On his arrival at a plush London casino, the Optimist (Enn Reitel) discovers that he has become an instant celebrity. What he doesn’t know is that he is actually the identical double of the Boss who owns the club.
After loving and losing his double’s girl Gloria (Eileen Preston), facing the mysterious Mrs Blue (Jenny Runacre), and winning and losing a million pounds on the tables, the Optimist must work out how to make a run to safety from the thugs Syrup and Fig.
ENN REITEL
the Optimist
the Optimist
JENNY RUNACRE
Cousin Rachel
MICHAEL SEGAL
Barman
Barman
EILEEN PRESTON
Gloria
ANN MILES
Lady Croupiere
Lady Croupiere
CHRIS CUNNINGHAM
Syrup
PHIL SMEATON
Fig
ANTHONY HYDE
Sky
director
ROBERT FUEST
production supervised by
ROBERT SIDAWAY
written by
ROBERT FUEST
ENN REITEL
devised by
RICHARD SPARKS
script associate
ROBERT SIDAWAY
producers
ROBERT SIDAWAY
JOHN BRITTANY
photography
FRANCIS DE GROOTE
art director
MIKE PORTER
edited by
JOHN DANIELS
HILARY MAWDSLEY
music score by
JOHN CAMERON
Optimist theme by
DAVID SPEAR
title music arranged & conducted by
JOHN CAMERON
casting by
ALAN FOENANDER
executive producer
DAVID GIDEON THOMSON
assistant director
STEVE FINN
focus puller
JEREMY BRIGDEN
technical assistant
ASHLEY SIDAWAY
gaffer
JOHN PARSONS
sparks
RON HERSCHMAN
JIM KNIGHT
grip
JOHN LAKE
costume
JO KORER
JOHN HIBBS
continuity
CAROL SNOOK
make-up
MADELEINE MASTERS
production buyer
GWENDA FOORD
standby props
ANDY HAMILTON
location manager
KATHY FISHER
runners
SIOBHAN MULHOLLAND
CHRIS MCWATTERS
STEVEN TYE
production manager
STEWART RICHARDS
production accountant
IRENE JAY
production assistant
SUE TONKINSON
assistant to producers
BEV LANGLEY
dubbing editor
JURIS EKSTS
dubbing mixer
TED RYAN
dialogue coach
CECIL KORER
production publicity
ALAN TREWEEKE
camera and lighting equipment
supplied by
CRYSTAL FILMS ASSOCIATES
laboratories
STUDIO FILM & VIDEO LAB
opticals and titles by
LES LATIMER OPTICALS
end credit stills by
JO KORER
TRISTRAM SHAPEERO
copying machine supplied by
NASHUA
The Optimist Company
for Channel Four
and Charisma Films
filmed on location at
The Royal Garden Hotel, London
March 1984
our thanks to
Mazda Cars
