The Linden Tree

Summary

1958 BBC production of The Linden Tree by J. B. Priestley.

Theatre play

The Linden Tree by J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) [more information]

Play synopsis

It is Professor Linden’s 65th birthday. His family, who have gathered to celebrate, urge him to retire. But he feels that he still has much to give. Despite pressure from the family and the university’s Vice-Chancellor he decides to stay on at his post teaching history. All his family, save one daughter, prove themselves to have given up on life in one way or another but he and she remain optimistic.

Production history

Dated to 1947.

Date of transmission

Sunday 8 September 1974

Time

8.15-9.55pm

Series

Play of the Month

Channel

BBC1

Production company

BBC

Credits

Director

Moira Armstrong

Producer

Cedric Messina

Playwright

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984)

Designer

Spencer Chapman

Costumes

Judy Allen

Make-up

Heather Stewart

Cast

Gary Bond	Rex Linden
Michael Craze	Bernard Fawcett
Andrew Cruickshank	Professor Linden
Tina Heath	Dinah
Simon Lack	Alfred Lockhart
Joan Peart	Mrs Cotton
Marilyn Taylerson	Marion
Margaret Tyzack	Mrs Linden
Joanna Van Gyseghem	Jean
Anne-Louise Wakefield	Edith Westmore

Additional details

Play tags

ageing; universities, as theme or setting

Audiovisual sources

Title

The Linden Tree (BBC, 1974)

Archive

BBC Information and Archives [more information]

Address

White City
London
UK

Telephone

+44 (0)20 8008 2288

Website

http://www.bbc.co.uk/informationandarchives/

Access

BBC Information and Archives is not open to the public.

Print sources

Title

Radio Times, 5 September 1974 (Magazine)

Linking notes

image of Priestley on cover; image, listing and article, p. 28