A Time to Speak

A Time to Speak is a 1965 Australian television film, which aired on ABC. It is a period drama set around 1900. It was written by Noel Robinson.[3]

"A Time to Speak"
Wednesday Theatre episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 14
Directed byPatrick Barton
Teleplay byNoel Robinson
Original air date7 April 1965
Running time60 mins[1] or 75 mins[2]

Australian TV drama was relatively rare at the time.[4]

Premise

In the year 1900, a doctor stands up to the corrupt leader of a religious community.[5]

Cast
  • Raymond Westwell as the Elder
  • Wyn Roberts as the doctor
  • Keith Eden as Chad Jensen
  • Joan MacArthur as the leader's wife, Sister Esther
  • Patsy King as Annie, the doctor's wife
  • George Whaley as John
  • Michael Howley as Matthew
  • Martin Magee as Benjamin
  • Edward Howell as Man

Production

It was filmed in Melbourne with location footage at Monstalvat near Eltham.[6][7] Raymond Westwell and Joan MacArthur were married in real life.[8]

Reception

The Australian Woman's Weekly TV critic called it "a meaty play", and said she "particularly liked the understated ending".[9]

The Canberra Times said it was "a good play, well suited to television, and simply loaded with righteousness enough for all those people who found the honest, healthy lust of The Swagmanwas not their . . , cup of tea."[7]

The TV critic for The Sydney Morning Herald said the play was "an uncommonly arresting drama about the conflict of personalities" in which the director "used the austere and sombre setting of a farm community lo good effect. Some of the scenes were rather abrupt, as was the ending, but generally tension was maintained well."[10]

References
  1. "WEDNESDAY". The Canberra Times. 39 (11, 122). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 5 April 1965. p. 18. Retrieved 20 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. "TV Guide". Sydney Morning Herald. 5 April 1965. p. 18.
  3. "TEN's first night". The Canberra Times. 39 (11, 126). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 9 April 1965. p. 21. Retrieved 19 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. Vagg, Stephen (18 February 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". Filmink.
  5. "TV Guide". The Age. 1 April 1965. p. 27.
  6. "What to stay home for..." The Canberra Times. 39 (11, 122). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 5 April 1965. p. 17. Retrieved 22 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "TEN's first night". The Canberra Times. 39 (11, 126). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 9 April 1965. p. 21. Retrieved 22 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Video Tape in the Service of Drama". 1 April 1965. p. 10.
  9. "The tragic comedian". The Australian Women's Weekly. Australia, Australia. 21 April 1965. p. 19. Retrieved 21 April 2020 – via Trove.
  10. ""A Time to Speak"". Sydney Morning Herald. 8 April 1965. p. 12.


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