The Emperor Jones (1960 TV play)
The Emperor Jones is a 1960 Australian TV play based on the play The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'Neill. It starred Joe Jenkins, a dancer who was living in Australia. He played a triple role.[3]
| The Emperor Jones | |
|---|---|
 Advertisement from 6 July 1960 | |
| Based on | The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'Neill |
| Written by | Alan Burke |
| Directed by | Alan Burke |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes[1] |
| Production company(s) | ABC |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABN-2 (Sydney) |
| Original release | June 15, 1960 (Sydney, live) 6 July 1960 (Melbourne)[2] |
Jenkins had also appeared in The Square Ring, Cafe Continental, The BP Super Show, The Two Headed Eagle and The End Begins on Australian TV. He was a rare black actor who played lead roles in Australia at the time. [4]
Plot
Jones runs an empire in the West Indies, but is tormented by the memory of people he killed.
Cast
- Joe Jenkins as the Emperor Jones/the witchdoctor/porter
- Moray Powell as Smithers
- Nellie Small
- Albert le Guerre
Reception
The Sydney Morning Herald said "loyalty to stage play conventions, in a medium where they do not belong, restrained the director from seeking the filmic fluency asked for in the quick succession of sketched scenes" in which Jenkins gave a "fine performance."[5]
References
- "TV Guide". Sydney Morning Herald. June 13, 1960.
- "Advertisement". The Age. 6 July 1960. p. 3.
- "Negro in "Live" Drama". Sydney Morning Herald. June 13, 1961. p. 30.
- Vagg, Stephen (May 25, 2020). "The A to Z of Non-White Aussie Movies and TV in White Australia". Filmink.
- "Emperor Jones on Television". Sydney Morning Herald. 16 June 1960. p. 7.