Thorley Walters

Thorley Walters

Рождение : 1913-05-12, Teigngrace, Devon, England, UK

Смерть : 1991-07-06

История

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Thorley Swinstead Walters (born 12 May 1913, Teigngrace, Devon – 6 July 1991, London) was an English character actor. He is probably best remembered for his comedy film roles such as in Two-Way Stretch and Carlton-Browne of the FO. He also appeared in the acclaimed TV drama Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Walters played Sherlock Holmes sidekick Doctor Watson in four unrelated films: Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace (1962), The Best House in London (1969), The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975), and Silver Blaze (1977). He featured in three of the St Trinian's movies, starting as an army major in Blue Murder at St Trinian's. He later appeared as Butters, assistant to Education Ministry senior civil servant Culpepper-Brown (Eric Barker) in The Pure Hell of St Trinian's and played the part of Culpepper-Brown in The Wildcats of St Trinian's. In the 1960s he also appeared in several Hammer horror films, including The Phantom of the Opera (1962), Dracula, Prince of Darkness (1966), Frankenstein Created Woman (1967) and Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969). In the DVD commentary to The Man Who Haunted Himself, Roger Moore mentioned that co-star Walters lived in Dolphin Square, the prestigious apartment block in Pimlico, London in which some scenes of the film were shot. Thorley and Richard Hope-Hawkins visited the ailing Terry-Thomas in Barnes, London in 1989. Walters had starred with Terry in the Boulting Brother's film Carlton-Browne of the F.O., and was shocked at his appearance (he was ill with Parkinson's Disease). That visit resulted in the "Terry-Thomas Gala" held in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in the same year which raised funds to help Terry live the rest of his life in comfort. Hope-Hawkins was with Walters and actress Siobhan Redmond, when he died in a London nursing home. Actor Ian Bannen gave the main address at his funeral held at Golders Green. Description above from the Wikipedia article Thorley Walters, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Профиль

Thorley Walters
Thorley Walters

Фильмы

A Cup O' Tea An' A Slice O' Cake - Worzel Gummidge Christmas Special
Colonel Bloodstock
Christmas is coming to Ten Acre Field and Worzel Gummidge (Jon Pertwee) is determined to enjoy it in style. He goes searching for Aunt Sally (Una Stubbs), hoping to invite her to the Scarecrow Ball, but before he can find her he runs into his old friend Saucy Nancy (Barbara Windsor), herself heading for a spell in panto. Then, before he gets much further, our multi-headed hero gets sidetracked again when he runs into angry Scots scarecrow Bogle McNeep (Billy Connolly) and his anti-Christmas brigade. Will Worzel ever get to enjoy the season with his beloved?
A Murder of Quality
Bishop Harry
At the request of his old war time colleague Ailsa Brimley, George Smiley agrees to look into the murder of Stella Rode. Brimley had only just received a letter from her saying she feared for her life at her husband's hand. The husband, Stanley Rode teaches at Carne School, but Smiley is doubtful that he had anything to do with his wife's death. As Smiley investigates, he learns that Stella was a nosy busybody who loved to learn other's little secrets and then gossip about them - or possibly blackmail them. When a student is killed and Smiley unearths a secret, he has the evidence to name the killer.Based on John Le Carré's 1962 thriller (his first) in which George Smiley is brought out of spy retirement to solve a murder in a British public school. The setting is based on Le Carre"s own schooldays in Sherborne and his brief experience teaching at Eton.
He's Asking For Me
After a sheltered upbringing in St. Helena, Norah arrives in England and goes to live in London, taken under the wing of her Uncle and his business associate Andy. She works for the latter and falls in love with him, but he refuses to reciprocate her feelings. When she starts receiving a series of obscene phone calls and letters at home and work, she is determined to identify the caller, and strongly suspects Andy
The Dunroamin' Rising
Mr Finister
Sixty years ago Ian Sinclair was a revolutionary leader. Today he is in an old folks' home, but has not lost his sense of humour, or his appetite for the struggle. In protest at the proposed closure of the home, the old socialist firebrand embarks upon a hunger strike that ends up having wide-range repercussions.
Hammer: The Studio That Dripped Blood
(archive footage)
A retrospective of the films of Britain's Hammer Studios, renowned for making stylish horror films in the 1950s, '60s and '70s. Included are clips from Hammer productions and interviews with actors, actresses, directors and producers who worked on these films.
