6.7/10222 votes#1 - Would You Believe It?
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 4/5/1981
Two archaeologists working in Jordan get more than they bargained for when they decide to smuggle the statue of a mysterious woman over the border to Israel.
Director: Barry Davis
Writer: Julian Bond
6.4/10219 votes#2 - Vicious Circle
Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 4/12/1981
An old lady catches Rex Tobin, a young burglar who was planning to rob her, and makes friends with him. But what is she really up to?
Director: Philip Dudley
Writer: Robin Chapman
5.2/10233 votes#3 - The Boy Who Talked with Animals
Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 4/19/1981
When David rescues a giant turtle, it looks as though he's found a new friend, but there could be more to his pet than meets the eye.
Director: Alan Gibson
Writer: Robin Chapman
7.0/10235 votes#4 - The Best of Everything
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 4/26/1981
Desperate to win the affections of his boss’s daughter, Arthur accepts the help of his friend Charlie. But is he ready to count the true cost of love?
Director: John Bruce
Writer: Denis Cannan
6.4/10193 votes#5 - A Woman's Help
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 5/3/1981
Henpecked Arthur decides to get rid of his demanding wife once and for all, so long as he gets her money. Unfortunately, his wife has a few secrets of her own.
Director: Bert Salzman
Writer: Bert Salzman
6.9/10240 votes#6 - Shatterproof
Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 5/10/1981
Property tycoon Gerry Williams is married to the beautiful but unhappy Ellen, and somewhere the marriage has gone terribly wrong. Then an assassin is hired to kill Gerry, and he makes the mistake of getting too friendly with his target.
Director: John Jacobs
Writer: Pat Hoddinott
6.4/10206 votes#7 - The Sound Machine
Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 5/17/1981
A botanist has invented a machine that translates the sound of plants into speech. What he hears gives him a shock.
Director: John Gorrie
Writer: Ronald Harwood, Roald Dahl
6.7/10206 votes#8 - Never Speak Ill of the Dead
Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 5/24/1981
David is accused of murder when his wife Irene vanishes. Her promiscuous lifestyle made her the talk of the town, but the gossip has escalated.
Director: John Gorrie
Writer: John Collier, Robin Chapman
5.4/10184 votes#9 - The Best Policy
Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 5/31/1981
Harry Flock has had a temporary promotion as acting manager of a branch bank. He is honest and meticulous to a fault, but in danger of losing his job when head office gets anonymous complaints about alleged embezzlements. His accounts are immaculate - in fact, they seem too good to be true.
Director: Ray Danton
Writer: David Scott Milton, Ferenc Molnár
6.4/10210 votes#10 - The Last Bottle in the World
Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 6/7/1981
Kyros plans on giving his wife a priceless bottle of wine for their anniversary, but he has no intention of drinking to her health.
Director: John Gorrie
Writer: Denis Cannan
6.7/10203 votes#11 - Kindly Dig Your Grave
Season 4 Episode 11 - Aired 6/14/1981
Madame Lagrue runs a smart but commercial art gallery in Montmartre, Paris, getting rich at the expense of struggling artists. Then one of her victims falls in love with Fatima, an artist's model, and Lagrue is up against someone even more cunning than she is.
Director: Alan Gibson
Writer: Robin Chapman
6.4/10211 votes#12 - Completely Foolproof
Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 6/21/1981
The very rich Joe Brisson is a self-made man with a number of enemies - including Lisa, his elegant but dangerously dissatisfied wife.
Director: John Jacobs
Writer: Robin Chapman
6.8/10206 votes#13 - There's One Born Every Minute
Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 6/5/1981
Arthur and Margaret are a quiet couple. When she inherits £50,000, he reluctantly agrees to gamble it all on a dubious property deal.
Director: Alan Gibson
Writer: Chaim Bermant
6.6/10216 votes#14 - Bosom Friends
Season 4 Episode 14 - Aired 6/12/1981
Nell and Emma are old school friends who are reunited after years apart. However, things quickly turn sour.
Director: Graham Evans
Writer: Robin Chapman
5.5/10195 votes#15 - A Glowing Future
Season 4 Episode 15 - Aired 7/19/1981
Jack and Betsy are lovers. That is until Jack decides to go halfway across the world to be with his new Australian girlfriend. But Betsy isn't going to make it easy.
Director: N/A
Writer: Ross Thomas
6.2/10187 votes#16 - The Way to Do it
Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 7/26/1981
The casino offers Roger an escape from his domineering aunt. He has a love for both gambling and a pretty hostess, but the casino boss has a score to settle.
Director: Alan Gibson
Writer: Denis Cannan
6.9/10220 votes#17 - Hijack
Season 4 Episode 17 - Aired 12/26/1981
A hijacker on an aeroplane takes a stewardess hostage before demanding a million dollars and a parachute. Will the captain give in to his demands?
Director: Herbert Wise
Writer: Denis Cannan
The Best Episodes of Tales of the Unexpected Season 4
Every episode of Tales of the Unexpected Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Tales of the Unexpected Season 4!
A British television anthology of stories, often with sinister and wryly comedic undertones, and a twist at the end. With early episodes written and presented...
Genre:Drama
Network:ITV1
Season 4 Ratings Summary
"Would You Believe It?" is the best rated episode of "Tales of the Unexpected" season 4. It scored 6.7/10 based on 222 votes. Directed by Barry Davis and written by Julian Bond, it aired on 4/5/1981. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Vicious Circle".