Bass Player and the Blonde, The

1 9 7 8 (UK)
1 x 60 minute episodes
1 9 7 9 (UK)
3 x 60 minute episodes

Edward Woodward starred as George Mangham, a gifted but seedy and world-weary jazz composer who has fallen on hard times and who now works as a bass player at ‘Larry’s Club’ in London.

George lives alone with his cat, drinks endlessly, plans on marrying the wealthy Mrs Merino (whom he does not love) and is forever being chased by gangsters eager to recover steep gambling debts.

George meets the beautiful and headstrong blonde Terry (Jane Wymark), who is soon to marry the nerdy but rich Nigel. With a life of respectability ahead of her, she wants to end her status as a single woman by singing in a live band.

Her father Charlie (Ronald Fraser) is against the idea, so she runs away from home.

After completing her song, she goes to the station to catch the train home but finds she has forgotten to bring money and cannot afford the fare. George offers to put her up for the night – and their unlikely relationship begins.

Originally aired as a one-off self-contained story on ITV Playhouse, a three-part sequel the following year continued the story of the unlikely liaison with Terry jilting Nigel at the altar to run off with George in his battered Mini, incurring the wrath of her dad.

George Mangham
Edward Woodward 
Terry Weston
Jane Wymark 
Mrs Merino
Mary Kerridge 
Nigel
Jeremy Sinden
Charlie Weston
Ronald Fraser
Beth
Betty McDowall
Max
Sam Kydd
Lenny
Stanley Lebor
Platt
Barry Linehan