Associated-Rediffusion lured writer Alan Melville from the BBC for this comedy series built around Austrian musician/comedian Vic Oliver (the son-in-law of Winston Churchill), who played Monsieur Victor, Conductor of the Palm Court Orchestra at this (fictional) world-renowned London hotel, who also narrated the series – ostensibly relating his memoirs to an (unseen) journalist.
Other semi-regular supporting characters included fusspot Manager Mr Hay (Brian Oulton), Assistant Manager Mr Griffiths (Leslie Heritage), Mr Pettigrew the Head Receptionist (Tom Gill), and ancient Head Waiter, Luigi (Gordon Phillott).
Guests at the hotel included Donald Pleasence, Liz Fraser, Wilfrid Brambell, Geoffrey Bayldon, Sam Kydd, musical star Mary Ellis, Bonar Colleano, and the African-American singer Elisabeth Welch.
The series debuted on 18 March 1958 and ran until June, screening on Tuesday nights at 10:15 pm. The second series aired between 4 January and 25 March 1960.
Monsieur Victor
Vic Oliver Mr Hay
Brian Oulton Mr Griffiths
Leslie Heritage Mr Pettigrew
Tom Gill Luigi, Head Waiter
Gordon Phillott Crawford
Ian MacNaughton Kate Brett
Joan Benham Commissionaire
Vincent Charles
Episodes
The Prima Donna in 472 | The Millionaire in 901 | The Ballerina in 628 | The Bomb in 777 | The Angel in 405 | The Star in the Penthouse Suite | The Illusionist in 808 | The Ghost in 312 | The Ambassadors on the Mezzanine | The Bride in 506 | The Murderer in 512 | The Rivals in the Rockingham Suite | The Parcel in 206 | The Misprints in 417, 602, 518 | The V.I.P. in 303 | The Cinderella in 104 | The Tramp in 582 | The Puppet in 512 | The Leopardess in 424 | The Murder in 388 | The Monster in Suite 13 | The Hero in 408 | Changes in the Staff
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