A Local Boy

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A Local Boy
Written byAlun Owen[1]
Directed byHenri Safran
StarringJohn Meillon
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time60 mins[2]
Original release
NetworkABC
Release21 October 1964 (1964-10-21) (Sydney)[3]
Release4 November 1964 (1964-11-04)[4][5]
Release10 November 1965 (1965-11-10) (Brisbane)[6]

A Local Boy is a 1964 Australian TV play produced in ABC's Gore Hill Studios in Sydney.[7] Australian TV drama was relatively rare at the time.[8]

The play featured, reportedly, the first near-nude scene on Australian television.[6]

In Wales, a barrister, David Owen, attempts to become a member of Parliament. He comes up against the older member, Evan Lloyd.

  • John Meillon as David Owen[9]
  • June Thody as Prue Owen
  • John Grey as Albert, the barman
  • John Huson as Gerran Jones, a political agent
  • Tom Farley as Evan Lloyd
  • Ethel Lang as Mrs. Williams.

Production

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It was Meillon's first television play since he returned from England after five years to appear in Rattle of a Simple Man.[10] He went on to appear in The Recruiting Officer for the ABC soon afterwards.[11] Thoday was an Adelaide actor who had returned to Australia after five years in England.[6]

The near-nude scene came when the character of Prue Owen tried to entice her husband back into bed. The camera focused on her bare back for a few seconds. "The scene is not designed for sensationalism," said director Henri Safran. "It wasn't put in there to shock the public. It is a very delicate scene and was handled tastefully. The play called for the scene and it was handled tastefully."[6]

"The scene was very well handled," said Thody. "There was nothing unpleasant about it."[6]

Reception

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The Australian Woman's Weekly said they were "pleasantly surprised" by the quality.[12]

The Canberra Times said, "It was such a surprise this week to see a locally produced play that was worthy of the talents of the cast that I cannot remember when it last happened."[13]

The Sydney Morning Herald said it was made with "outstandingly high polish."[14]

See also

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References

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