Play for Today

Season 1 Episode 21: The Rank and File

May 20, 1971 NR 1h 18m 6.7

When a pay discrepancy continues without any resolution, glass factory workers turn to their union for support. But when it is not forthcoming, they take things into their own hands.

Play for Today background

Season 1 Episodes:

Episode 2 The Right Prospectus

2. The Right Prospectus

Aired: Oct 22, 1970

A couple look for the proper school, not for their children but for themselves.

Episode 3 The Lie

3. The Lie

Aired: Oct 29, 1970

A couple are trapped in their marriage and way of life. Locked up in their bo...

Episode 4 Angels Are So Few

4. Angels Are So Few

Aired: Nov 5, 1970

For the BBC's WEDNESDAY PLAY series, Dennis Potter offered one of his "visita...

Episode 5 The Write-Off

5. The Write-Off

Aired: Nov 12, 1970

A man is made redundant but can't bring himself to let anyone know, plunging ...

Episode 7 A Distant Thunder

7. A Distant Thunder

Aired: Nov 26, 1970

A newly-appointed knight finds his celebrations cut short by someone who was ...

Episode 8 Hearts and Flowers

8. Hearts and Flowers

Aired: Dec 3, 1970

A TV host and his architect brother attend their father's funeral. This editi...

Episode 9 Robin Redbreast

9. Robin Redbreast

Aired: Dec 10, 1970

After a long-term relationship ends, Norah moves to a remote house in the cou...

Episode 11 Alma Mater

11. Alma Mater

Aired: Jan 7, 1971

A civil servant working abroad revisits his old school. This edition is missi...

Episode 12 Circle Line

12. Circle Line

Aired: Jan 14, 1971

A cynical student has a radically different view of life from his landlady, l...

Episode 13 Hell's Angel

13. Hell's Angel

Aired: Jan 21, 1971

A couple are distressed by the changes in their adopted teenage son when he j...

Episode 14 The Piano

14. The Piano

Aired: Jan 28, 1971

An old couple refuse to move when they find out that they can't take their pi...

Episode 15 Billy's Last Stand

15. Billy's Last Stand

Aired: Feb 4, 1971

Billy, a self-employed coal-shoveller, gains a seedy business partner and com...

Episode 16 The Rainbirds

16. The Rainbirds

Aired: Feb 11, 1971

A man who attempted suicide by jumping out a window is saved only to live in ...

Episode 17 Reddick

17. Reddick

Aired: Feb 18, 1971

Charges that the Reverend 'Red' Reddick is exploiting his youth club members ...

Episode 18 The Fox Trot

18. The Fox Trot

Aired: Apr 29, 1971

The lives of Gwen and Arthur are complicated when Gwen's long-lost husband co...

Episode 20 Orkney

20. Orkney

Aired: May 13, 1971

A trilogy of plays - "A Time to Keep", "The Whaler's Return" and "Celia" - ex...

Episode 21 The Rank and File

21. The Rank and File

Aired: May 20, 1971

When a pay discrepancy continues without any resolution, glass factory worker...

Episode 23 Everybody Say Cheese

23. Everybody Say Cheese

Aired: Jun 3, 1971

The story of a disintegrating marriage told through family photos. This editi...

Info about Play for Today

Current Status: Ended

Network: BBC One

Genres: Comedy, Drama