The Charmer

The Charmer was a 1987 British television serial set in the 1930s, and starring Nigel Havers as Ralph Ernest Gorse, a seducing conman and murderer, Rosemary Leach as Joan Plumleigh-Bruce, the smitten victim widow and Bernard Hepton as Donald Stimpson, Plumleigh-Bruce's would-be beau, who vengefully pursues Gorse after he has conned her. It was made by London Weekend Television for ITV, and based on the 1953 novel Mr. Stimpson and Mr. Gorse by Patrick Hamilton, the second work in the Gorse Trilogy. The series was repeated in February and March 1990. ITV3 also repeated the series in full at 01:45am from 5 September 2009. Narrative repeats were on Mondays from 7 September 2009 at 10:05am.

Episodes

Gorse, the Tempter

After agreeing to house sit for friend Ronnie Shooter, Ralph Gorse meets solicitor Donald Stimpson for the first time, Stimpson makes the mistake of introducing him to middle-aged Joan Plumleigh-Bruce (with whom Stimpson has 'expectations'). Plumleigh-Bruce is immediately smitten, Ralph meanwhile spots the chance to talk Joan into investing in a business opportunity. Gorse also falls for posh Clarice Manners whom he meets at a 'den of iniquity' with Stimpson.

Gorse, the Investor

Gorse, the Deceiver

Having swindled Joan Plumleigh-Bruce out of £1,000 Ralph has quickly spent it and is now cashing dud cheques. Once more down on his luck Ralph takes back an old car selling job with Harold Bennett, later he is tracked down by Stimpson and Plumleigh-Bruce but having got Bennett's daughter Pamela pregnant manages to wangle his way out of his problems.

Gorse in the Middle

Ralph, having married Pamela as a way out of his financial difficulties is now feeling more trapped than ever, after having their new house, paid for by Bennett, signed over to him, Ralph plans to get his wife out of the way and tries a spot of arson for the insurance money, his wife however has stayed at home after rowing with her parents. Following Pamela's death the insurance company are none too happy about the circumstances and refuse to pay out.

Gorse, The Imposter

Gorse at the End

The body of the man Ralph took the RAF uniform from is washed up on the beach, its reported that the body is Ralph. Stimpson and Plumleigh-Bruce head down to Brighton and it looks like the net is closing in on Ralph. Alison has also realised the truth about Gorse leaving Ralph once again resorting to murder. Gorse then tries to run but doesn't get far before the hangman's noose tightens.