Tales of the Unexpected - "There’s One Born Every Minute"

by Ted Davis

Original Air Date: July 5, 1981

Directed by: Alan Gibson

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: Only one sucker born every minute? That seems much too low an estimate. Although the bulk of Aunt Ida’s estate is bequeathed to her 11 cats — 4 Persians, 4 Siamese, 2 tomcats and “a great big ginger tom the size of a sheep” (mentioned but unfortunately never actually seen) — her conniving niece Margaret Pearson (Heather Sears) also receives a £50,000 inheritance, which she and her equally conniving husband Arthur (Frank Finlay) commit to a shady land grab deal managed by smooth and slippery real estate entrepreneur Edward Cox (Andrew Burt), and it’s no surprise at all to the viewers that multiple double crosses occur before this typically cynical episode concludes.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): In an ultimatum better undelivered, Arthur demands that his mistress Joy (Jo Rowbottom) choose between him and Ronald, her handsome and feisty ginger cat, who is introduced with a nice close-up.

Tales of the Unexpected - There's One Born Every Minute - close up of ginger tabby cat Ronald

As Arthur complains, the cat maneuvers onto a dresser. Once the adulterous husband’s tedious recital winds down, Ronald catapults (with offscreen assistance) onto the lap of Arthur, who promptly tosses the cat on the bed, which elicits a threat from Joy to call the police if Ronald is harmed.