''The End Begins'' is a 1961 Australian television play shot in ABC's Melbourne studios. Like many early Australian TV plays it was based on an overseas script. It was a rare Australian TV play with a science fiction theme and a black lead actor, although no recordings are thought to have survived.

Plot

On an island off the west coast of Great Britain, a group of survivors of World War Three struggle to continue living. Hugh Packenham foresaw the oncoming conflict and fled to the island. His only neighbours are fisherman Shaun O'Donnell and his wife Barbara. Then other survivors seek refuge, including an African American sailor, and conflicts develop.

Cast

Don Crosby George Wallace Donald Crosby, Order of Australia, OAM (29 October 1924 – 3 December 1985) was an Australians, Australian actor of radio, stage, television and film, radio producer, stage manager, airman and trade unionist. Early life The fift ...

as Hugh Pakenham *

Joe Jenkins Joseph Daniel Jenkins (October 12, 1890 – June 21, 1974) was an American right-handed Major League Baseball catcher who played for the St. Louis Browns in 1914 and the Chicago White Sox in 1917 and 1919. Jenkins was born in Shelbyville, Tennes ...

as Hank Christians, an American serviceman *Douglas Kelly as Shaun O'Donnell *Barbara Brandon as Mrs O'Donnell *

Fay Kelton Fay Kelton (Born in Tasmania between 1940–41), is an Australian former actress radio, stage and television, she relocated to Melbourne in her teens. She was a regular performer on the ABC radio serial '' Blue Hills'' (1949-1976), and also a ...

as Valerie Hollis, a young English girl *Keith Hudson as Tom Jarrow, a bank clerk *

Syd Conabere Sydney Leicester Conabere (8 July 191815 July 2008) was an Australian actor. He was notable for his work in theatre, film and television drama in a career spanning more than fifty years. In 1962 Conabere won the Logie award for Best Actor, for ...

as Dr Wincot *Kenrick Hudson as Commander Ridgwell *James Lynch as Petty Officer Marks *David Mitchell as Seaman Wells *Edward Brayshaw as Smithers *Elizabeth Goodman as woman

Productions

It was based on a British TV play by Ray Rigby, who wrote it in collaboration with his wife Jean when working as a booking clerk at Victoria station. He submitted it to the BBC and they filmed it in 1956 in a production starring

Earl Cameron Earlston Jewitt Cameron, CBE (8 August 19173 July 2020), known as Earl Cameron, was a Bermudian actor who lived and worked in the United Kingdom. After appearing on London's West End stage, he became one of the first black stars in the Briti ...

. Rigby later became well known for writing ''The Hill''. His play was later adapted for Australian radio in 1964. The production was filmed in Melbourne. It was William Sterling's first production after returning to Australia following a trip overseas. Sterling said prior to broadcast:

This is perhaps the most controversial play the ABC has attempted on television. There are a number of dramatic developments that which are not comfortable, easy-way-out solutions of many of the moral and political problems of everyday life. The author's treatment is adult in every sense. This is the type of play television handles best. In fact, this is the first play in a long time that has made such a dramatic comment on contemporary affairs.

The set was created by Douglas Smith who did the designs for ''Stormy Petrel''. The cast included Joe Jenkins, a black American actor and dancer who came to Australia with the Katherine Dunham Dance Company and decided to stay. He was one of the few black actors to play a lead role in Australia at that time.

Reception

The ''Sydney Morning Herald'' said it "had the merit of exploratory camera work" and called it "quite imaginative".

References

External links

*
The End Begins
at

National Film and Sound Archive The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), known as ScreenSound Australia from 1999 to 2004, is Australia's audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, maintaining, promoting and providing access to a national co ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:End Begins 1960s Australian television plays Australian television films 1961 television plays Australian science fiction films Films directed by William Sterling (director)