- Title: Family Money
- Date: 30th March 1997
- Summary: A new four-part drama adapted from the novel by Nina Bawden by Ruth Carter. Family Money is a witty, ironic drama about families, greed and money which takes a wry look at the manners and morals of mid-nineties Britain. The central character is an engaging elderly widow, Frances Pye, who throws her family into turmoil when she announces her plan to sell her half million pound Islington house and spend part of the proceeds on a home for her faithful cleaner Ivy. Her son Harry, a harassed producer at the Britain BBC, and daughter Isabel whose own family is struggling to make ends meet, are horrified at the thought of their inheritance evaporating. They want her to move to a smaller house, thereby releasing the "family money". Still suffering the after effects of a violent street attack, Frances refuses to bow to pressure and resolves to follow her own instincts. A chance meeting with her assailant, Jake, leaves Frances with a terrible sense of danger. Her house is mysteriously set on fire and she is convinced she is being followed, but no one will believe her. She cannot turn to her family, who think she is going mad, nor the police, who think she is just a silly old woman. Instead she battles alone with a psychopath who cleverly and cunningly plays a game of cat and mouse. A romantic encounter, some professional advice and a slip up on the part of her assailant enables Frances to turn the tables on Jake; the mouse chases the cat and corners him. Jake now out of the way, her family get their just deserts, and so does she; a new life.
- Description:Jake stands in the door grinning, as the cat and mouse games begin of who knows what. Fanny makes her getaway when the telephone rings. She closes the door on Jake with enormous relief. However the call brings the news that Ivy's husband has been taken seriously ill, and is in hospital. She comforts her friend. Fanny uses this as an opportunity to explain her plan to buy Ivy somewhere to live, however she is piped to the post by the news that she's already had such an offer from her son-in-law and declined. Embarrassed, Fanny offers to do errands for ivy and goes to the library where another chance meeting with Jake occurs. This is another awkward and frightening encounter particularly in the street when Fanny comments on his car being a Vauxhall. Jake is furious, screaming at Fanny. Harry is invited to lunch by his bosses wife. Fantasising all the way. Fanny returns to her house alone unable to talk to anyone about what has happened. she tries to understand why he was so upset over comments on his car. The light is suddenly switched on, Fanny jumps but it's only Rebecca. She has found some books on the doorstep. Following a visit to her sister when Fanny desperately tries to reach out to yet another member of her family, she becomes increasingly terrified as she reaches the house . She is angry at this fear. However, it builds, and builds and when she hears footsteps behind her she is convinced that it is Jake, but it isn't. Once at home she hears someone upstairs, terror again. However it is Ivy. Her husband has died. As a distraction Fanny goes to the Museum of the Moving Image, and bumps into a very old friend Tom Snow, he had been sweet on her sister. There is great warmth between them, and Fanny's heart is lightened a little. She calls her sister on her return and quizzes her about Tom and is delighted to hear that her sister always thought the he was sweet on Fanny not her! Felling rather flattered she goes to the basement to get a bottle of wine. She hears the front door and feet above. She returns upstairs calling to Rebecca....but it's Jake! Smiling broadly and swinging her keys on the end of his finger!
- Broadcaster:Channel 4
- Collection: Channel 4
- Genre:Documentary and Factual
- Producer:Whistling Gypsy Productions LTD
- Programme Episode:Episode 3
- Transmission Date:30/03/1997
- Rights:On Request
- Decade: 1990s