Original air date 20 June 1960 Initial release 1960 | Running time 60 mins | |
Shadow of a Pale Horse was a TV play written by Bruce Stewart which was produced for British, US and Australian tv.
Contents
- Plot
- 1959 British TV Version
- 1960 British TV Version
- 1960 US TV Version
- 1961 Australian TV Version
- Cast
- Reception
- References
Bruce Stewart was a New Zealand playwright who moved to London to work as a writer and actor. Shadow of a Pale Horse won him a Silver Dagger Award of the Mystery Writers of America.
Plot
Set in the 19th century. In the New South Wales town of Cobar, a young man is found battered to death. A man called Jem is found next to him, drunk, and is accused of the crime. Jem is arrested but floods prevent him from being transported for trial. Condringer, an old German prospector, suggests the town hold its own trial. Rigger, the father of the murdered youth, is given the job of defending Jem. Kirk, the dead youth's employer, is given the job of prosecuting him.
1959 British TV Version
The play was first presented on English TV in 1959 starring Patrick McGoohan.
1960 British TV Version
It was filmed again for English TV in January 1960 starring Patrick Macnee.
1960 US TV Version
It screened on US TV as part of the US Steel Hour on CBS in June 20, 1960. Although adapted by Jack Palmer from Stewart's original script, the Australian setting was kept. The cast included Dan Duryea, Frank Lovejoy and Carroll O'Connor and the director was Jack Smight. The Washington Post called it a "stimulating, above average production". The New York Times called it "an unusual story, enhanced by a good production".
The US Steel Hour would later film another Stewart play The Devil Makes Sunday.
1961 Australian TV Version
The play was produced for Australian TV by Sydney station ATN-7, it was also shown in Melbourne on station GTV-9, as this was prior to the creation of the Seven Network and Nine Network (it is not known if it was also shown in Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth).
It was part of The General Motors Hour, a loosely scheduled occasional series which presented various types of one-off local productions.
Cast
Reception
The show won Best Drama at the 1961 Logie Awards.