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Broadcast on ABC Television between 1966 and 1967, the Australian Playhouse program comprised two series of plays by Australian writers who were new to TV. Among the featured productions were works by Tony Morphett, Pat Flower, and John Warwick.
The series began in 1966 with 'The Pigeon', which aired in April, and ran weekly until early November, when it ended with 'The Paradise Shanty'.
Australian Playhouse began again in 1967 with 'Touch of Gold', which aired in July, and ran until October, when it ended with 'The Five Sided Triangle, or One too Many'.
Notes
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Although Australian Playhouse aired weekly, no episodes have currently been traced for 6 June 1966 or 4 July 1966. The episodes traced so far have been numbered with the assumption that episodes did air on these dates.
Similarly, contemporary newspaper guides suggest that episode eight ('What About Next Year?') aired two weeks in succession, rather than a new episode airing on the week of 6 June 1966, and the numbering below reflects this.
The 1967 series was significantly briefer than the 1966 one, only running from July to October.
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Rehearsal scripts for Colin Free's The End Product clearly indicate that it was intended for this series, but no information has yet been traced on when (or if) it aired in this series.
Includes
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1.01form y The Pigeon Australia : ABC Television , 1966 Z1360989 1966 single work film/TV
— Appears in: Close-Up : Scripts from Australian Television's Second Decade 1971; (p. 78-104)Billy Sloane's school principal describes him as sloppy, shoddy, unpunctual, and uncooperative, but also infuriatingly truthful. Things aren't going to well for Billy, though. It's exam time at school and his mother is dying in hospital. His father has taken in a lady 'friend' to look after him and the police are looking for his brother Jack in connection with a string of armed robberies. The only bright light in Billy's life is a sick pigeon he has found and is caring for. At least it's something he can write passionately about in his English exam. But then he's pulled out of class to be grilled about his brother by a detective. Billy's honesty is about to be put to the test.
Australia : ABC Television , 1966 -
1.02form y The Tape Recorder Z860165 1966 single work film/TV
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1.03form y The Air-conditioned Author Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7105505 1966 single work film/TV
'This play concerns a young author who becomes disillusioned with his work when his ambitious publisher orders him to turn out stereotyped novels purely for the sake of money.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 2 May 1966, p.23.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.04form y The Prowler Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7105595 1966 single work film/TV
'Tired of hearing about Elsie's late husband Fred decided to resurrect him when a prowler is rumoured to be roaming the district.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 9 May 1966, p.19.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.05form y No Dogs on Diamond Street Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7105671 1966 single work film/TV crime
'[T]his play tells how an attractive girl suspects that her father is involved in theft and murder.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 16 May 1966, p.23.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.06form y Wall to Wall Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7105886 1966 single work film/TV
'The play, written by Adelaide playwright, Anne Kinloch and produced by Eric Taylor concerns a sensitive and intelligent girl, Elizabeth Fletcher, denied the necessities of a woman's life, love and understanding . . . Elizabeth is resigned to her fate as a spinster, but goes through the motions of "attracting a man." One evening, a lad who had taken pity on her, the perpetual wall flower — brings her home from a local dance, obviously hoping to escape at the front door . . . Her father, however, refusing to "just let him go" invites him in and proceeds to extol her virtues as a housekeeper.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 23 May 1966, p.19.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.07form y What About Next Year? Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106090 1966 single work film/TV
'Searching for a missing friend Fred Taylor uncovers an uncanny situation and goes one step beyond violence to the brink of insanity.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 30 May 1966, p.19.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.08form y Antarctic Four Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106205 1966 single work film/TV
'A group of men, trapped in an Antarctic hut, fight a nightmare of fantasy and insanity.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 13 June 1966, p.15.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.09form y The Monkey Cage Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106261 1966 single work film/TV A married man on his way to an assignation with a married woman gets stuck in a lift with the woman's husband. Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966
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1.10form y Anonymous Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106308 1966 single work film/TV
'In a moment of tragic irony, a harassed and henpecked businessman faces death alone.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 27 June 1966, p.19.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.12form y Should the Woman Pay Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106348 1966 single work film/TV
'Finding his wife's lover comfortably installed in his home, a husband uses an unexpected measure to meet the situation. And his answer suggests a new breed of men.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 11 July 1966, p.14.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.13form y Marleen Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106381 1966 single work film/TV
'Marleen vies for the coveted award of Miss Marching Girl, but a richer and more sinister prize is her ultimate goal.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 18 July 1966, p.16.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.14form y The Final Factor Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106417 1966 single work film/TV
'Many lives are at stake while giants of the engineering world struggle for supremacy.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 25 July 1966, p.14.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.15form y Done Away With Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106451 1966 single work film/TV crime
'Eager to acquire his wife's wealth, a man decides on murder, and soon finds that this art is — simultaneously — not as easy as, and far simpler, than he had imagined.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 1 August 1966, p.16.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.16form y Blind Balance Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106484 1966 single work film/TV
'The Blind Balance of Justice weighs out the lives and destinies of two young people, whose meeting has brought about personal tragedy.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 8 August 1966, p.16.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.17form y Haywire Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106543 1966 single work film/TV
'A big sister's attempts to handle a difficult male model—her younger sister's conquest—leads to a terrifying situation in the apparent safety of her own home.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 15 August 1966, p.14.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.18form y Watch It Sydney : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106630 1966 single work film/TV
'When watchmaker meets a man with a very special wistwatch it sets his partner on the road to a spell in the cells.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 22 August 1966, p.14.
