with an able seaman from the navy. On visiting her villa he finds it also occupied by an eccentric ex-husband, a daughter and another man she calls her 'companion'
- E4
4. The Sweet War Man
- E3
3. A Cold Peace
- E2
2. The Gong Game
Once, long ago, Clive Breeze was a hero whose bravery won him a medal. Now, he's a middle-aged failure who's in big, big troub
- E1
1. The Paraffin Season
Season 11
1967 · 30 episodes · Last episode: 59 years ago
- E30
30. The Heroism of Thomas Chadwick
- E29
29. Don't Forget the Basics
- E28
28. Poor Cherry
A politically-active couple's involvement in an election campaign threatens their marriage through personal entanglements with the candidate and other campaigners.
- E27
27. Split Level
- E26
26. The Girl
The Greens' peaceful existence is interrupted by Felicity, a teenage girl claiming to be Mr Green's illegitimate child. Her friends are also on the way as more unexpected visitors.
- E25
25. Marriage and Henry Sunday
Handbag maker and shy bachelor Henry Sunday is enticed by his landlady and daughter into joining a computer dating agency.
- E24
24. Nursery Tale
- E23
23. The Education of Corporal Halliday
- E22
22. Love Life
- E21
21. Another Branch of the Family
A loner, possibly autistic, is able to relate to the world through his pet monkey.
- E20
20. Quite an Ordinary Knife
- E19
19. A Slight Formality
- E18
18. Compensation Alice
FinaleAlice, married to a boring accountant, suddenly realises that she is no longer in step with the young person she once was. She becomes fascinated with the life of her Au Pair and starts hanging out with her and recaptures her youth.
- E17
17. The Snares of Death
When Harold's undertaking business in a small town is not doing well, he hits on an unusual solution to balance the books.
- E16
16. Depart in Terror
An electronics expert takes revenge on his wife's lover.
- E15
15. In The Name of the Law
The safe with the takings from an all-night café seem easy picking for a trio of villains until some policemen and a gun become involved.
- E14
14. England My England
Happily married Maggie's birthday starts off in the normal way with deliveries of presents and visitors, but by the end of the day her marriage is in trouble.
- E13
13. Will You Come a Little Closer
A young woman is told to get a job meeting people to cure her shyness. However as a door to door representative nothing had prepared her for meeting the likes of John Dolby. Later remade for the Shadows of Fear series.
- E12
12. I Am Osango
- E11
11. Call Me Daddy
A lonely middle-aged businessman blackmails a typist into spending the weekend at his large house in the country. She expects the worst, but he concentrates on something she doesn't expect - making her fall in love with him.
- E10
10. A World of Time
A young wife runs away to her sister, who discovers she has a serious problem with kleptomania which includes trying to steal her husband.
- E9
9. Any Number Can Play
Set in a future where the three-day working week is the norm, the play asks what human qualities will the games people play bring out--love or hate?
- E8
8. The Exploding Azalea
- E7
7. The Happy Sacking
- E6
6. Reason For Sale
Ben Lewis works for an investment group looking buy the former home of Ferenc Davos. However Davos daughter Anna starts making strange claims that her step mother has murdered him and she knows where to body is buried.
- E5
5. Easier in the Dark
- E4
4. Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width
Two partners in tailoring, one Catholic and the other Jewish, spend the time settling their differences.
- E3
3. What's Wrong with Humpty Dumpty
Pompous film director David endures a boring existence with his wife Hilary, a children's-book author--and has a glamorous girlfriend, Caroline. When Hilary finds out about Caroline, she decides to befriend her, then update him.
- E2
2. A Magnum for Schneider
The first adventure of David Callan, top agent for the S.I.S. Forcibly "retired" several years earlier because he had lost his nerve, Callan is called back into service to handle the assassination of Schneider, a German businessman who may be more than he seems. This could be Callan's last chance to prove he's still a worthy agent.
- E1
1. The Floating Population
Nurse Marjorie and young tycoon Bernard play an unusual game of cards.
