The Smile that Wins
Encyclopedia
"The Smile that Wins" is a short story
by the British comic writer P. G. Wodehouse. A part of the Mr. Mulliner series, the story was first published in the United States, in the October 1931 issue of American Magazine
. It was subsequently published in the United Kingdom, in the February 1932 issue of Strand Magazine
, before being collected in Mulliner Nights
(1933).
The story was adapted for television as part of the third series of BBC's Wodehouse Playhouse
and was first shown on 31 October 1978, with John Alderton
as Adrian Mulliner.
It was adapted for radio as part of the BBC's series Meet Mr Mulliner, being first broadcast on 13 May 2002.
Heartbroken, Adrian has a bad attack of dyspepsia (he suffers from the disease and it was the melancholic dyspeptic look that first attracted Millicent) and a doctor advises him that the best cure for dyspepsia is to smile. Adrian, who hasn't smiled since he was twelve ("I saw the butler trip on a spaniel and upset the melted butter all over Aunt Elizabeth"), has a smile that seems to say 'I know all' and causes a great deal of nervousness amongst people with something to hide.
A kleptomaniac Baronet helping himself to a fish slice
at a wedding is his first victim and Adrian finds himself invited to the Baronet's country home where he finds the Fifth Earl of Brangbolton in residence. After he solves the case of the missing soap (it had shot out of the Earl's hands while he was singing "Sonny Boy") he unleashes his smile on Sir Jasper Addleton who, guilty like all financiers, hands him a check for a hundred thousand pounds.
With this hundred thousand pounds in hand, and the unfortunate effect of the smile on the Earl just as the Earl was cheating at cards, Adrian gets the Earl's blessing to marry Millicent.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by the British comic writer P. G. Wodehouse. A part of the Mr. Mulliner series, the story was first published in the United States, in the October 1931 issue of American Magazine
American Magazine
The American Magazine was a periodical publication founded in June 1906, a continuation of failed publications purchased a few years earlier from publishing mogul Miriam Leslie...
. It was subsequently published in the United Kingdom, in the February 1932 issue of Strand Magazine
Strand Magazine
The Strand Magazine was a monthly magazine composed of fictional stories and factual articles founded by George Newnes. It was first published in the United Kingdom from January 1891 to March 1950 running to 711 issues, though the first issue was on sale well before Christmas 1890.Its immediate...
, before being collected in Mulliner Nights
Mulliner Nights
Mulliner Nights is a collection of short stories by P. G. Wodehouse. First published in the United Kingdom on 17 January 1933 by Herbert Jenkins, and in the United States on 15 February 1933 by Doubleday, Doran, it is the third collection featuring Mr Mulliner, who narrates all nine stories...
(1933).
The story was adapted for television as part of the third series of BBC's Wodehouse Playhouse
Wodehouse Playhouse
Wodehouse Playhouse is a British television comedy series based on the short stories of P. G. Wodehouse. From 1975 to 1978, three series were made, with twenty half-hour episodes altogether in the entire series.-Overview:P. G...
and was first shown on 31 October 1978, with John Alderton
John Alderton
John Alderton is an English actor who is best known for his roles in Upstairs, Downstairs, Thomas & Sarah and Please Sir!. Alderton has often starred alongside his wife, Pauline Collins.-Early life:...
as Adrian Mulliner.
It was adapted for radio as part of the BBC's series Meet Mr Mulliner, being first broadcast on 13 May 2002.
Overview
Adrian Mulliner, a private detective, falls in love with Lady Millicent Shipton-Bellinger, the daughter of the fifth Earl of Brangbolton who has a horror of detectives ever since Millecent's Uncle Joe's troubles in 1928. The father insists that Millicent must marry Sir Jasper Addleton, the financier.Heartbroken, Adrian has a bad attack of dyspepsia (he suffers from the disease and it was the melancholic dyspeptic look that first attracted Millicent) and a doctor advises him that the best cure for dyspepsia is to smile. Adrian, who hasn't smiled since he was twelve ("I saw the butler trip on a spaniel and upset the melted butter all over Aunt Elizabeth"), has a smile that seems to say 'I know all' and causes a great deal of nervousness amongst people with something to hide.
A kleptomaniac Baronet helping himself to a fish slice
Fish slice (UK)
In British English, fish slice is a serving implement for fish, originally made of silver, now available in many other materials. Antique examples commonly appear at auction, and are extensively illustrated, for example in...
at a wedding is his first victim and Adrian finds himself invited to the Baronet's country home where he finds the Fifth Earl of Brangbolton in residence. After he solves the case of the missing soap (it had shot out of the Earl's hands while he was singing "Sonny Boy") he unleashes his smile on Sir Jasper Addleton who, guilty like all financiers, hands him a check for a hundred thousand pounds.
With this hundred thousand pounds in hand, and the unfortunate effect of the smile on the Earl just as the Earl was cheating at cards, Adrian gets the Earl's blessing to marry Millicent.