In the Secret State
Johnny Davenport
A Government Department with data on us all in its computers is not functioning quite as its ex-Head intended. Frank Strange sets out to clear his own name and finds he is investigating a murder.
Маленькая барабанщица
Ned Quilley
Израильские спецслужбы для поимки палестинского террориста Халиля вербуют англичанку Чарли — актрису одного из лондонских театров. Руководитель операции Марти Курц убеждает Чарли «сыграть» роль любовницы младшего брата Халиля — Салима, которого держат в тюрьме. Они разрабатывают убедительную легенду, и палестинцы принимают «наживку» и увозят Чарли в горы Ливана.
Знак четырёх
Major John Sholto
Мэри Морстан просит детектива помочь ей найти отца, который пропал без вести в течение многих лет. Тропа ведёт Холмса и Уотсона к некоему Фаддею Шолто, от которого они узнают, что его отец вместе с отцом Мэри привёз сокровище в Англию после своей военной службы в Индии. Когда его брата убивают, то Фаддея подозревают. Но Шерлок Холмс не верит в его вину и ищет не только отца Марии, но и убийцу Варфоломея Шолто...
Паутина
Hugo Birch
Кларисса, жена дипломата Министерства иностранных дел, дается мечтать. «Предположим, что я приеду однажды утром и найду мертвое тело в библиотеке, что мне делать?» она размышляет. У Клариссы есть шанс узнать, когда она обнаруживает тело в гостиной своего дома в Кенте.
Soft Targets
Old Wedding Guest
A Russian in London finds himself targeted by British Intelligence.
The Wildcats of St. Trinian's
Hugo Culpepper Brown
The girls of St. Trinian's decide they are being asked to do too much work so they go on strike.
Henry V
Charles the Sixth, King of France
The life of King Henry the Fifth.
Люди, забытые Временем
Norfolk
Отправившись в ледяные антарктические пустоши на поиски пропавшего друга, майор МакБрайд со своими людьми оказывается в доисторическом мире, где экспедиция попадает в руки членов жестокого древнего культа.
Silver Blaze
Dr. Watson
1977 adaptation of Conan Doyle's The Adventure of Silver Blaze
Beasts: The Dummy
Sir Ramsey
A washed-up actor has a nervous breakdown and believes that he really is the movie monster that he has been hired to play. Created as an episode of Nigel Kneale’s “Beasts” horror anthology miniseries.
Приключения хитроумного брата Шерлока Холмса
Dr. Watson
Сиджерсона Холмса, младшего брата детектива Шерлока Холмса, раздражает, что он вынужден жить в тени своего великого родственника. Единственный выход — постоянно доказывать свое превосходство над братом. Когда Шерлоку Холмсу и доктору Ватсону необходимо срочно уехать из Англии, Шерлок просит Сиджерсона завершить одно запутанное дельце. Сможет ли Сиджерсон, подражая дедуктивному методу брата, найти пропавшие правительственные документы и вычислить вора?
Goodbye
Chalcott-Bentinck
"All I said was the gramophone's too loud." Tony and Zoe Lyle 's silly row starts like any other, but Tony finds that Zoe means it this time. She's walking out and he's got a week to save a marriage that he hasn't looked at in 18 years, and with it all the trappings of a good life in Maida Vale.
The Apple Cart
Home Secretary
Shaw's comedy of ideologies looks forty years to the future at the impossibility of government as the British cabinet and monarchy face a day of "crisis" for the country. King Magnus is happy to engage a prime minister seeking to transform the nation into a constitutional monarchy, but who truly rules in this democracy: the king, the government or the businessmen? And do any of them care about the people?
Soft Beds, Hard Battles
General Erhardt
In this comedy, set during the Nazi occupation of France, Peter Sellers plays most major male parts, so he stars in nearly every scene, always bumbling in inspector Clouseau-style.
Ring Once for Death
Dr. Ledworth
Recently widowed Laura Vallance returns home to England after many years living abroad. She knows few people in England, but she desires rest and seclusion in her time of grief. However, she is more alone than she bargained for when she hires Roger Masters as her butler. With small doses of poison, the ruthless butler plans to keeps his wealthy employer incapacitated... permanently.
