The Teeth of the Wind

The Teeth of the Wind is a 1962 television play broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It was written by John Cameron who had written Outpost (1959) which had screened on American television.[3]

The Teeth of the Wind
Produced byChristopher Muir
Written byJohn Cameron
Production
company
Australian Broadcasting Commission
Release date
2 May 1962 (Melbourne)[1] 15 May 1962 (Sydney)[2]
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

It was shot in Melbourne and set in Africa and concerns local politics.[4]

Plot

In a new African republic, a United Nations force holds the elected President and Vice President in protective custody under the responsibility of an Australian officer Frank Andrews, who is leading a United Nations Command.

The officer romances Dr Pearson, makes friends with some people experienced with Africa (Kurt Ludescher and Mary Ward), and meets President Ngimba (Keith Eden). Peter Vender is a mining tycoon opposed to local independence.

Ngimba's allies come to release him and Frank Andrews considers ordering his troops to open fire. He decides to lay down his arms and the locals take charge. The weapons are used to kill some women.[5]

Cast
  • Alan Hopgood as Frank Andrews
  • Roly Barlee
  • Keith Eden as President Ngimba
  • Joan Harris as Doctor Pearson
  • Kurt Ludescher as Peter Vender
  • Mary Ward

Production

It was one of a series of six Australian plays produced by the ABC in 1962.[6] The others were:

The play was John Cameron's follow up to his successful Outpost. It was based on the experience of Dr Ivan Smith, an Australian who worked as Chief United Nations representative during the Congo Crisis in November 1961. He had been attacked by mobs and had to be rescued.[1]

Cameron said, "the play attempts to explore the problem in human terms rather than the stark black and white of an ideological or racial clash. It examines the tragedy of people caught up in this conflict, each conscious of his own rights, each resentful of the claimed conflicting rights of others."[1]

Reception

The Bulletin gave the play a harsh review saying "the net result was neither drama nor documentary. It was Blue Hills moved to Africa, but with a less accurate presentation of the pros and cons than Gwen Meredith provides in her more intense moments."[5]

References
  1. "Cameron's New Play Recalls Australian's Congo Escape". The Age. 26 April 1962. p. 13.
  2. "TV Guide". Sydney Morning Herald. 15 May 1962. p. 34.
  3. Vagg, Stephen (18 February 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". Filmink.
  4. "Young Star's Work". Sydney Morning Herald. 12 March 1962. p. 13.
  5. Roberts, Frank (26 May 1962). "TELEVISION OUR BOY IN AFRICA identifier". The Bulletin. p. 55.
  6. "Drama Go Ahead with Six Australians with Ideas". The Age. 1 March 1962. p. 12.


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