The Big Killing (1965 film)

The Big Killing is a 1965 Australian television film which aired on ABC. A murder drama aired in a 70-minute time-slot, it was produced in ABC's Sydney studios.[3] Producer was James Upshaw, whose previous works had included variety series The Lorrae Desmond Show.[4]

"The Big Killing"
Wednesday Theatre episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 16
Directed byJames Upshaw
Teleplay byPhilip Mackie
Original air date21 April 1965 (Sydney, Melbourne)[1]
Running time70 mins[2]

The drama was set in Sydney although it was based on an English play which had been set in London.[5]

It aired as part of Wednesday Theatre. Australian TV drama was relatively rare at the time.[6]

A search of their website shows that the National Archives of Australia hold a copy of this program, with running time listing as 1:14:31.

Plot

Peter Ashbury is a young man who lives on Palm Beach, Sydney, with an expensive wife Mary and house he cannot afford. Their neighbours and close friends are Liz and Charles Barcher. He makes a £25,000 bet to murder Liz, the wife of the wealthy Charles. When the wife dies, blame attaches to Peter and then to his wife Mary.

Cast
  • Roger Climpson as Peter Ashbury
  • June Thody as Mary Ashbury
  • Nigel Lovell as Charles Barcher
  • Benita Harvey as Liz Barcher
  • Ron Haddrick as an honest neighbour Gavin Cole
  • Stewart Ginn as Inspector Fowler
  • Betty Dyson as Norah
  • Tommy Dysart as Sgt Basset

Production

The play marked a return to acting by Roger Climpson after an eight-year absence, during which time he had established himself as a newsreader.[7][8]

Reception

The Canberra Times called the script "two steps backward" and said that "unfortunately the producer James Upshaw who is capable of better, much better things, seemed to have taken his cue from the script rather than the high-powered talent he wastefully cast".[9]

The Sydney Morning Herald said it "made good television viewing."[10]

Another critic for the same paper said it was "like a burst of fireworks... brilliantly acted... must surely rate as THE play so far this year" adding writer Mackie "threw in more angles and red herrings than a Perry Mason episode" and "managed to keep the plot going at a rattling pace until its last moments."[11]

See also
  • List of live television plays broadcast on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1950s)

References
  1. "TV Guide". The Age. 15 April 1965. p. 24.
  2. "WEDNESDAY". The Canberra Times. 39 (11, 133). 19 April 1965. p. 15. Retrieved 20 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131768020
  4. "Wednesday theatre". The Canberra Times. 20 April 1965. p. 13. Retrieved 25 July 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Cilla black to head". Sydney Morning Herald. 2 May 1965. p. 98.
  6. Vagg, Stephen (18 February 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". Filmink.
  7. "Newsreader Now Actor". Sydney Morning Herald. 12 April 1965. p. 12.
  8. "Role in TV Play". Sydney Morning Herald. 18 April 1965. p. 61.
  9. "Dead before it started". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 23 April 1965. p. 15. Retrieved 4 February 2020 – via Trove.
  10. "The Big Killing". Sydney Morning Herald. 22 April 1965. p. 11.
  11. "Thriller Socred". Sydney Morning Herald. 25 April 1965. p. 75.


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