Цирк вампиров
Burgermeister
В Англии XIX века группа горожан уничтожила графа Миттерхауса, похищавшего детей из их города. Граф был вампиром и проклял весь город, пообещав, что кровь детей его убийц возродит его к жизни. Через пятнадцать лет после этих событий в городе разразилась эпидемия неизвестной болезни, а вскоре туда нагрянул цирк с удивительными представлениями, в которых черная пантера превращалась в симпатичного цыгана, а две летучие мышки — в пару акробатов-близнецов.
Mr. Forbush and the Penguins
Mr. Forbush Sr.
Life for Richard Forbush, brilliant biology student and conceited philanderer, is one long round of eat, drink and be merry. But his decision to accept a six-month research post in the Antarctic, making the first detailed study of a penguin colony, changes all that... Living in Shackleton’s derelict hut, Forbush is alone at the frozen edge of the world, his only links to civilisation a two-way radio and letters to his elusive, would-be girlfriend, Tara, in London. Through an often ferocious winter in the company of the penguins, he grows increasingly attached to his hardy, endearing subjects – learning profound lessons in endurance and humility.
Эй! В моем супе девушка
Manager of Carlton Hotel
Герою этой комедии совсем не до смеха — в его жизненный "суп" попадает одна довольно бесцеремонная особа, правда, очень милая, но совершенно без тормозов. И что теперь только не случается с престарелым ловеласом! Что ж, приходится расплачиваться за "беса в ребро"…
Bartleby
The Colleague
An asocial and enigmatic office clerk refuses to do his work, leaving it up to his boss to decide what should be done with him.
Trog
Magistrate
Anthropologist Dr. Brockton unearths a primitive troglodyte -- an Ice Age "missing link": half-caveman, half-ape -- in a local cave. Through medical experimentation, she manages to communicate with him and domesticate him before he's let loose by an irate land developer and goes on a rampage, terrorizing the local citizenry.
The Man Who Haunted Himself
Frank Bellamy
Executive Harold Pelham suffers a serious accident after which he faces the shadow of death. When, against all odds, he miraculously recovers, he discovers that his life does not belong to him anymore.
Франкенштейн должен быть уничтожен
Insp. Fritsch
Барон Франкенштейн – сумасшедший учёный, создавший монстра, якобы в целях науки, пересадив мозг безумного врача в чужое тело.
The Last Shot You Hear
Gen. Jowett
Charles Nordeck is a successful marriage counselor whose own marriage is on the rocks. When his wife Anne seeks a divorce, Charles refuses to sign the papers fearing the bad publicity could ruin his career. The adulterous Anne then convinces her lover Peter to take care of the problem.
Crooks and Coronets
Hubbard
Two crooks are hired to rob an eccentric old lady's estate, but once they get to know her, they can't bring themselves to do it.
О, что за чудесная война
Staff Officer
Мюзикл снят мотивам одноименного спектакля. В мюзикле использованы песни времен Первой Мировой войны. Канун Первой мировой войны. Несколько сыновей из семьи Смитов отправляются воевать на фронт. Они станут свидетелями убийства эрцгерцога Фердинанда, встречи на Рождество немецких и британский солдат на нейтральной территории и массовой гибели ирландцев недавно прибывших на фронт.
The Best House in London
Doctor Watson
In Victorian London, the British Government attempts a solution to the problem of prostitution by establishing the world's most fabulous brothel.
Расшатанные нервы
Sir John Forrester
Мать 21-летнего Мартина балует его как маленького, злобный отчим наоборот ненавидит, а ещё у Мартина есть сумасшедший брат. Немудрено, что на фоне такой наследственности у Мартина развилась шизофрения, и его вторым «я» стал образ шестилетнего малыша Джорджи.
On the Eve of Publication
Holland
TV play by David Mercer. First in a trilogy concerning Marxist novelist Robert Kelvin. The occasion is a dinner party, Kelvin is concerned with a summation of his life, addressed in his head to his lover, Emma.
Frankenstein Created Woman
Dr. Hertz
A deformed tormented girl drowns herself after her lover is framed for murder and guillotined. Baron Frankenstein, experimenting with the transfer of souls, places the boy's soul into her body, bringing Christina back to life. Driven by revenge, she carries out a violent retribution on those responsible for both deaths.
