Dark Brown (1963 film)

Dark Brown is a 1963 Australian TV play. It was based on a British play that had been filmed by the ABC in 1957.

Dark Brown
Genrethriller
Based onplay by Philip Johnson
Directed byBob Cubbage
Wilf Buckler
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time30 mins
Production companyABC
Release
Original networkABC
Original release4 December 1963 (Brisbane)[1]

It was the second live drama recorded at the ABC in Brisbane, after Vacancy in Vaughan Street. It was shot at the ABC's studios in Toowong.[2] Australian drama was very rare at the time, and mostly made in Sydney and Melbourne.[3]

Plot

In 1880, Jenny Brown worries about the trips her tobacconist husband Arthur is making to Eastborne to visit his ailing aunt. There are also a series of unsolved murders. The aunt, Mrs Persephelous, visits Jenny.

Cast
  • Barbara Wheelton as Jenny Brown
  • Ray Dunlop as Arthur Brown
  • Babette Stephens as Mrs Persephelous
  • Betty Ross as shop clerk Miss Tasker
  • Gwen Wheeler as Mrs Collins, Jenny's mother
  • Beverly Bates as cousin Bella
  • Glen Stirratt as Bella's finance Fred

Production

The sets were designed by Bernard Hides and Bill Collyer. They had to recreate the parlour at the back of Arthur's shop and decided to add the shop as well to give the set better dimensions and to open out the play from its stage origins. The tobacco used was made of peat moss.[2]

The production was taped at the ABC studios in Toowong and that recording was broadcast. During the broadcast and cast re-enacted the play in the studio; they did this without the costumes or sets used during the taping, but just to improve. "We are still inexperienced and we have to make every effort to improve," said Cubbage. Ray Menmuir, ABC director, was in Brisbane on December 3 and 4 to watch the taping and offer suggestions.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Second ABQ Drama on Tape". TV Times. 27 November 1963. p. 4.
  2. "Careful with the aspidistra". TV Times. 6 November 1963. p. 6.
  3. Vagg, Stephen (February 18, 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". Filmink.


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