The Scent of Fear explained

"The Scent of Fear" is television play written by Ted Willis. It was originally written for British anthology series Armchair Theatre, adapted from the story "Stowaway" by Mary Higgins Clark which was reportedly based on a real story that happened in 1949. It was filmed for Australian TV in 1960.[1]

Plot

A youth in an Iron Curtain country, to escape from police, hides in a plane that is to fly to the UK. An air hostess finds him and he begs her not to turn him in. She has to hide him from various policemen.

1959 British TV Version

Series:Armchair Theatre
Director:John Llewellyn Moxey
Teleplay:Ted Willis

The play was first produced by ABC Weekend TV for the British ITV network in 1959.

Cast

1960 Australian TV Version

Director:James Upshaw

The Australian version was directed by James Upshaw.[2] [3] Broadcast live on ABC's Sydney station, it was kinescoped ("telerecorded") for showing on other ABC stations.[4] [5]

It was one of several thrillers filmed in the early days of Australian television.[6]

Cast

Production

The show was filmed at ABC's Sydney studios with exteriors shot at Sydney's Kingsford Smith airport. Diana Perryman, who played an airhorstee, had been done.[7]

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald gave it a mixed review, but noted that "Max Meldrum made a superbly terrified fugitive" and "Owen Weingott was excellent as Sten, the disguised communist head of secret police".[8]

US Screening

The play was bought for screening in the US by CBS in 1961 along with another Australian play, Outpost.[9]

See also

References

  1. Filmink. Forgotten Australian TV Plays: The Scent of Fear. Stephen. Vagg. May 12, 2021.
  2. News: TV Guide. 3 November 1960. The Age. 21.
  3. News: Stowaway on Plan. 5 September 1960. 13. Sydney Morning Herald.
  4. Stephen. Vagg. 60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s. Filmink. February 18, 2019.
  5. News: The Age. Former Air Hostesses' Made for Drama Role. 3 November 1960. 17.
  6. Forgotten Australian TV Plays: Reflections in Dark Glasses. Filmink. Stephen. Vagg. March 20, 2021. August 2, 2024.
  7. News: 5 September 1960. 13. Stowaway on Plane.
  8. News: Sydney Morning Herald. 8 September 1960.
  9. News: ABC Dramas. The Age. 1 June 1961. 12.

External links