The Family Way
Vicar
Following the wedding of young Jenny Piper and Arthur Fitton (Hayley Mills and Hywel Bennett), a rowdy reception is held at a local pub where the newlyweds are subjected to much well-meaning but vulgar ribaldry. The couple returns to the Fitton home to spend their first night together before leaving for a honeymoon in Majorca, but they are followed by some of the wedding guests who keep the party going until early morning. Worse yet, when the youngsters finally are permitted to retire, their bed collapses as the result of a practical joke.
Другой ящик
Patience
Викторианская Англия. Группа молодых британцев вкладывает деньги в так называемую «тонтину» — систему страхования, при которой всю сумму страховки получает член фонда, переживший остальных. Через много лет в живых остаются только двое — братья Мастерман и Джозеф Финсбери. Мастерман предпринимает несколько неудачных попыток убить Джозефа до тех пор, пока не поступает известие о гибели Джозефа в железнодорожной катастрофе. Казалось бы, путь к богатству открыт, но в дело вмешиваются алчные племянники Мастермана…
The Psychopath
Martin Roth
Inspector Holloway is investigating a series of brutal murders in which a doll of each victim is found at the scene. The dolls, as it turns out,were purchased by the crippled Mrs. Von Sturm, whose home is overcrowded with a doll collection. Her pale, wide-eyed, neurotic son is the prime suspect and the daughter of one of the victims discovers the shocking truth.
Дракула: Принц тьмы
Ludwig
В Карпаты приезжают четверо англичан - Чарлз Кент с женой Дианой и его брат Алан с женой Хелен. Вопреки предупреждению настоятеля местного монастыря аббата Шандора они проникают в таинственный замок, где их встречает смотритель Клоув - «слуга своего умершего хозяина графа Дракулы»...
Сгнивший насквозь
Chief Constable Preston
Джелли, Скапа и Ленни с нетерпением ждут освобождения из тюрьмы, что бы поделить наследство своего босса, Дюка. Но Дюк оказывается жив и задумывает новое грандиозное ограбление.
Joey Boy
Col. Grant
While posters urge austerity and vigilance in wartime Britain, 'Joey Boy' Thompson has never had it better. In a cellar beneath his East London fish shop, a gambling club thrives – and austerity provides a nice black-market sideline. But the dolce vita crumbles when police arrive in a lightning raid, and offer Joey and his fellow reprobates a stark choice: sign up for active service, or face another stint inside. Thus the lads find themselves heading off to Italy, determined to make the best of it...
The Earth Dies Screaming
Edgar Otis
A crack test pilot lands to find the planet has been devastated by unknown forces. There are a few survivors, so he organizes them in a plan to ward off control by a group of killer robots.
Ring of Spies
Cmdr. Winters
The film is based on the actual events of the Portland Spy Ring trial in the U.K. A disgruntled Navy Clerk is transferred to a secret research establishment and is subsequently black-mailed/paid by Czech intelligence to procure secrets for them. He seduces the secretary who controls the most secret documents, and they enjoy the fruits of their treachery until the British authorities begin to close in on them.
Heavens Above!
Tranquilax Executive
A naive but caring prison chaplain, who happens to have the same last name as an upper class cleric, is by mistake appointed as vicar to a small and prosperous country town. His belief in charity and forgiveness sets him at odds with the conservative and narrow-minded locals, and he soon creates social ructions by appointing a black dustman as his churchwarden, taking in a gypsy family, and persuading the local landowner to provide free food for the church to distribute free to the people of the town. When the congregation leaders realise the mistake and call for the Church of England to remove him, this turns out to be a very, very difficult issue - until one clergyman realises that a British project to send a man into space is in need of an astronaut...
Шерлок Холмс и смертоносное ожерелье
Dr. Watson
Шерлок Холмс ищет очень ценное колье Клеопатры, найденное археологами в Египте, которое уже послужило причиной многочисленных загадочных смертей. За всем этим стоит вечный противник Шерлока Холмса профессор Мориарти, автор всех убийств...
