The Ghosts of Motley Hall — Season 3
What they can do when no one can see them
About this season
The Ghosts of Motley Hall is a British children's television series written by Richard Carpenter and produced and directed by Quentin Lawrence for Granada Television, and broadcast between 1976 and 1978 on ITV. Five ghosts occupy the titular Motley Hall. Each hails from a different era and all—with the exception of newly deceased Matt—are unable to leave the confines of the building.
Episodes (6)
1. Family Tree
Aired 29 January 1978 • 26 min
American couple Darlene and Marvin Dewey are trying to trace Darlene's family tree; Sir George's brother Albert married Darlene's great-great grandmother, his older sister Alexandra never married but legend tells that his younger sister Clara eloped with an American and Mrs Dewey wants to know the truth. She has all sorts of gadgets to get in touch with spirits as she wants to ask Sir George.
2. Ghost Writer
Aired 5 February 1978 • 26 min
A film crew descend on Motley Hall as historian St John Desmond details the house's history for School television, but as they portray incidents from Motley's past, the ghosts notice that the historian has it wrong. Can they, with the help of faithful Mr Gudgin, set the record straight before the name of Uproar is blackened forever?
3. Skeleton in the Cupboard: Part 1
Aired 12 February 1978 • 26 min
The other ghosts feel that Sir George is becoming a tyrant and want to teach him some humility. Sir George seems to have an adverse reaction to his sister Alexandra's croquet mallet. The ghosts wonder what the story is behind this and if it can help them get out from under George's rule.
4. Skeleton in the Cupboard: Part 2
Aired 19 February 1978 • 26 min
Alexandra Uproar is cold towards the other ghosts and bosses over Sir George; Matt has an idea of how to get her out, if Sir George can do what is required.
5. Party Piece
Aired 26 February 1978 • 26 min
Mr Gudgin installs a piano in the hall and the ghosts plan a night of musical entertainment. The piano once belonged to composer Ludwig Stumpf, who doesn't want anyone else—dead or alive—to play it.
6. Narcissus Bullock's Bell
Aired 5 March 1978 • 26 min
Mr Gudgin is doing a spot of gardening and digs up an old bell buried by highwayman Captain Narcissus Bullock, (a former companion of Fanny Uproar. If the bell is rung, it banishes ghosts. Narcissus wants to ring it so that he and Fanny can preside over the hall and entertain all sorts of unscrupulous spirits, but the other ghosts are Fanny's friends.