Season 12
1968 · 16 episodes · Last episode: 58 years ago
- E16
16. The Ballad of the Artificial Mash
- E15
15. One Night I Danced with Mr. Dalton
- E14
14. The Three Wives of Felix Hull
Felix visits a health farm with his third wife, only to discover that his second wife, his daughter by his first marriage, and his stepdaughter are also present.
- E13
13. The Glove Puppet
- E12
12. You and Me
- E11
11. Home Movies
- E10
10. The Escape Club
- E9
9. No Easy Walk
Adjusting to a new life in South Africa is no easy walk for Adrian.
- E8
8. Recount
A housewife finds herself pregnant again just as she is due to attend her daughter's marriage. She recalls her politician husband's reaction to the birth of her daughter over twenty years ago, and contemplates whether she wants to go through it all again.
- E7
7. Unscheduled Stop
A highly-influential religious celebrity's public image is in danger of shattering when a plane must make an unexpected landing.
- E6
6. A Very Fine Line
A man admits to the police a murder in London's busy Soho district, but cannot remember where he left the body.
- E5
5. The Contract
- E4
4. A Second Look
- E3
3. The Scallop Shell
- E2
2. The Wind in a Tall Paper Chimney
Honeybone is an engineer and is contacted by Killick to be told that he is a test for a possible mole in the department and Honeybone's role is to say that he will give away secrets.
- E1
1. Mrs. Capper's Birthday
It is Mrs Capper's 50th birthday and for years she has quietly gone about doing her best to help others. Her kind gestures have not gone unnoticed with her employers and friends joining together to give her night to remember.
Season 13
1969 · 10 episodes · Last episode: 57 years ago
- E10
10. On Vacation
FinaleA New York businessman and his wife on a much holiday needed in Miami find the staff are treating him as if it's his very last holiday
- E9
9. The Story-Teller
Brian a young man, gatecrashes a lively party and intrigues some of the guests with his sombre stories which involves them. There is something ethereal about Brian but is he worth taking seriously?
- E8
8. Edward the Confessor
Nobody takes Edward seriously causing him to seek attention by regularly visiting the police station to confess to the latest murder. However a new guest at his landlady's house is about to give him all attention he seeks.
- E7
7. The Brophy Story
- E6
6. The Good Son
Eddie the son that made good in Canada, returns on a trip to see his London Mum, he has been quite happy to contribute to her welfare but discovers she has a young tenant that has been living rent free for several months.
- E5
5. Go On - It'll Do You Good
Ledbetter works for 'The Ministry of Social Welfare' he is very enthusiastic about getting old people to use the many facilities available to him.
- E4
4. The Manderins
Stanley Marsden is putting himself forward for a top job in the Civil Service, however he is only a grammar school boy, will the old public school boy network hamper his chances?..he must get by that somehow.
- E3
3. What's a Mother For?
Angela, whose husband is abroad, wakes to find she has been sharing a bed with a strange man....and he's dead.
- E2
2. A Foot in the Door
David's mother thinks he would make a good salesman, but he looses his nerve every time he meets a new customer.
- E1
1. The Frobisher Game
While the owners of a country house are away, the servants play a game of impersonating their employers.
Season 14
1970 · 16 episodes · Last episode: 56 years ago
- E16
16. Still Life
FinaleA forgotten and aging actress tries to recapture her youth through her actress daughter's life. Her husband understands what is going on but invariably blames the daughter for his wife's disappointments.
- E15
15. Wednesday's Child
After his wife miscarries, a doctor hires on a private live-in nurse to look after her. As their marriage becomes more strained, the relationship between the two women becomes increasingly close.
- E14
14. The Dolly Scene
Anna can't seem to help ending up with the wrong partner in a line of disastrous affairs. Her hope now lies with a young man from the pop music scene.
- E13
13. Say Goodnight to Your Grandma
A dangerous game of oneupmanship develops between three women - a wife, her mother, and her mother-in-law - when they gather around the newest born addition to the family.
- E12
12. Mrs Davenport
With the help of her sister and daughter, Mrs Davenport lures her husband's lover to her country house. However the girl denies ever having met him, and Mrs Davenport begins to doubt herself.
- E11
11. Poor Mother
Nineteen-year-old Bambi is upset when her husband is late arriving to see their new-born child, especially when she discovers that the wine he has brought is not intended for her.
