Tales of the Unexpected

Season 1: Series 1

Series 1

Season • Mar 23, 1979–May 19, 1979

A British television anthology of stories, often with sinister and wryly comedic undertones, and a twist at the end. With early episodes written and presented by Roald Dahl, the series featured a plethora of big name guest stars.

  1. S1E1 - The Man From the South

    The Man From the South

    24 min • Mar 24, 1979 (47 years ago)

    A young American couple on holiday meet a mysterious old gentleman who makes them a macabre wager.

  2. S1E2 - Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat

    Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat

    25 min • Mar 31, 1979 (47 years ago)

    Unable to show her dentist husband, Cyril, the fur coat her lover has given her, Mrs Bixby pawns it and pretends that she found the ticket.

  3. S1E3 - William and Mary

    William and Mary

    25 min • Apr 7, 1979 (47 years ago)

    When her husband William dies, Mary Pearl is shocked that his will stipulates that his brain should be kept alive.

  4. S1E4 - Lamb to the Slaughter

    Lamb to the Slaughter

    25 min • Apr 14, 1979 (47 years ago)

    An enraged detective's wife kills her husband by smashing in his skull with a heavy blunt instrument - but no murder weapon can be found, and the police are baffled.

  5. S1E5 - The Landlady

    The Landlady

    25 min • Apr 21, 1979 (47 years ago)

    When a young man arrives in Bath, he is shocked to find his seemingly charming landlady has a dark side.

  6. S1E6 - Neck

    Neck

    24 min • Apr 28, 1979 (47 years ago)

    A lady is cut down to size by her husband’s loyal butler when it is discovered she is having an affair.

  7. S1E7 - Edward the Conqueror

    Edward the Conqueror

    25 min • May 5, 1979 (47 years ago)

    When Edward grows tired of Louisa’s obsession with a stray cat and decides to get rid of it, she exacts her revenge.

  8. S1E8 - A Dip in the Pool

    A Dip in the Pool

    25 min • May 12, 1979 (47 years ago)

    An American gambler must come up with a cunning plan to slow down a ship at sea in order to win a bet.

  9. S1E9 - The Way Up to Heaven

    The Way Up to Heaven

    25 min • May 19, 1979 (47 years ago)

    Mrs Foster exacts an intriguing revenge on her husband after his dawdling causes her to miss a flight.