Funnel Web

Funnel Web is a 1962 Australian TV play starring Grant Taylor and written by Phillip Grenville Mann. It screened on the ABC and was a suspense drama.[5]

Funnel Web
Based onplay by Philip Grenville Mann
Written byPhilip Grenville Mann
Directed byBill Bain
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerJohn Garton
Running time60 mins[1]
Production companyABC
DistributorABC
Release
Original networkABC
Original release25 April 1962 (Sydney, live)[2]
30 May 1962 (Melbourne, taped)[3]
30 October 1962 (Brisbane)[4]

Plot

A Canadian woman, Nina, is searching for her husband, Max Godfrey, who deserted her years ago. She finds him living in Sydney. Max has also defrauded his business partner. He decides to take steps to get rid of both his ex-wife and former business partner.

Cast

1956 British TV Version

It was based on a story by Phillip Grenville Mann. He originally wrote it as a 30-minute TV play for British TV called "Dead or Alive". This aired in 1956 as part of the anthology series Theatre Royal, hosted by Lili Palmer. The episode starred Australian actor Ron Randell and was directed by Don Chaffey, who would later work in Australia.[6] Other actors included Ralph Michael, Patricia Driscoll, Lloyd Lamble and John Miller.

Mann expanded the story into a full length stage play, which was performed in Britain.

Development

Mann adapted the story for Australian TV.[3] According to Filmink "A lot of TV plays around this time sound as though they were inspired by Dial M for Murder, which started as a TV play, i.e. tales of murder among the monied classes." [7]

It was the last in a series of live TV plays by Australian authors on the ABC which had been announced in March 1962.[3][8] The others were:

Production

It was Grant Taylor's second TV performance following Jenny and was shot in Sydney.[10] The set, including two office interiors and a beach house at Avalon, was designed by Francesca Crespi. Technical supervisor John Garton was a veteran of many ABC plays and operas. Director Bill Bain said "the play is an excellent vehicle for actors and producer, being slick, tight and dynamic."[4]

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald praised "the meticulously chic settings designed by Francesca Crespi (a beach house at Avalon and a Sydney office interior) and the easy-limbed, masterful portrayal of the villain by Grant Taylor".[11]

See also
  • List of television plays broadcast on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1960s)

References
  1. "TV Guide". The Age. 24 May 1962. p. 33.
  2. "TV Guide". Sydney Morning Herald. 25 April 1962. p. 15.
  3. "Viewers to See Drama in Its Third Form". The Age. 24 May 1962. p. 13.
  4. "A Venomous Spider". TV Times. 25 October 1962. p. 23.
  5. "TV Guide". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 April 1962. p. 15.
  6. Dead or Alive 1956 TV show at IMDb
  7. Vagg, Stephen (February 18, 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". Filmink.
  8. "Young Star's Work". Sydney Morning Herald. 12 March 1962. p. 13.
  9. "Drama Go Ahead with Six Australians with Ideas". The Age. 1 March 1962. p. 12.
  10. "Live Drama On Wednesday". The Canberra Times. 11 February 1963. p. 20. Retrieved 15 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "Thriller Play on Channel 2". Sydney Morning Herald. 26 April 1962. p. 7. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
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