- E10
10. The Company Man
Agnes realizes 'the other woman' in her and Bob's family life is the company he works for. 'The Company' demands total priority and loyalty in Bob's life.
- E9
9. The Second Interview
A man who has become a slave to buying luxuries tells his wife that he is being interviewed for a higher-paid position at work.
- E8
8. Warm Feet, Warm Heart
Cockney Albert must choose between two women..one who empties his wallet regularly and another who is a cook and feeds him heartily.
- E7
7. A Room in Town
Essentially a piece about wife and husband swapping, partially used for revenge.
- E6
6. The Prime Minister's Daughter
The Prime Minister's career starts to suffer from his daughter's antics and peccadilloes ..but he loves her.
- E5
5. A Young Man in Trouble
What seems to be a major problem turns out to be a false alarm.
- E4
4. The End of the Line
On the Edinburgh to London night train, two strangers in an otherwise empty carriage start to reveal some shocking facts about themselves which turn the journey into a nightmare for one of them.
- E3
3. The World in a Room
Harry Steffans and his coloured wife, Annie, find it difficult to rent a flat.
- E2
2. The Others
Robert and Claire are troubled that their home is also housing somebody else they don't know.
- E1
1. Up Among the Cuckoos
A couple rebel against being forced out of their home (in the name of progress) and into a high rise publicly owned apartment.
Season 15
1971 · 11 episodes · Last episode: 55 years ago
- E11
11. Father's Help
A father who ditched his family life to be free and single again finds some unexpected guests left on his doorstep by his wife who has now done the same.
- E10
10. Man Charged
FinaleA procedural routine murder investigation written by a former Detective Inspector Peter Hill.
- E9
9. Competition
An out of work man must take his son to a school poetry competition while accompanied by his friendly neighbours, of which, he's not too secretly been having an affair with the wife.
- E8
8. Will Amelia Quint Continue Writing 'A Gnome Called Shorthouse'?
They write so many innocent words, but what are the authors of your children's stories really like?
- E7
7. The Girl on the M1
A 'lorry driver groupie' decides to start a new life.
- E6
6. Detective Waiting
A cat and mouse game develops between a big man of crime and a young detective constable. But the big man doesn't realize, that this mouse roars.
- E5
5. Brown Skin Gal, Stay Home and Mind Bay-Bee
In this sad world where words unspoken do more damage than words spoken too much, a woman and her lodger are destined to stay on separate paths.
- E4
4. The Loving Lessons
Mary's husband works away on nights- after returning home from a party she has an unexpected caller.
- E3
3. Office Party
Men behave in a beastly, chauvinistic manner at an office party, turning what should be a fun break from work into an exercise in bad taste.
- E2
2. The Bargain Hunters
A couple buying a cheap painting begin to think that it maybe unique and valuable.
- E1
1. Ireland, Mother Ireland
A play that examines the casualties in a war, such as truth, loyalty, and death.
Season 16
1972 · 12 episodes · Last episode: 53 years ago
- E12
12. The Stumbling Block
Alfred decides his business must keep up and move on with the times, but discovers that the biggest obstacle to change is his own son.
- E11
11. The Folk Singer
FinaleA successful folk singer and his entourage are locked down in a Belfast hotel during the Troubles as the authorities demand him to identify himself as either a Catholic atheist or a Protestant atheist.
- E10
10. Anywhere But England, Old Boy
Jennifer visiting her Dad living on a Mediterranean Island, finds his way of life is now being threatened by local politics.
- E9
9. The Breaking of Colonel Keyser
As the Allies prepare for invasion in 1944, concerns are raised about Colonel Keyser and his reputed psychopathic personality as a good or bad thing when leading his men into D-Day.
- E8
8. The Creditors
Gustave meets a man called Adolph, who tries to show him that Gustave's fiancee doesn't love him.
- E7
7. On Call
Roy and Jean's happy life is shattered by Jean's sudden illness and actually finding a doctor who can help her.
- E6
6. A Fluid Arrangement
Ernie decides to pack up and go to sea, however he had not taken into account the repercussions that would be felt by those around him.
