The Public Prosecutor
The Public Prosecutor is a 1958 television play broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It was set during the French Revolution and was based on a play by Fritz Hochwälder. It was shown live in Melbourne in July 1958 but did not screen in Sydney until 1960.[3]
| The Public Prosecutor | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | William Sterling |
| Written by | William Sterling |
| Based on | play by Fritz Hochwälder. |
Production company | ABC |
Release date | 23 July 1958 (Melbourne, live)[1] 6 January 1960 (Sydney)[2] |
Running time | 75 mins |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Plot
The Public Prosecutor is responsible for rounding up victims of the guillotine. He wants the name of a man known only to Theresia. Meanwhile the French Assembly of Deputies debate the end of terror. The identity of the final victim is a surprise.
Cast
- Frank Gatliff as Fouquier, the Prosecutor
- John Morgan as Tallien, Theresia's husband
- Patricia Kennedy as Theresia
Production
The play had been performed by the BBC in 1957.[4]
It was shot at ABC's new studios at Rippon Lea. It was Patricia Kennedy's second TV performance following playing Mrs Rattenbury in Killer in Close Up.[5] The play took eight weeks to prepare and involved construction of an eight foot guillotine.[1]
Designer John Peters had also designed sets depicting revolutionary France in the film The Elusive Pimpernel.[6]
Reception
GTV-9 engineers called up after the broadcast to congratulate ABV-2 on the technical excellence of the program.[7]
See also
- List of live television plays broadcast on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1950s)
References
- "Drama of Revolution to Test Techniques". The Age. 18 July 1958. p. 26.
- "TV Guide". Sydney Morning Herald. 6 January 1960. p. 16.
- "Channel News". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 January 1960. p. 21.
- 1957 BBC Version at IMDb
- ""Live" TV Drama". The Age. 18 July 1958. p. 25.
- "Round Up". The Age. 18 July 1958. p. 27.
- "Round up". The Age. 1 August 1958. p. 23.