Sydney : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.19form y Ticket to Nowhere Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7109010 1966 single work film/TV
'A man finds himself with an unusual fellow-passenger on a long train journey.'
Source:
[Teleivison guide], The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 August 1966, p.8.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.20form y The Voice Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106690 1966 single work film/TV
Nothing is known of the cast or storyline of this instalment of Australian Playhouse.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.21form y The Empty Day Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7105401 1966 single work film/TV
'16 year old Jennifer, alone in her aunt's apartment, discovers that a comedy of errors can lead to a moment of terror.'
Source
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 12 September 1966, p.16.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.22form y The Decision Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106721 1966 single work film/TV
'When public opinion collides with private beliefs in a small town, the result is a tragedy of intolerance that destroys.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 19 September 1966, p.16.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.23form y The Lace Counter Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106764 1966 single work film/TV
Nothing is currently known of the cast or storyline of this instalment of Australian Playhouse.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.24form y Objector Australia : ABC Television , 1966 Z1569695 1966 single work film/TV
'When a young man fears conscription, it brings him into direct conflict with his father, threatening a relationship that was treasured by both.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 3 October 1966, p.14.
Australia : ABC Television , 1966 -
1.25form y V.I.P.P. Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106898 1966 single work film/TV
'A very important Political Personage faces a crisis of State with a hard line of glib-tongued, high sounding, deep-probing string of political cliches.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 10 October 1066, p.16.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.26form y Across the Bridge Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7106971 1966 single work film/TV
'A man and woman meet through the arrangement of mutual friends - and their few hours together open doorways to an understanding both deep and tenuous.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 17 October 1966, p.17.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.27form y Easy Terms Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7107007 1966 single work film/TV
Nothing is currently known of the cast or storyline of this instalment of Australian Playhouse.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.28form y The Small Wonder Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7107116 1966 single work film/TV
Nothing is currently known of the plot of this instalment of Australian Playhouse.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
1.29form y The Paradise Shanty Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 7107035 1966 single work film/TV
Nothing is currently known of the cast or storyline of this production.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 -
2.01form y A Touch of Gold Melbourne : ABC Television , 1967 Z1866929 1967 single work film/TV
Centres on the stifling effect of small town life on Edith, the central character.
'Edith's life is tarnished by the unknown past of the man she loves, but only he can save her from the suffocation of small-town Australia in the 1890s.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Age 8 June 1967, p.7.
