Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    Banner
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • Shows by Decade
        • 1950s Television
        • 1960s Television
        • 1970s Television
        • 1980s Television
        • 1990s Television
      • Shows by Genre
        • Comedy
        • Drama
        • Kids TV
        • Variety
        • News & Sport
        • Advertisements
      • Shows by Country
        • UK TV
        • USA TV
        • Australia & NZ TV
        • Canada TV
        • Europe TV
        • Japan TV
      • Shows A to K
        • Shows A
        • Shows B
        • Shows C
        • Shows D
        • Shows E
        • Shows F
        • Shows G
        • Shows H
        • Shows I
        • Shows J
        • Shows K
      • Shows L to Z
        • Shows L
        • Shows M
        • Shows N
        • Shows O
        • Shows P
        • Shows Q
        • Shows R
        • Shows S
        • Shows T
        • Shows U
        • Shows V
        • Shows W
        • Shows X
        • Shows Y
        • Shows Z
      • Shows 0 to 9
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • 1950s Music
        • 1960s Music
        • 1970s Music
        • 1980s Music
        • 1990s Music
      • Music A to K
        • Music A
        • Music B
        • Music C
        • Music D
        • Music E
        • Music F
        • Music G
        • Music H
        • Music I
        • Music J
        • Music K
      • Music L to Z
        • Music L
        • Music M
        • Music N
        • Music O
        • Music P
        • Music Q
        • Music R
        • Music S
        • Music T
        • Music U
        • Music V
        • Music W
        • Music X
        • Music Y
        • Music Z
      • Music 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • 1950s Movies
          • Movies 1950
          • Movies 1951
          • Movies 1952
          • Movies 1953
          • Movies 1954
          • Movies 1955
          • Movies 1956
          • Movies 1957
          • Movies 1958
          • Movies 1959
        • 1960s Movies
          • Movies 1960
          • Movies 1961
          • Movies 1962
          • Movies 1963
          • Movies 1964
          • Movies 1965
          • Movies 1966
          • Movies 1967
          • Movies 1968
          • Movies 1969
        • 1970s Movies
          • Movies 1970
          • Movies 1971
          • Movies 1972
          • Movies 1973
          • Movies 1974
          • Movies 1975
          • Movies 1976
          • Movies 1977
          • Movies 1978
          • Movies 1979
        • 1980s Movies
          • Movies 1980
          • Movies 1981
          • Movies 1982
          • Movies 1983
          • Movies 1984
          • Movies 1985
          • Movies 1986
          • Movies 1987
          • Movies 1988
          • Movies 1989
        • 1990s Movies
          • Movies 1990
          • Movies 1991
          • Movies 1992
          • Movies 1993
          • Movies 1994
          • Movies 1995
          • Movies 1996
          • Movies 1997
          • Movies 1998
          • Movies 1999
      • Movies A to K
        • Movies A
        • Movies B
        • Movies C
        • Movies D
        • Movies E
        • Movies F
        • Movies G
        • Movies H
        • Movies I
        • Movies J
        • Movies K
      • Movies L to Z
        • Movies L
        • Movies M
        • Movies N
        • Movies O
        • Movies P
        • Movies Q
        • Movies R
        • Movies S
        • Movies T
        • Movies U
        • Movies V
        • Movies W
        • Movies X
        • Movies Y
        • Movies Z
      • Movies 0 to 9
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Television»Shows by Decade»1980s Television
    1980s Television Drama Shows H 5 Mins Read

    House On The Hill, The

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    1 9 8 1 (UK)
    6 x 60 minute episodes

    These six one-hour dramas told the story of the people who lived in a prestigious mansion on Park Terrace in the West End of Glasgow, from 1878 to the present day. There were no linking characters – only the house itself, as its occupants and its fortunes changed with the passing years.

    Produced by STV, the series debuted on 4 July 1981 with the episode “The Mistress of the House”, set in 1878 when the city of Glasgow was at the height of its prosperity as a great mercantile centre.

