Killer in Close-Up

Killer in Close Up
Genre Anthology
Written by George F. Kerr
Directed by Christopher Muir
William Sterling
Country of origin Australia
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 4
Production
Running time 30 minutes
Production company(s) ABC
Release
Original network ABC
Picture format Black-and-white
Audio format Monaural
Original release 9 September 1957 – 13 August 1958

Killer in Close-Up was a blanket title covering four live television drama plays produced by the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1957 and 1958. It could be seen as the first anthology series produced for Australian television.

Production of the plays was split equally between the Melbourne and Sydney ABC stations, with the first and fourth being produced in Sydney, the second and third in Melbourne. Each ran for 25 minutes. The plays were produced by Christopher Muir and Will Sterling.

The drama plays were based on real-life cases, dramatised for television by George F. Kerr. They were, in order:

In Melbourne, the play aired against Chesebrough-Ponds Playhouse on HSV-7 (which consisted selections from US anthology series) and Douglas Fairbanks Theatre (aka Douglas Fairbanks Jr Presents, a British-American anthology production) on GTV-9, and was broadcast at 8:30PM.[5] In effect, viewers had a choice of three different half-hour self-contained dramas during that night.

"The Robert Wood Trial"

Plot

Based on the 1907 Camden Town Murder, where Robert Wood was tried for the murder of a prostitute and was acquitted.

Cast

  • Brian Anderson
  • Leonard Bullen

Production

The first play used nine sets and twelve actors. The Sydney Morning Herald said its goal was "to show new techniques in Australian TV production and acting."[6]

It was broadcast "live" from Sydney, recorded and shown in Melbourne on 4 October 1957.[1]

"The Wallace Case"

Plot

In 1931, William Herbert Wallace is accused of murdering his wife.

Cast

  • Laurier Lange (aka Laurie Lange) as William Wallace
  • Noel Howlett as the judge
  • Brian James as the prosecutor
  • Norman Griffiths as the defence counsel
  • John Morgan
  • Robert Stevens
  • Campbell Copelin

Production

The Wallace Case was directed by Christopher Muir in Melbourne. It was broadcast live on 20 November 1957. Muir used close ups extensively to build tension. George F. Kerr came down from Sydney to help with the production and acted asa narrator.[2]

"The Rattenbury Case"

This episode aired on 18 June 1958 and was directed by Will Sterling.

The episode The Rattenbury Case may be held by the National Archives of Australia (per a search of their website).

Plot

Francis Rattenbury, a famous architest, is murdered.

Cast

  • Patricia Kennedy as Mrs Rattenbury
  • Edward Brayshaw as Stoner
  • John Morgan
  • Neil Fitzpatrick
  • James Haggart
  • Bettine Kauffmann
  • Laurie Lange
  • Brian Moll
  • Wyn Roberts
  • Nevil Thurgood

Production

The show was shot live in Melbourne. It was the first TV performance from experienced actor Patricia Kennedy.[3]

"The Trial of Madeleine Smith"

Plot

In 1857 Glasgow, a girl is tried for the murder of her lover. From the first meeting between the lovers to the final verdict in Edinburgh Court.

Cast

  • Janette Craig as Madeleine Smith
  • Owen Weingott as Emile L'Angelier
  • Berys Marsh
  • Keith Jarvis
  • Gordon Glenwright
  • Keith Buckley
  • Mayne Lynton
  • Edward Smith
  • Royston Marcus

Production

The play was broadcast "live" from Sydney.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "TV Guide". The Age. 3 October 1957. p. 13.
  2. 1 2 ""Live" Drama written for TV medium". Sydney Morning Herald. 14 November 1957. p. 12.
  3. 1 2 "Exacting first TV role for Patricia Kennedy". The Age. 13 June 1959. p. 13.
  4. 1 2 "Play based on trial". Sydney Morning Herald. 11 August 1958. p. 11.
  5. ↑ "TV Guide". The Age. 14 November 1957. p. 17.
  6. ↑ "Television news". Sydney Morning Herald. 28 August 1957. p. 6.
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