Black Limelight (1959 film) explained

Director:William Sterling
Starring:Patricia Kennedy
Country:Australia
Language:English
Runtime:75 mins[1] or 90 mins[2]
Network:ABC
Released: (Melbourne)

Black Limelight is a 1959 Australian TV play. It was shot in ABC's Melbourne studios. It was made at a time when Australian drama production was rare.[3]

Premise

A married man, Peter, is suspected of murdering his mistress. His wife Mary fights to clear his name. She discovers his lawyer friend is the killer.

Cast

Production

A bathing scene was shot at Canadian Bay.[4] It also included scenes shot in North Balwyn.[5]

Patricia Kennedy had a five-minute monologue which was reportedly to be the longest speech up to that moment on Melbourne TV drama.[6]

Reception

The TV critic from The Sydney Morning Herald thought that "Patricia Kennedy's remarkable dramatic strength in the big leading role did much to minimise the gimmicky construction of thriller plot and some lack of incisive editing" and that "William Sterling's production was, in most places, worthy of the material."[7]

The critic from The Age said "there wasn't a great deal to enthuse about... Channel 2 can and will do more significant dramas."[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: TV Guide. 9 July 1959. 33. The Age.
  2. News: TV Guide. 20 July 1959. Sydney Morning Herald. 20.
  3. Stephen. Vagg. 60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s. Filmink. February 18, 2019.
  4. News: The Age. Beach Scene in Suspense Drama. July 9, 1959. 12.
  5. News: 18 June 1959. The Age. Melbourne Beach Scenes in Love TV drama. 25.
  6. News: The Age . 4 July 1959 . 9 . Jottings.
  7. News: Murder Drama From ABN. Sydney Morning Herald. 23 July 1959. 6.
  8. News: The Age. On Channel. 23 July 1959. 14. Janus.