Libel

1

LIBEL:

Directed by.

London, in 1959.

- Gotta match?

- No. I'm sorry, I don't smoke.

- Hello boy.

- Pinka.

- Pink. Thank you.

- Hello, is this yours?

- Yes, he is always doing that.

- He is very friendly.

Don't you believe it.

He bit a man last week.

I'm glad, he is in a better

mood tonight.

Come on.

Good boy.

- On top form tonight Fred?

- I can't do a thing right.

- Good evening, Betty!

- Hello Maisie!

- Would you care for a drink?

- Thanks. I usually have a gin and tonic.

Good. A gin and tonic and a beer, please?

Coming up!

- Are you in town for long?

- No, just two days between clients.

- Have you been to London before?

- Yes, yes.

- I was here during the war.

- Really?

Hey Maisie, I haven't seen you

for days. How have you been?

- Three and three, sir.

- Thank you.

- Gin!

- Thank you. Cheers!

- Cheers!

- Look Maisie...

This is the BBC Television Service.

Tonight in our series, 'Historic

Country Houses'

we are privileged to visit Ingworth,

the home of Sir Mark Loddon.

You join us in one of the loveliest

Elizabethan houses in England.

And here tonight welcome us

Sir Mark and Lady Loddon.

Now Sir Mark, if you will, we'd like you

first of all, to tell us something about

the house and its history.

I think your family has

always lived here, in Ingworth.

Yes, ever since it was built in 1580.

It's a record we rather proud of. The

family built it and we still live here.

Would you like to come on the grand tour?

Very much.

Hey boys, we're missing

the big fight.

Charlie, switch it over.

Excuse me sir.

- Hey, switch that back, will you?

- Leave it Charlie?

- Look, I've got to see that program.

- Well, you ain't gonna see in here, mate.

That's enough sir. I don't want

any trouble here.

- He's got him cold.

- I've got a dollar on him.

- Do you live near here?

- Well yes, just around the corner.

- I share a flat with a girlfriend.

- Good.

What are you getting at?

Nothing doing.

- No No. Have you got a television set?

- What?

Have you got a television set?

Here we are, it's over there.

Doesn't this darn thing work?

- Give it a chance to warm up.

- All right, then. Come on, come on.

Oh, I don't know

what all the fuss is about.

One TV program is same

as any other.

It's quite a great deal these days

maintaining Ingworth.

Yes, if we didn't open the house

to the public at weekends,

and certain other holidays, we shouldn't

able to afford to live here, anyway.

You are the seventh baronet, aren't you?

Yes, I am.

That's the first one there,

Sir John Loddon.

You know it's quite remarkable

after all these years.

- The family like this, I mean.

- Do you think I like him?

- Yes, you got the Loddon face.

- Can't see it myself.

One's a very bad judge

of one's own face.

Oh, yes, darling, he is just like you.

Except for the weight.

- You really want to watch it?

- Shhh...

What a splendid room.

But we hardly ever use it.

Not really since the war.

Of course, you were a prisoner

of war Mark, weren't you?

Yes, I was taken prisoner

at Dunkirk.

When were you released?

I escaped just before the end of the war.

Just in time for the celebrations.

I was in no condition to celebrate,

I was in hospital for 6 months.

Oh... That's lovely, isn't it?

And then you were discharged from

the army and got married soon afterwards.

That's right, yes.

And your son was born in the following

year? - Yes, on Christmas day.

- Are we going to see him tonight?

- Oh, I'm afraid not.

He is asleep in his nursery.

At least, I hope he is.

I dare say, a lot of famous people

have dined in this room. - Yes.

Queen Elizabeth I.

Charles II.

Margaret you're better at this

than I, you take over.

Naturally I'm American. And

you know what Americans

are like when they are

hotfoot after culture.

Well, it was Marlborough

and Disraeli.

And this will surprise you,

Benjamin Franklin. - Really?

- Yes.

- At all around this table?

By the look of it

you are expecting them again this evening.

We've laid it out especially for you.

For me?

For you and the viewers.

It set exactly as it was

for my husband's 21st birthday party.

Is it?

That would be interesting to know

who the guests were on that occasion.

Could you name them for us, Sir Mark?

Ah, the guests...

- You want to know their names.

- Yes.

Well...

mostly just friends and relations.

Won't you name just a few for us?

Just one if you like?

- Well I...

- Don't you remember?

No, I don't remember.

I'm terribly sorry. I

don't remember. Is

anything strange in that?

Not strange at all, pal.

Not strange at all.

As matter of fact my husband hates

all family ceremonies.

- Oh, a lot of people do.

- Well I like them. I love all tradition.

I'm fascinated by

all the things my husband

has always taken for granted.

He's taking a lot

for granted, that guy.

Well don't tell me you know him?

If it's who I think it is, I know him.

I think we mustn't trespass on your time

any more. Lady Loddon we must go.

Come on, your hand.

Let's see your hand.

And to you Sir Mark, being so kind.

- Good night.

- Thank you very much, indeed.

That was a visit to Ingworth

the home of...

Thank Goodness that's over.

Are you going to buy me a drink

or something? I need it.

Here. Buy yourself a bottle.

But... Aren't you coming with me? I

thought you didn't take off the two days.

I may not take off at all.

Oh, thank goodness that's over.

- Good night!

- Good night!

- How do you think it went?

- Fine.

Except when I made a fool of

myself just now. - Oh, nonsense.

His fault was for asking those

stupid questions.

Oh, you can't blame him darling.

It was just bad luck.

- How could he know?

- Know what?

That you can't always remember the things

that happened to you before the war.

What should I have done?

Tell the hell country in general

that the war changed my life?

Except for the memory.

It hasn't changed that much, has it?

Hasn't it?

I don't know.

I was only 26 and I hadn't had a gray hair

on my head.

And now you are an old, old man.

Settled with a possessive wife.

Now that part I rather like.

Darling. Shall we go up?

Ahh, no. Not just yet.

I feel a little restless.

You go up.

I'll join you presently.

All right darling.

- Good night!

- Good night!

I thought you did very well.

Get out! Get out! Get away!

I'm sorry.

- I'm terribly, terribly sorry.

- Oh, darling, darling.

I had to come down. I heard you playing

that same tune again.

Yes, I know you did.

Let me help you. Tell me.

It came from nowhere.

I wasn't even thinking about it.

It suddenly started.

It went on and on and on,

beating in my brain.

And always always stopping

at the same place.

Why does it always do that? Why?

Yes, but this time there

was something more,

wasn't it?

Yes, there was something more.

Standing there I saw a reflection,

behind me in the looking glass.

And then the music stopped.

And I knew then at that moment...

that those two things were

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