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Tales Of The Unexpected Series 5
01/12/2007 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
Region 2 DVD. pub: Network Serial 7952753 3 DVDs 450 minutes. 18 * 25 minute episodes with no extras. Price: £24.95 (UK). Buy Tales Of The Unexpected Series 5 in the USA - or Buy Tales Of The Unexpected Series 5 in the UK  check out website: www.networkdvd.co.uk
With this, the fifth series of 'Tales Of The Unexpected', there isn't a whisper of Roald Dahl left having used up all his material. This doesn't mean to say that the eighteen stories here aren't worth a look. The series still attracted high calibre actors, including a scattering from the States, no doubt to ensure it being bought there. Of the latter, those of you into 'Lost' might want to look at the story 'In The Bag' where a very young Terry O'Quinn, complete with dark hair, is in a minor role as a policeman.
The common theme throughout all of these stories was having a surprise twist at the end. Oddly enough, there was more crime than murder this time around and a lot of MO varying. John Mills was back for a second part in the series in 'Operation Safecrack' as an ex-safebreaker asked to publicly prove a safe unbeatable but as the story showed, its not so much the safe but how and when to reach the contents. Saying things about these stories without spoiling it for you has always been tricky. I mean, could you work out what an eccentrically dressed clown, played by Derek Jacobi, going about town was really up to in 'Stranger In Town'? What about 'Blue Marigold' where a TV model's short fame, played by Toyah Wilcox, exceeds her return to fame when she hasn't realised what had happened to her ex-lover?
A couple have similar themes but take different paths. There's 'Patterns Of Guilt' where a man, actor Peter Egan, has problems getting a divorce from his second wife to marry his first. Getting rid of the wife also happens in 'What Have You Been Up To Lately'. This is taken to a different comic effect with 'The Skeleton Key' where an X-ray revealing a man has swallowed a key has given an opportunity for the radiologist to get his girl-friend back from a competitor backfiring.
Trying to choose a favourite out of all of these is tough. They all have something unique to offer. I liked 'The Moles' as much for the acting abilities of Bill Owen, Harry H. Corbett and Fulton McKay - each doing roles different to the comedy ones they are more well-known for - digging a hole into a vault.
I'm sure there will be similar feelings towards other stories here. One thing I do recommend is to treat this and the previous four series like wine. Watch one a day and savour rather than a quick fix of too many at a time. Great scripts and excellent performances that still hold up after nearly a quarter of a century.
GF Willmetts
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