Melbourne : ABC Television , 1967 -
2.02form y Slow Poison Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7107734 1967 single work film/TV
'Tim Douglas, a mischief maker, causes trouble for his friends, but is also trapped in the web of his own making.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 31 July 1967, p.15.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 -
2.03form y Casualty Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7107823 1967 single work film/TV A young man and an old man wait in what appears to be a hospital waiting room, but is revealed as an antechamber to Heaven, watched over by an angel in the guise of a nurse. Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967
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2.04form y Keep It Clean Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7108062 1967 single work film/TV
'There is trouble on the 7th floor of a large city business house, but a dedicated band of office cleaners mean to put it right.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 14 August 1967, p.15.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 -
2.05form y The Attack Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7108291 1967 single work film/TV
'In a civil war the loyalties of Yvette are put to the test - and she is forced to decide between the man she loves and her country.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 21 August 1967, p.17.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 -
2.06form y Enough to Make a Pair of Sailor's Trousers Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7108327 1967 single work film/TV
'A shy and lonely country girl discovers hope in the city when a sailor shows her the way to the 'patch of blue'.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 28 August 1967, p.19.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 -
2.07form y The Brass Guitar Melbourne : ABC Television , 1967 Z851665 1967 single work film/TV
A contemporary television guide offers the following synopsis:
Toby Cambell [sic], the darling of the teenagers, loves both wife and brass guitar, but the idol of success demands that one be sacrificed.'
Source
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 4 September 1967, p.17.
Melbourne : ABC Television , 1967 -
2.08form y John Forrester Awaits the Light Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7108408 1967 single work film/TV
According to a review in The Age,
The title part of played by Peter Whitford as an ambitious young businessman juggling for power. He believes that he must test his potential with women, but Vera [the secretary] doesn't respond to his overtures.
Source:
[Review], The Age, 3 August 1967, p.13.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 -
2.09form y The Heat's On Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7108488 1967 single work film/TV
'The jet-set niece of the quixotic Mr Paisley involves him in a tilt with vice at a notorious keep-fit club.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 18 September 1967, p.17.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 -
2.10form y On the Hop Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7108518 1967 single work film/TV
'Red Ruby, Queen of Wooloomooloo, retired after 15 years in the 'business' when she receives an unusual inheritance - but inheritances are not always what they seem ...'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 25 September 1967, p.21.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 -
2.11form y All Fall Down Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7108554 1967 single work film/TV
'A TV variety compere discovers a new gimmick to prop up his sagging show. He notices the pleasantries often exchanged by strangers.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Age, 22 August 1967, p.12.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 -
2.12form y Breakdown Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7108597 1967 single work film/TV
'The social machine breaks down — first in a late-night suburban train and second in an ancient lift. In both cases the man is faced with impenetrable and frightening problems.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 9 October 1967, p.17.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 -
2.13form y The Five Sided Triangle, or One Too Many Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 7108675 1967 single work film/TV
'Mr Caradoc finds that the eternal triangle contains problems of unexpected dimensions.'
Source:
[Television guide], The Canberra Times, 16 October 1967, p.17.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 -
form
y
The House
Australia
:
Australian Broadcasting Commission
,
1966
22799481
1966
single work
film/TV
An elderly woman who refuses to leave her house even though it has been bought by developers is visited by a young woman who claims to be fleeing her abusive husband.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 - form y The Nice Widow at Quinto Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 22799576 1966 single work film/TV Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966
- form y The Tank Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966 22799666 1966 single work film/TV Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1966
-
form
y
A Stay at Home
Australia
:
Australian Broadcasting Commission
,
1967
22796415
1967
single work
film/TV
A middle-aged man refuses to leave his home, despite his friend's attempts to convince him.
Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 - form y Caught Napping Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967 23487484 1967 single work film/TV Married couple Doris and Ted live with Doris's bedridden mother; Doris wants Ted to kill her mother for the inheritance, not realising that Ted and her mother are also conspiring. Australia : Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1967
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form
y
The End Product : A Tale of Future Time
Sydney
:
ABC Television
,
1967
Z851410
1967
single work
film/TV
science fiction
In an austerely imagined twenty-first century, a man tries to die following proper procedures.
Sydney : ABC Television , 1967
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Forgotten Australian TV Plays : The Pigeon and Wall to Wall
2021
single work
essay
— Appears in: FilmInk , 29 December 2021; -
Forgotten Australian Television Plays : Three from Australian Playhouse
2021
single work
essay
— Appears in: FilmInk , 31 December 2021; -
Playhouse Returns
1967
single work
column
— Appears in: The Age , 8 June 1967; (p. 8)
-
Playhouse Returns
1967
single work
column
— Appears in: The Age , 8 June 1967; (p. 8) -
Forgotten Australian Television Plays : Three from Australian Playhouse
2021
single work
essay
— Appears in: FilmInk , 31 December 2021; -
Forgotten Australian TV Plays : The Pigeon and Wall to Wall
2021
single work
essay
— Appears in: FilmInk , 29 December 2021;