The Monkey Cage
The Monkey Cage is a 1966 Australian television play written by Ruth Fenner, with Storry Walton as a consulting producer. It was shot in Brisbane and aired as part of Australian Playhouse and aired 20 June 1966.[2] Australian TV drama was relatively rare at the time.[3]
"The Monkey Cage" | |
---|---|
Australian Playhouse episode | |
Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 10 |
Directed by | Wilf Buckler |
Teleplay by | Ruth Funner |
Original air date | 20 June 1966 (Sydney)[1] |
Running time | 30 mins |
Plot
Joe is a city building caretaker with an ail-too attractive wife. In the course of trying to throw out one of her admirers (David Yorston) the two get trapped in the lift. When fire breaks out they sink their personal difference in frantic attempts to call for help. Eventually, the firemen (Stanley Smith) turns up, averts danger, but makes little effort to free the prisoners when he finds the wife alone in the apartment.
Cast
- John Gray as Joe
- Stanley Smith
- David Yorston
- Peter Hitcner
Reception
The Sydney Morning Herald called it "a slight but entertaining piece admirably suited to its medium... The situation is treated with humour, the dialogue contains some good lines and the players and producer... all combine to give a lighthearted half-hour's amusement."[4]
The Age said "it had one attractive feature, the acting of John Gray, who deserved a better vehicle."[5]
References
- "TV Guide". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 June 1966. p. 13.
- "MONDAY". The Canberra Times. 40 (11, 499). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 20 June 1966. p. 23. Retrieved 25 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- Vagg, Stephen (18 February 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". Filmink.
- "Theatre". Sydney Morning Herald. 21 June 1966. p. 11.
- Monitor (25 June 1966). "Guessing Game Syndrome". The Age. p. 23.