The Ghosts of Motley Hall (1976)
"What they can do when no one can see them"
Synopsis
The Ghosts of Motley Hall is a British children's television series written by Richard Carpenter and produced and directed by Quentin Lawrence for Granada Television, and broadcast between 1976 and 1978 on ITV. Five ghosts occupy the titular Motley Hall. Each hails from a different era and all—with the exception of newly deceased Matt—are unable to leave the confines of the building.
Network
ITV1
Episodes
The Last Uproar
There has always been an Uproar at Motley Hall, until now. The last Uproar, Sir Humphrey, has died, leaving caretaker Mr Gudgin facing two schemers plotting to steal Motley Hall out from under him. It's up to the ghosts to figure out a way to save their home and their way of life (death)!
Old Gory
Old Gory is a Motley Hall Ghost who appears faithfully every five years and can be seen by all, living and ghosts alike. Unfortunately this year, his scheduled appearance is likely to be seen by a ghost hunter and his very perceptive wife staking out Motley Hall. The appearance of Old Gory to the Ghost Hunters would be disastrous for the residents by exposing them and threatening their happy home!
Box of Tricks
The ghosts discover television abd the trouble it can cause when two bumbling crooks use Motley Hall to store eight boxes of stolen wireless TVs. The crooks are thwarted, first by the residents and then by a policeman who is able to see clearly into a crime, and a whole lot more!
Bad Lord William and the British Banana Company
Mr Gudgin has sold Motley Hall to The British Banana Company, but their agent has accidentally released Bad Lord William, surely one of the worst of the Uproar Clan ghosts. It'll take Bodkin's sword skills and Matt's cunning to free Gudgin and contain Bad Lord William.
Perfida Blackart Rides Again
It's just been discovered that Motley Hall is 400 years old, so to commemorate this, the ghosts decide to hold a Masque. But when Bodkin tries to write it, the pages of the history book that might finally identify the mysterious White Lady have disappeared! Was she somebody so horrible that she doesn't want it to be found out and her deep dark secret revealed?
Double Trouble
Matt's joining the other ghosts has certainly made Motley Hall much more lively and interesting for all. However, hiding from the others is a second Matt, one with a secret agenda, and it's not good! And worse, which Matt is which?
The Pogmore Experiment
Once again, poor Mr Gudgin finds himself roped into yet another newfangled way to rid Motley Hall of its 'spirited' occupants. This time, it's a scientist who says they're not ghosts, but merely hallucinations, simply electrical emanations. One by one, Matt watches as his new friends disappear and faces the prospect of eternity alone unless he can figure a way to stop the Pogmore 'solution'.
Cast
Trailer
Details
Original Title
The Ghosts of Motley Hall
Status
Ended
Seasons
3
Episodes
20
Production
Granada Television