AustLit

'Brad Dexter, after twenty years in Hollywood, returns to Australia to make a film. Much to his disgust - and Monica's delight - Bluey is assigned to protect him.

'It soon becomes apparent that Dexter needs protection. Not from his fans, who've grown sparser with the years, but from himself. A long time battle with the bottle has turned into capitulation. The few friends and associates who have remained loyal to him are beginning to realise their star is on the wane.

'But Dexter continues on his erratic path of self-destruction, oblivious to every warning signal.'

Source: Synopsis held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection (RMIT).

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'BRAD McGRAW: An Australian actor around 45 with boyish good looks. He's spent the past twenty years in the U.S. Speaks with an American accent. He's been all the way to the top and is more than halfway in the other direction now. He refuses to accept he's no longer a super-star. Deadens the truth with bourbon. (He drives.)

'NORA: McGraw's long-suffering private secretary. She's good-looking and shapely enough to have been a star herself but has been able to get a good living in the administration end of the business. She knows McGraw's just about washed up but hopes he can make a fresh start in his old home town. West coast U.S. accent.

'BELINDA DEMPSEY: Around 30. Pushy female journo from "The Star". About on a par scruple-wise with McGraw.

'BULL MASON: An ex-prize fighter around 50 and still fit. He's devoted to McGraw in the belief that McGraw still cares about him. He speaks with an East coast U.S. accent, The Bronx or Bowery maybe, certainly not Brooklyn.

'BERT STUBBS: Reporter. Australian. About 45. Small, shabby dresser. One scene. (Important dialogue.)

'ARTHUR FERRIS: Homicide detective well known to Bluey and his crew. Typical type. (Quite a bit of dialogue. As previously cast in "End of the Line" - if possible.)

'NEIGHBOUR: Working-class man around 60. He remembers McGraw well, without sympathy.

'POLICE MECHANIC: Two scenes. (Some dialogue.)

'TURNER: Late 50's. Average small businessman type. He shows he's worn badly since his daughter's death.

'BETTS: Middle-aged working man. Two scenes, some dialogue.

'BELLHOP:

'AIR HOSTESS: V.O. Only.

'ANNOUNCER: American. V.O. Only.

'GIRL (HEATHER): Australian. V.O. Only.'