Призрак оперы
Lattimer
Действие происходит в Викторианской Англии девяностых годов позапрошлого века, в Лондоне, полном кэбов и газовых фонарей. Призрак в фильме Фишера — совершенно обычный, всю жизнь проживший благополучно человек, и очень милый, благовидный профессор музыки по имени Питри. Он обезображен в результате злодейских происков владельца Оперы с композиторскими амбициями — лорда д`Арси, а также кислотой и пламенем пожара в типографии, куда пришел уничтожить тираж партитуры новой оперы, написанной им и нагло присвоенной лордом.
Petticoat Pirates
Captain Jerome Robertson
Undistinguished British farce (in Technicolor and CinemaScope). Stoker Charlie (the diminutive Drake) helps 150 Wrens under Superintendent Maxine Audley, who've hijacked a frigate, HMS 'Huntress', to prove they're the equal of their male counterparts. Hardly a feminist masterpiece, but fans will relish the nightmare court-martial in which Drake plays all the parts
В 16-50 из Паддингтона
Cedric Ackenthorpe
Мисс Марпл невольно становится свидетелем убийства в купе проходящего мимо поезда. Она сообщает об этом в полицию, но так как никакого тела не найдено, полиция не предпринимает ничего. Приходится старушке самой заняться расследованием этого странного дела…
Invasion Quartet
This British men-on-a-mission spoof set during World War II finds intrepid officer Bill Travers leading three colorful compatriots into Nazi-occupied France to destroy an obnoxiously large, loud, and destructive enemy gun. See if this fearless foursome can stomp their Fascist foes and get back to their game of cricket! Spike Milligan, Gregoire Aslan, and Thorley Walters co-star.
The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's
Butters
The fourth form monsters' latest trick is their best ever – they have burned down St Trinian’s school! As the girls stand trial, the police breathe a sigh of relief, but miraculously the judge's infatuation with a student means the school is freed. For the authorities, it means a new reign of terror as the girls of St Trinian’s regroup with gleeful anticipation.
Two Way Stretch
Col. Parkright
Three criminals plan to break out of prison the day before their release in order to carry out a daring jewel robbery, intending to establish the perfect alibi by returning to jail afterwards. First however they must get out, a task made more difficult by a new, stricter prison officer.
Suspect
Special Agent Prince
A government team researching cures for plague find their results put on the Official Secrets list. One of their number is so incensed by this that he lets the maimed and jealous companion of a female colleague draw him into what, technically, could be a treasonable act.
A French Mistress
Colonel Edmonds
The boys of Melbury Primary School are plunged into turmoil when the new French Master turns out to be a Mistress! Madelin Leforge's (the French Mistress) effect on the boys is swift and amazing. Suddenly everyone wants extra French Lessons just to glimpse the teacher in revealing shorts and bikinis. As discipline crumbles, a scandal explodes when the Head discovers the mademoiselle's mother was an old flame. Madeline must be dismissed to save further embarrassments.
Carlton-Browne of the F.O.
Colonel Bellingham
Great Britain has had an international agreement for the last 50 years with a small pacific island. It has been ignored until the death of their king brings it to the attention of the Foreign Office in Whitehall. They decide to send Cadogan de Vere Carlton-Browne to re-establish friendly relations.
Don't Panic Chaps!
During World War II, four British soldiers are commissioned to set up an observation post on a seemingly deserted island in the Mediterranean. However, while surveying the island, the Brits come across four German soldiers holed up in a monastery. The Brits and the Germans agree to a truce, sharing the monastery together until either the British or German troops arrive. But when a shipwrecked Slavic girl ends up on the island, a battle over her erupts amongst the men.
Happy Is the Bride
Jim
In a quiet summer corner of Wiltshire that is forever England, David and Janet decide to tie the knot. Unfortunately this is the cue for everyone else to take over proceedings, to the dismay of the couple and the increasing despair of Janet's father.
A Lady Mislaid
Mr. Smith
Esther and her sister Jennifer have just taken a remote country cottage. But there is strange gossip about the previous occupants.
Blue Murder at St. Trinian's
Major Whitehart
With their headmistress under lock and key in her majesty's prison, the St Trinian's girls find themselves under the protection of the army. However, when the sixth form take a fancy to winning a trip to Italy through means fair or foul, the army discover this is one battle they can't win. Let loose in Europe, it is not long before St Trinian's have succeeded in endangering European relations.
