| Series: | Playhouse 90 |
| Season: | 4 |
| Episode: | 5 |
| Director: | Ron Winston |
| Teleplay: | Sumner Locke Elliott |
| Producer: | Fred Coe |
| Length: | 90 mins |
| Prev: | The Hidden Image |
| Next: | The Tunnel |
"The Grey Nurse Said Nothing" is a television play written by Sumner Locke Elliott. It was based on elements of the Shark Arm case but is mostly fictitious. The play was screened in the US in 1959[1] as an episode of Playhouse 90. It was performed on American and Australian television.[2]
A shark is captured and throws up an identifiable human arm, with a tattoo. It is presumed the arm belongs to a boatman. A local tycoon is arrested for murder.
Witnesses at the trial include the tycoon's alcoholic wife, whom the boatman tried to seduce, and a local school teacher in love with the boatman.
The play was set in Australia, a location that was uncommon on American TV at the time.[2]
The show had a cast of 120. Sumner Locke Elliot provided the sounds of a Kookaburra because none were available; he imitated one in the studio.[3]
The Los Angeles Times called it a "suspenseful telecast" in which the cast "gave universally good performances."[4]
The Chicago Daily Tribune called it "thoroughly enjoyable".[5]