Tales of the Unexpected

Season 4: Series 4

Series 4

Season • Apr 4, 1981–Dec 26, 1981

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. S4E1 - Would You Believe It?

    Would You Believe It?

    26 min • Apr 5, 1981 (45 years ago)

    Two archaeologists working in Jordan get more than they bargained for when they decide to smuggle the statue of a mysterious woman over the border to Israel.

  2. S4E2 - Vicious Circle

    Vicious Circle

    26 min • Apr 12, 1981 (45 years ago)

    An old lady catches Rex Tobin, a young burglar who was planning to rob her, and makes friends with him. But what is she really up to?

  3. S4E3 - The Boy Who Talked with Animals

    The Boy Who Talked with Animals

    27 min • Apr 19, 1981 (45 years ago)

    When David rescues a giant turtle, it looks as though he's found a new friend, but there could be more to his pet than meets the eye.

  4. S4E4 - The Best of Everything

    The Best of Everything

    26 min • Apr 26, 1981 (45 years ago)

    Desperate to win the affections of his boss’s daughter, Arthur accepts the help of his friend Charlie. But is he ready to count the true cost of love?

  5. S4E5 - A Woman's Help

    A Woman's Help

    26 min • May 3, 1981 (45 years ago)

    Henpecked Arthur decides to get rid of his demanding wife once and for all, so long as he gets her money. Unfortunately, his wife has a few secrets of her own.

  6. S4E6 - Shatterproof

    Shatterproof

    25 min • May 10, 1981 (45 years ago)

    Property tycoon Gerry Williams is married to the beautiful but unhappy Ellen, and somewhere the marriage has gone terribly wrong. Then an assassin is hired to kill Gerry, and he makes the mistake of getting too friendly with his target.

  7. S4E7 - The Sound Machine

    The Sound Machine

    25 min • May 17, 1981 (45 years ago)

    A botanist has invented a machine that translates the sound of plants into speech. What he hears gives him a shock.

  8. S4E8 - Never Speak Ill of the Dead

    Never Speak Ill of the Dead

    24 min • May 24, 1981 (45 years ago)

    David is accused of murder when his wife Irene vanishes. Her promiscuous lifestyle made her the talk of the town, but the gossip has escalated.

  9. S4E9 - The Best Policy

    The Best Policy

    26 min • May 31, 1981 (45 years ago)

    Harry Flock has had a temporary promotion as acting manager of a branch bank. He is honest and meticulous to a fault, but in danger of losing his job when head office gets anonymous complaints about alleged embezzlements. His accounts are immaculate - in fact, they seem too good to be true.

  10. S4E10 - The Last Bottle in the World

    The Last Bottle in the World

    26 min • Jun 7, 1981 (45 years ago)

    Kyros plans on giving his wife a priceless bottle of wine for their anniversary, but he has no intention of drinking to her health.

  11. S4E11 - Kindly Dig Your Grave

    Kindly Dig Your Grave

    26 min • Jun 14, 1981 (45 years ago)

    Madame Lagrue runs a smart but commercial art gallery in Montmartre, Paris, getting rich at the expense of struggling artists. Then one of her victims falls in love with Fatima, an artist's model, and Lagrue is up against someone even more cunning than she is.

  12. S4E12 - Completely Foolproof

    Completely Foolproof

    26 min • Jun 21, 1981 (45 years ago)

    The very rich Joe Brisson is a self-made man with a number of enemies - including Lisa, his elegant but dangerously dissatisfied wife.

  13. S4E13 - There's One Born Every Minute

    There's One Born Every Minute

    27 min • Jun 5, 1981 (45 years ago)

    Arthur and Margaret are a quiet couple. When she inherits £50,000, he reluctantly agrees to gamble it all on a dubious property deal.

  14. S4E14 - Bosom Friends

    Bosom Friends

    27 min • Jun 12, 1981 (45 years ago)

    Nell and Emma are old school friends who are reunited after years apart. However, things quickly turn sour.

  15. S4E15 - A Glowing Future

    A Glowing Future

    26 min • Jul 19, 1981 (45 years ago)

    Jack and Betsy are lovers. That is until Jack decides to go halfway across the world to be with his new Australian girlfriend. But Betsy isn't going to make it easy.

  16. S4E16 - The Way to Do it

    The Way to Do it

    26 min • Jul 26, 1981 (45 years ago)

    The casino offers Roger an escape from his domineering aunt. He has a love for both gambling and a pretty hostess, but the casino boss has a score to settle.

  17. S4E17 - Hijack

    Hijack

    27 min • Dec 26, 1981 (44 years ago)

    A hijacker on an aeroplane takes a stewardess hostage before demanding a million dollars and a parachute. Will the captain give in to his demands?