Michael Goodliffe starred in the title role of this four-part BBC2 drama series, premiering on Saturday 4 May 1968. The series was adapted for television by playwright David Turner from the well-known novel by Honore de Balzac and set in Paris in 1819.
Monsieur Goriot reduces himself to poverty to meet the demands of his avaricious and ungrateful daughters, Anastasie (Angela Browne) and Delphine (June Ritchie), selling his possessions whenever they complain about needing cash.
In turn, the daughters use the money to try and keep the affections of their less-than-caring husbands.
After years of providing for his daughters, marrying them into the aristocracy, paying off their debts and catering to their whims, Goriot is forced to move into a seedy boarding house run by Madame Vaquer.
Also living in the rooming house is impecunious young student Eugene de Rastignac (David Dundas), who is determined to enter into Parisian society. Eugene is taken under the wing of the slightly sinister Vautrin (Andrew Keir), who takes a liking to him and uses him to snare a rich heiress.
Eugene falls in love with Goriot’s daughter, Delphine, causing Pere Goirot to give Delphine the last of his money so she and Eugene can buy a new home. But Delphine’s husband, Baron von Nucingen (Walter Gotell), threatens her with imprisonment.
Pere Goriot
Michael Goodliffe Sylvie
Patsy Rowlands Poiret
Michael Bilton Blanchon
David Weston Eugene de Rastignac
David Dundas Mlle. Michonneau
Cynthia Etherington Madame Vacquer
Pat Nye Vautrin
Andrew Keir Victorine
Anna Cropper Madame de Beauseant
Moira Redmond Delphine
June Ritchie Madame Couture
Betty Cooper Baron von Nucingen
Walter Gotell Anastasie
Angela Browne Comte de Restaud
William Dexter Therese
Elizabeth Digby-Smith
Episodes
Gilded Youth | The Mandarin | Vautrin | Father
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