A Dead Secret Explained

A Dead Secret is a 1957 play by Rodney Ackland. It is a murder drama set in 1911 London and is based on the Seddon murder trial.

Plot

Insurance agent Frederick Dyson owns a house in London with his wife. Among the lodgers is a misery elderly woman, Miss Lummus, who hoards her money in the house. When she is murdered, Dyson is charged with the crime.

1959 British television version

A version aired 3 March 1959 as part of British television series ITV Play of the Week. The adaptation was by John McKeller. This version is believed to be lost.[1]

1959 Australian television version

Director:William Sterling
Released: (Melbourne, live)[2] [3]
Released2: (Sydney, taped)
Runtime:75 mins
Country:Australia
Language:English

A television version aired 21 May 1959 on Australian broadcaster ABC. This version aired live in Melbourne,[4] and was kinescoped for interstate broadcasts. It is not known if the kinescope still exists.

It was made when Australian drama was very rare.[5] It starred Bryce Archer who was in the film Smiley Gets a Gun.[6]

Cast

Reception

The TV critic for the Sydney Morning Herald thought that the "potential dramatic richness" of the play "was not fully exploited" because the director "had little time—or space—to create the atmosphere which can come much more easily to a stage director". However he did think the production "was, without any startling virtues, nevertheless a satisfactory piece of domestic entertainment.[7]

1963 Australia radio version

A radio version aired 15 December 1963 on Melbourne Australia radio station LO.[8]

1963 Australian television version

Director:Alan Burke
Starring:Ron Haddrick
Country:Australia
Language:English
Runtime:60 mins
Released: (Sydney)
Released2: (Melbourne)[9]

An Australian television version aired 1963 on ABC.[10] [11]

Cast

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lost UK TV Shows Search Engine . 2 October 2014 . 6 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006084408/http://www.lostshows.com/default.aspx?episode=9c1d877e-c071-4d73-821d-8e74a55c9fa0 . dead .
  2. News: The Age. 14 June 1959. Thursday. 12.
  3. News: The Age. Advertisement. 21 March 1959. 22.
  4. News: The Age. Television guide. 15 May 1959. 1.
  5. Stephen. Vagg. 60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s. Filmink. February 18, 2019.
  6. News: Murder Case As Plot. Sydney Morning Herald. 22 June 1959. 13.
  7. News: A Dead Secret On ABN -2. . 25 June 1959 . 6.
  8. Web site: The Age - Google News Archive Search. News.google.com. 29 May 2022.
  9. News: TV Guide. The Age. 18 July 1963.
  10. News: Sydney Morning Herald. 29 April 1963. 13. Thriller screened live.
  11. News: The Age. Paul Scofield starred in first performance. 18 July 1963. 25.