A Local Boy
| A Local Boy | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Alun Owen[1] |
| Directed by | Henri Safran |
| Starring | John Meillon |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 mins[2] |
| Original release | |
| Release | 21 October 1964 (Sydney)[3] 4 November 1964 (Melbourne)[4][5] 10 November 1965 (Brisbane)[6] |
A Local Boy is a 1964 Australian TV play produced in ABC's Gore Hill Studios in Sydney.[7] Australian TV drama was relatively rare at the time.[8]
The play featured, reportedly, the first near-nude scene on Australian television.[6]
Plot[edit]
In Wales, a barrister, David Owen, attempts to become a member of Parliament. He comes up against the older member, Evan Lloyd.
Cast[edit]
- John Meillon as David Owen[9]
- June Thody as Prue Owen
- John Grey as Albert, the barman
- John Huson as Gerran Jones, a political agent
- Tom Farley as Evan Lloyd
- Ethel Lang as Mrs. Williams.
Production[edit]
It was Meillon's first television play since he returned from England after five years to appear in Rattle of a Simple Man.[10] He went on to appear in The Recruiting Officer for the ABC soon afterwards.[11] Thoday was an Adelaide actor who had returned to Australia after five years in England.[6]
The near-nude scene came when the character of Prue Owen tried to entice her husband back into bed. The camera focused on her bare back for a few seconds. "The scene is not designed for sensationalism," said director Henri Safran. "It wasn't put in there to shock the public. It is a very delicate scene and was handled tastefully. The play called for the scene and it was handled tastefully."[6]
"The scene was very well handled," said Thody. "There was nothing unpleasant about it."[6]
Reception[edit]
The Australian Woman's Weekly said they were "pleasantly surprised" by the quality.[12]
The Canberra Times said, "It was such a surprise this week to see a locally produced play that was worthy of the talents of the cast that I cannot remember when it last happened."[13]
The Sydney Morning Herald said it was made with "outstandingly high polish."[14]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Pre-selection battle on radio". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 31 July 1964. p. 9. Retrieved 23 January 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia". TV Guide. 19 October 1964. p. 15.
- ^ "John Meillon to star". Sydney Morning Herald. 12 October 1964. p. 13.
- ^ "On the Way Up". The Age. 29 October 1964. p. 31.
- ^ "TV Guide". The Age. 29 October 1964. p. 26.
- ^ a b c d e "Near Nude Scene in ABC Play". TV Times. 3 November 1965. p. 3.
- ^ "MONDAY". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 19 October 1964. p. 18. Retrieved 23 January 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (18 February 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". Filmink.
- ^ "THE HAMMARSKJOLD DIARY First English translation". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 21 October 1964. p. 23. Retrieved 23 January 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "Dramas political setting". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 21 October 1964. p. 23. Retrieved 23 January 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "Convicts acted comedy in 1789". The Australian Women's Weekly. Australia. 23 December 1964. p. 18. Retrieved 23 January 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "EMDEN DRAMA RE-ENACTED". The Australian Women's Weekly. Australia. 4 November 1964. p. 15. Retrieved 23 January 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "Local Boy makes good television". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 23 October 1964. p. 15. Retrieved 23 January 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "'A Local Boy' on ABN 2". 22 October 1964. p. 9.
External links[edit]
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