- E5
5. Franklin's Farm
A grandson's attempt to help his grandma produces problems for the family.
- E4
4. High Summer
The peace of an aristocratic cricketing weekend at a large English country mansion in the early 20th century is disturbed when the wayward Bohemian son of the owning family returns unexpectedly to claim his inheritance.
- E3
3. A Touch of the Victorians
An Amateur Drama Troupe putting on a show at an old people's home, start to improvise the script with their own personal problems.
- E2
2. Whatever Became of Me
Peter feels his life has to change, but should he risk his marriage with another woman?
- E1
1. The Left Overs
A blossoming friendship between a businessman and one of his flatmate's ex-girlfriends is challenged when she answers a phone call and inadvertently reveals to his boss that he has been fraudulently claiming expenses.
Season 17
1973 · 10 episodes · Last episode: 53 years ago
- E10
10. That Sinking Feeling
FinaleAt the gathering of a North Country wedding, the prospective husband starts to have doubts about going ahead as he observes what marriage has done to the guests.
- E9
9. Russian Roulette
It's 1865, Fiodor in St, Petersburg is reluctantly supporting his dead wife's family, when he meets new love in the form of Anna and a new life beckons escaping away and traveling Europe.
- E8
8. The Golden Road
A housewife, at first reluctant to have a girl lodger, finds the girl disturbs the home in a totally unexpected way.
- E7
7. Verite
An affluent, happy and conventionally married couple have their preconceptions about life questioned by their guest (an underground American film maker) as they get more and more involved in his latest project.
- E6
6. The Square of Three
An army private decides one day that he's not taking any more orders, precipitating a crisis of confidence for the Medical Corps major assigned to investigate his case.
- E5
5. Red Riding Hood
A repressed junior librarian, frustrated with looking after her sick father, finds herself drawn into a dangerous relationship with the man who might have murdered her mean-spirited grandmother.
- E4
4. Brussel Sprouts-Boy Scouts
Two scout patrols from London's East End, meet up on a holiday in Kent and find it was not what they were expecting at all.
- E3
3. A Bit of a Lift
A man meets a woman at a wedding and manages to sweet talk her, only to end up inadvertently helping out another male.
- E2
2. Beyond Our Means
A couple invite an old school friend for a reunion dinner, it is during the conversation (with the friend now an eminent surgeon) the couple come to the stark realization that their son is showing symptoms of a looming brain tumour.
- E1
1. The Death of Glory
Prevented by health reasons from joining the Army, a man lives out his military fantasies by leading a failing marching band. His life changes when he discovers his beloved ex-Army father has a secret.
Season 18
1974 · 4 episodes · Last episode: 52 years ago
- E4
4. According to the Rules
When an aging ex-IRA man is found dead, a Garda inspector suspects the involvement of his old comrade, now a powerful politician and industrialist. But pursuing the case will likely have consequences for the policeman and his family.
- E3
3. The Virgins
Three Irish bachelors value their celibacy and try to resist the temptations of the flesh, which usually involves some heavy drinking.
- E2
2. Amy, Wonderful Amy
Barbara lives in her own dream world and imagines becoming a pilot like her heroine Amy Johnson.
- E1
1. If You Could See What I Can See
FinaleMiddle-aged Trevor has been estranged from his young wife and son, but when they meet again there are potential problems looming.
Cast & crew
Created by Sydney Newman
Armchair Theatre FAQ
Will there be new episodes of Armchair Theatre?
Armchair Theatre has ended, so no new episodes are scheduled. The final episode aired on September 3, 1974.
When did the latest episode of Armchair Theatre come out?
The most recent episode of Armchair Theatre, Season 18 Episode 4 "According to the Rules", aired on September 3, 1974.
How many seasons of Armchair Theatre are there?
Armchair Theatre has 18 seasons with 444 episodes in total.
When did Armchair Theatre first air?
Armchair Theatre first aired on ITV1 on July 8, 1956.
How do I get notified when new episodes of Armchair Theatre are released?
Download the Streambay app, follow Armchair Theatre, and you'll get a push notification the moment each new episode is released.
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