Folly to Be Wise 1952

Paris becomes entertainments officer and seeks to lift morale

Captain William Paris, newly appointed as Entertainments Officer at an army camp, is disheartened by the low turnout for a classical music evening. He resolves to find something more entertaining for the troops and begins brainstorming ways to boost morale. This sets him on a path to imitate a brains trust format to spark interest among the soldiers.

He visits The Rose and Crown and discovers a packed pub

He visits a local pub, The Rose and Crown, and finds it packed with soldiers, including his own driver. The lively scene convinces him there is appetite for engagement beyond conventional concerts. He decides to copy the brains trust idea from radio to stage a similar event for the troops.

Gathering the panel at Prout's house

With help from Lady Dodds, Paris assembles a group of local notables to form the brains trust panel. The lineup includes Professor Mutch, George Prout and his wife Angela, Doctor McAdam, and Labour MP Joseph Byres. Arriving at the Prout's house, Paris interrupts Mutch and Mrs Prout who are about to embrace, signaling his early control of proceedings.

Prout's cold treatment of his wife

During the visit, Paris meets Mr Prout, who comes across as cold and verbally abuses his wife. This establishes a fraught dynamic that will spill into the brains trust later.

Panel completed and plans for the event

The brains trust is completed by Doctor McAdam and MP Joseph Byres. Paris, with the help of his secretary Jessie Killigrew, begins arranging the event and secures a hall. The panel is set, and a charged but controlled atmosphere hangs over proceedings.

Event begins with innocuous questions

The hall is relatively well filled as the event begins. Paris and Killigrew start with innocuous questions about cows chasing trains and whether the Moon is inhabited. He bans politics and religion to avoid controversy.

First confrontation threatens to boil over

Tensions escalate when Byres takes offense at a remark aimed at him and threatens to start a fight. The dispute nearly derails the session, but Paris manages to avert violence and keep order. The fragility of the evening's decorum is exposed.

Killigrew's question reveals marital fractures

Killigrew's question about marriage reveals fractures in the Prouts' relationship. The discussion becomes personal, threatening to derail the proceedings. Paris struggles to maintain order as the atmosphere grows tenser.

Interval and a crowded second half

Fearing controversy, Paris announces an interval. Word spreads around the camp and the second half draws a full crowd again. When the second half resumes, Killigrew demands an answer to her earlier question about marriage.

Marital revelations threaten order

In the heated second half, Mrs Prout admits that Professor Mutch is her lover. Accusations fly and the event seems to edge toward anarchy. Paris ultimately brings the proceedings to a close to restore propriety.

Next week promised and applause erupts

Paris closes the event and suggests that next week they will return to classical music with a string quartet. A soldier thanks the chaplain and asks to make the brains trust a regular feature, triggering enthusiastic applause. The response is a mix of admiration and discomfort about the format.

Worry for Prout leads to a private consequence

Worried about Mr Prout, the others follow him back to his house, fearing he may throw himself off the cliffs. They discover instead that he is quietly painting, seeking solitude. This episode softens the view of Prout while highlighting the pressure the evening put on personal relationships.

Mutch's selfishness exposed; Prouts reconcile

The Professor is revealed as selfish, while Mr Prout grows more reasonable. He and Mrs Prout resolve their differences, and Prout resolves to be more considerate toward his wife. The familial tensions begin to ease as personal bonds start to reform.