    That year the City of Glasgow Bank crashed and this had a profound effect on the growing self-confidence of the new middle classes. And like a bolt from the blue, it sealed the fate of the mistress of the house, Laura Cooper (Jennie Linden).

    The action jumped to 1908 in “Man of Straw” (episode 2) and the house was now owned by the ambitious Liberal MP, Rupert Douglas (Ralph Bates), the only son of shipbuilder Andrew Douglas (Paul Curran).

    Rupert had been persuaded by his agent, Leon Campbell (Brian Cox) that marriage was now the answer to furthering his career. Accordingly, he married Aileen (Angela Scoular), a distant relative of the Prime Minister, and brought her back to Glasgow to be shown off to his constituents.

    In the midst of the election campaign, it was revealed that Aileen was expecting a child. Far from delighted, Rupert regarded his wife’s pregnancy as a nuisance. He won the election but had to resign his seat soon afterwards when the Marconi scandal broke.

    Aileen died in childbirth – and when Leon Campbell became the Liberal candidate, Rupert began to suspect that he had been set up by politicians fare more wiley than himself – his former agent and his doting father.

    Episode 3 (“Semper Fidelis”, written by Fulton Mackay) had an officer of the Highland Regiment entering the house at Park Terrace, anxious to ensure that he had not been followed. His sole companions were a young woman (possibly a servant of some sort) and a young boy called David (Iain Andrew) – the illegitimate son of Sir Archibald Murray MacNeill.

    Bonfield (James Cosmo) – who had been fraudulently impersonating an officer – was the former batman and valet to the now-deceased baronet and had assumed responsibility for David until Murray MacNeill’s will could be found which would ensure that David inherited the townhouse and one-third of his father’s estate.

    When Lady Murray-MacNeill (Anne Kristen) arrived on Armistice Day 1918, it was discovered that the will had perished with Sir Archibald in the trenches and David could inherit nothing. But while the police began to take an interest in Bonfield, her ladyship took a liking to David and decided that her husband’s wishes for his love-child should be carried out.

    By “Credits and Distinctions” (episode 4), it was 1934 and Maisie Gifford (Annette Crosbie) had a successful business as a dressmaker to Glasgow’s society ladies. Her daughter Cora (Lesley Fitz-Simons) attended a good school and Maisie was courted by a local lawyer, George Barton (Edgar Wreford).

    Trouble struck when Cora was assaulted on her way from school after she had been “kept in” for misbehaving. Maisie, a self-made woman with unhappy memories of the way she was looked down on for being poor, was determined to make the school pay for what she saw as their responsibility.

    The subsequent court case and scandal cost Maisie her business, her suitor and her daughter’s affections. It was a powerful stand-alone story of a woman bent on self-destruction.

    “Something For The Boys” (episode 5) took place in 1944, just prior to the Normandy landings in WWII. Glasgow was packed with American servicemen and the house on the hill was being used as a store and lecture rooms by the American 1st Army.

    Jean the caretaker (Rachel Davies) kept the place in spotless condition – but in the evenings ran a clandestine club for the homosexual fraternity in the basement. To this club, one night, came young Glaswegian private Dougie Morrison (James Telfer) on convalescent leave after being wounded in North Africa.

    The series drew to a close with “Nothing Like a Dame” with the house on Park Terrace now housing theatrical digs under the management of landlady Coral McKenzie (Eileen Nicholas).

    The final episode told how the career of Scottish comedian Robbie Kerr (Rikki Fulton) – “the greatest Dame in the world” – was brought to a premature end through the drunken machinations of a fellow member of the Aladdin pantomime company, Dickie Viner (John Kane).