The Birthday Present
Photographer
Returning from a business trip, toy salesman Simon Scott is caught attempting to smuggle a wristwatch bought for his wife's birthday through Customs. He is arrested and, due to a bungled defence by his solicitor, obliged to serve a three-month prison sentence. It is only the beginning of his woes; his employer, Colonel Wilson, is understanding, but he is ultimately forced to sack Simon, who discovers that finding another job under such circumstances is extremely difficult. But Colonel Wilson is determined to help his former employee find a solution.
Second Fiddle
Charles
Deborah and Charles, young executives at the thriving Pontifex Advertising Agency, are very much in love. Deborah is recognised by her employers as the most brilliant TV executive in the country, while Charles is regarded as 'thoroughly reliable'. But there is one hard-and-fast rule at the agency: the board of directors will not allow any married women on their staff; as soon as a girl marries, she must resign!
The Passionate Stranger
Jimmy
Judith Wynter is a happily married novelist whose romantic works are eagerly devoured by scores of female readers. When Carlo, a handsome young Italian chauffeur, arrives to work for Judith and her husband, a professor currently recovering from an attack of paralysis, he causes quite a flutter; when he then reads the manuscript of Judith's latest novel, he jumps to a rather unfortunate conclusion... and life in the Wynter household becomes very complicated indeed!
The Truth About Women
Trevor Eaton
Baffled and at a loss to understand the mentality of Diana, his wife, Anthony makes a frantic visit to the home of her parents to discover that she is staying with them.
Кто это сделал?
Raymond Courtney
В этом дебютном фильме для дерзкого британского телевизионного комика Бенни Хилла заставляют Бенни оставить свою работу уборщиком после того, как он выиграл немного денег. Он становится частным детективом и расследует заговор с целью убийства британских ученых.
Private's Progress
Captain Bootle
Stanley Windrush has to interrupt his university education when he is called up towards the end of the war. He quickly proves himself not to be officer material, but befriends wily Private Percival Cox who knows exactly how all the scams work in the confused world of the British Army. And Stanley's brigadier War Office uncle seems to be up to something more than a bit shady too - and they are both soon working for him, behind the enemy lines.
You Can't Escape
Chadwick
Novelist Peter Darwin is engaged to heiress Kay March. When he accidentally kills Claire, his former mistress, during a quarrel, he persuades a reluctant Kay to help him bury the body in a wood. When the body is found and with the truth close to being uncovered, Darwin resorts to desperate actions to cover his crime.
Josephine and Men
Salesman
The trouble with Josephine is that her ever-loving and over-sympathetic nature leads her to switch from needful men to even more needful men...
Captain Boycott
Army Officer (uncredited)
Based on real events, this historical drama is set in 19th-century Ireland, when poverty-stricken tenants dispossessed by greedy landowner Capt. Boycott (Cecil Parker) band together to assert their rights. Patriotic farmer Hugh Davin (Stewart Granger) leads the rebels. Choosing nonviolent resistance, the villagers ostracize their nemesis, who squanders his fortune to repair his ruined reputation and wagers what's left on a horse race.
Waltz Time
Stefan Ravenne
Waltz Time is a 1945 British musical film directed by Paul L. Stein and starring Carol Raye, Peter Graves and Patricia Medina. In Imperial Vienna a young Grand Duchess is prevented from marrying the man she loves.
Medal for the General
Andrew
A retired general helps out by sheltering some evacuees during WWII.
It Happened to One Man
Ronnie
A film directed by Paul L. Stein.
Design for Murder
Huey Frazer
When a wealthy, lonely university music student is beaten and has his apartment trashed by a fellow dorm resident-bully and his gang, he goes mad, lures the bully into his room on pretense of forgiveness, slips him a paralyzing agent in a drink, throws him in a trunk and locks him in, and taunts the bully with the promise that he will be buried alive in the trunk. Only, once he gets his trunk and his prey to his country estate, the vengeful victim finds things keep going wrong...
Life of St. Paul
Unidentified role
The Life of St. Paul, including reenactment of the Book of Acts, and St. Paul's Epistles.
The Love Test
Chemist
Romance set in a chemical factory.
Once in a New Moon
Beamish
When a small English town is dragged out into space by the force of a 'dead star' passing Earth, the populace try to organise a local government based on equal rights for all, but conflicts arise between the local aristocracy and the villagers.