Uncle Phil on TV by J. B. Priestley. Short summary

5 seconds

After Uncle Phil died, his in-laws got insurance and decided to buy a television set. As Mom and Una watched the movie, they noticed a man in it who resembled Uncle Phil

1 minute

For Uncle Phil, Mom’s dead brother, the Griggsons get the insurance money. In the evening, at a family meeting, they decide who gets the money. Mother urges them not to forget that it belonged to the deceased.

Uncle Phil had a weak heart. His doctor warned his parents that medicine to stop his attacks should always be on hand. One Tuesday morning, the box was moved to the mantelpiece, and the patient was unable to get it out of there during the attack. Relatives could not remember which of them had moved the medicine.

Although the incident was accidental, everyone gathered was glad or relieved that Uncle Phil was gone. The deceased did not like the relatives and they reciprocated. Since the parents do not know what to do with the money they received, George offers to buy with it something they will all enjoy — a television set. Two days later, the television set was already in the living room. As Mom and Una watched the movie, they noticed a man who looked like Uncle Phil in it.