    Laura Cooper
    Jennie Linden
    John Cooper
    Robert James
    Archie Maitland
    Stephen Murray
    Mrs McInstrie
    Phyllida Hewat
    Hester
    Hazel McBride
    Lewis Potter
    Russell Waters
    Henry
    Bill Gavin
    Molly
    Carol Ann Crawford
    Oliver Maitland
    David Ashton
    David Galbraith
    Gavin Campbell

    Rupert Douglas
    Ralph Bates
    Aileen Douglas
    Angela Scoular
    Leon Campbell
    Brian Cox
    Andrew Douglas
    Paul Curran
    Emily Douglas
    Mona Bruce
    McGregor
    Paul Young
    Doctor Carson
    Ron Paterson

    Bonfield
    James Cosmo
    Elsie
    Anne Raitt
    David
    Iain Andrew
    Lady Murray-MacNeil
    Anne Kristen
    Irvine
    Prentis Hancock
    Boreland
    John McGlynn
    Grace
    Ceri Jackson

    Maisie Gifford
    Annette Crosbie
    Cora Gifford
    Lesley Fitz-Simons
    George Barton
    Edgar Wreford
    Mrs Milne
    Bridget Biagi
    Mrs Ramsay
    Eileen McCallum
    Miss Holroyd
    Joan Scott
    Miss Geddes
    Patsy Smart
    Alice
    Anne MacKenzie-Davison

    Jean
    Rachel Davies
    Dougie Morrison
    James Telfer
    Dusty
    Raymond Thompson
    Mrs McDonald
    Rose McBain
    Jon
    Iain Glass
    Luigi
    Peter Berry
    Sergeant Ellwood
    John Cassady
    Captain Brickson
    Richard LeParmentier

    Robbie Kerr
    Rikki Fulton
    Julia Jessop
    Jenny Lee
    Dickie Viner
    John Kane
    Cindy
    Debbie Wheeler
    Coral McKenzie
    Eileen Nicholas
    Peter Proud
    Milton Cadman
    MacLeod
    John Shedden
    McGregor
    Bertie Scott
    Laurie Cameron
    Nicholas McArdle

    Episodes

    The Mistress of the House | Man of Straw | Semper Fidelis | Credits and Distinctions | Something for the Boys | Nothing Like a Dame

    Video

    Related Posts

    • New Monkees, The
      New Monkees, The
      1 9 8 7 (USA) 13 x 25 minute episodes Twenty years after the mammoth success of The Monkees TV series, The New Monkees was…
    • Hope and Keen's Crazy House/Hope and Keen's Crazy Bus
      Hope and Keen's Crazy House/Hope and Keen's Crazy Bus
      1 9 7 0 - 1 9 7 2 (UK) 13 x 25 minute episodes This BBC1 children's comedy series -…
    • Triangle
      Triangle
      1 9 8 1 - 1 9 8 3 (UK) 79 x 25 minute episodes El Cheapo wannabe glamorous soap set on…
    • Alcoa Hour, The
      Alcoa Hour, The
      1 9 5 5 - 1 9 5 7 (USA) One of the finest dramatic shows on US television at the…
    • West Point Story, The
      West Point Story, The
      1 9 5 6 - 1 9 5 8 (USA) Produced with the cooperation of the US Department of Defense and…
    • Lane End
      Lane End
      1 9 7 2 (Australia) 7 x 30 minute episodes Short-lived Aussie serial Lane End debuted on 11 March 1972. Written…
    • Sam's Luck
      Sam's Luck
      1 9 8 0 (Australia) 6 x 30 minute episodes Over six episodes, the ABC series Sam's Luck told the story of…
    • Wild Wild West
      Wild Wild West
      1 9 6 5 - 1 9 6 9 (USA) 104 x 60 minute episodes Entrusted by President Ulysses S. Grant…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleUp Your Alley (1971)
    Next Article No, My Darling Daughter (1961)

    Comments are closed.

    Can you help?
    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love for me since 1998. The site carries no advertising, and I rely on donations to help with the running costs of the site and ensure I can keep Nostalgia Central running for your entertainment and education.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small.


