Cross of Gold (Wednesday Theatre)

"Cross of Gold" is a 1965 Australian television film which aired on ABC. It is based on the 1833 novel Eugénie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac. It was produced in ABC's Melbourne studios. It aired in a 75-minute time-slot. Per a search of their website, the National Archives may hold a copy, with running time listed as 1:14:33.

Plot
Eugenei Grandet, daughter of a miserly financier, lends her cousin Charles 8,000 francs in gold which her father has given her as gifts over the years. Charles is to return to marry her but when he does he is a social climbing snob who has married another woman. Eugenie has the gold turned into a cross made of gold.

Cast

 * Allen Bickford as Charles Grandet
 * Fay Kelton as Eugenie
 * Raymond Westwell as Pete Grandet
 * Christine Calcutt
 * Penelope Shelton
 * Kevin Colebrook as Cruchot
 * Dennis Clinton
 * Kenric Hudson

Differences from the novel
In the novel, Eugenie spent her fortune on charity. In this version she became a miser.

Reception
The Age called it "a complete success - a uniform, high quality cast, a first class play and imaginative, competent directing."

Radio adaptation
A radio adaptation of the film was made for ABC. The script was again written by Lane.