Tales of the Unexpected | 21 - Genesis & Catastrophe (1980)

In 1889, Austrian customs officer Alois is desperate his wife Klara will pull through a difficult labour and both she and baby will survive.

"Genesis and Catastrophe: A True Story" is a short story written by Roald Dahl first published in Playboy magazine and included in his book Kiss Kiss (1960).


It is a fictionalised account based upon a true historical incident. It is also known as A Fine Son.


A pregnant lady is worried that she may miscarry for the fourth time. Can her doctor reassure her?


Cast: Helmut Griem (Alois), Hana Maria Pravda (Frau Lemner), Zhivila Roche (Klara), Alastair Llewellyn (Doctor), Graham Seed (Josef), Toby Waldock (Young Alois)

Tales of the Unexpected
1979 - 1988