    Thank you so much, and please enjoy your trip in the time machine!
    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • Mystery Science Theater 3000
      1 9 8 8 – 1 9 9 9 (USA) 199 x 97 minute episodes Mystery […]
    • Hatari! (1962)
      What director Howard Hawks did for South American mail plane […]
    • Chicory Tip
      Chicory Tip formed at school in Maidstone, Kent, in 1969. They […]
    • Top of the Heap
      1 9 9 1 (USA) 7 x 30 minute episodes This short-lived series, a […]
    • Carol Burnett Show, The
      1 9 6 7 – 1 9 7 9 (USA) 244 x 60 minute episodes This […]
    • Diane’s Magic Book/Diane’s Magic Theatre
      1 9 6 8 (UK) 1 9 6 9 (UK) Diane’s Magic Book was produced […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    ... See MoreSee Less

    14 hours ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    I remember using whatever one was cherry-flavoured.

    www.raleigh.co.uk/gb/en/look-whos-back/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Look whos back | Raleigh UK

    www.raleigh.co.uk

    They will be available to buy online and at Raleigh Bikes Nottingham. The online sale will have a virtual queuing system in place and at Raleigh Bikes Nottingham there will be a queueing system outsid...
    16 hours ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    FIREBALL XL-5 begins this Saturday, 3rd June at 2:35pm on #TalkingPicturesTV So here's five fascinating facts about the Gerry Anderson's 'Supermarionation' programme!
    1 - The series was inspired by the 'space race' between the USSR and the USA. 2 - 39 episodes were made in black and white. 3 - The series premiered on ATV London in October 1962. 4 - The voice of Steve Zodiac was provided by actor Paul Maxwell. 5 - The famous theme song was sung by Don Spencer.
    ... See MoreSee Less

    2 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 7
    • Shares: 3
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/31/bruce-springsteen-review-murrayfield-stadium-edinburgh

    That's why they call him "The Boss".
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Bruce Springsteen review – after half a century, still having the time of his life

    www.theguardian.com

    Springsteen and the E Street Band feel like a bar band that can’t believe their luck to be playing a stadium – and the enthusiasm is infectious
    2 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Sad news. We wish her well 🤗

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Dame Esther Rantzen says her lung cancer is in stage four

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The TV presenter and Childline founder says she is on a new form of medication for the disease.
    7 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 3

    Comment on Facebook

    Oh no 😢 in my prayers Esther xxx

    Didn’t she want to put the unvaccinated into camps during lockdown…

    That’s not cool 😞

    Another great voice has left us 😪

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Tina Turner: Music legend dies at 83

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Her unmistakable voice on hits like The Best and What's Love Got to Do With It made her a superstar.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 7
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    I found out on tiktok before I saw it on any news channels..

    Terrible, terrible news. Taken far too young. Vale Andy Rourke!

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Andy Rourke: The Smiths bassist dies aged 59

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Guitarist Johnny Marr confirmed Rourke died after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9_xELTfEds

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-65576903 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    The Beatles: Rare first edition White Album given to charity

    www.bbc.co.uk

    A 1968 White Album, complete with original inserts, is given to a Sutton Coldfield charity shop
    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    I recently fulfilled the dream of over 40 years and saw The Zombies perform live (They were amazing!). Their current bass player is a chap called Søren Koch, and this is his regular band - The Beatophonics. If you love 60s Beat music, do yourself a favour and have a listen. They are truly superb. open.spotify.com/artist/5W05FY5rERtVTBippPjold?si=nU5zM8gJSXONAGCWOUrTnA

    variety.com/2023/film/news/beetlejuice-2-release-date-theaters-1235607767/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    ‘Beetlejuice 2,’ Starring Michael Keaton and Jenna Ortega, to Hit Theaters in 2024

    variety.com

    Whether or not you say his name three times, Beetlejuice is returning to movie theaters next year. Warner Bros. has announced that “Beetlejuice 2” will be released on the big …
    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 3
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-65470238 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Why The Wicker Man has divided opinion for 50 years

    www.bbc.co.uk

    It has been described as the Citizen Kane of horror movies - and one of the worst films ever made.
    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Tag Cloud
    Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games British Invasion Britpop Canada Cold War Crime Disco Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen Kraütrock Labels Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Politics Power Pop Prog rock Pub rock Punk Radio Scotland Ska Soul music Sport Surf music Video games
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.