''The Music Upstairs'' is a 1962 Australian television play. It was written by Australian playwright Michael Noonan when he was living in England. It starred Felicity Young who was married to

George Thoms George Ronald Thoms (22 March 1927 – 29 August 2003) was an Australian cricketer who played in one Test match in 1952. He played 18 first-class matches for Victoria, one in 1946, and then more regularly from 1951–52 to 1953–54. Born i ...

Plot

Three doctors, Joe, Ruth and Tom, have just graduated are driving through London when they run over a pedestrian. The doctors panic and decide not to stop. Joe wants to confess, but Tom is indifferent and Ruth loves Tom. The pedestrian later dies and a person who witnessed the accident starts to blackmail them.

Cast

* Felicity Young as Ruth *

Edward Brayshaw Edward John Brayshaw (18 October 1933 – 28 December 1990) was an Australian actor who worked in Australia and England. Australian career He was a Melbourne-based actor in the 1950s and 1960s and often appeared on television and stage. He lef ...

as Tom * Jeffrey Hodgson as Joe *

Ken Goodlet Kenneth Edwin Goodlet (11 October 1921- 15 November 2006) was an Australian actor with extensive credits in film, radio, TV and theatre, known for Ned Kelly (1970), Bluey (1976) and The Long Arm (1970). Select Credits *''One Morning Near Trood ...

Production

William Sterling said "the play s hard hitting with lots of emphasis on suspense... jazzy beat music provides background."

Reception

The ''Bulletin'' TV critic, Frank Roberts, referred to a recent request in parliament by

Bill Hayden William George Hayden (born 23 January 1933) is an Australian politician who served as the 21st governor-general of Australia from 1989 to 1996. He was Leader of the Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from 1977 to 1983, and served as ...

to ensure legislative protection for Australian actors and writers. Roberts said "The lot engaged in ''The Music Upstairs'' deserve it, somewhere south of Macquarie Island, pulling sleds. I stood it for 30 minutes, creating some kind of endurance record, and then switched to ''The Untouchables''." This review prompted a letter of criticism from

Ted Willis Edward Henry Willis, Baron Willis (13 January 1914 – 22 December 1992) was an English playwright, novelist and screenwriter who was also politically active in support of the Labour Party. In 1941 he became the General Secretary of the Young Co ...

References

External links

*
''The Music Upstairs''
at

AustLit AustLit: The Australian Literature Resource (also known as AustLit: Australian Literature Gateway; and AustLit: The Resource for Australian Literature), usually referred to simply as AustLit, is an internet-based, non-profit collaboration betwee ...

Complete script
at

National Archives of Australia The National Archives of Australia (NAA), formerly known as the Commonwealth Archives Office and Australian Archives, is an Australian Government agency that serves as the national archives of the nation. It collects, preserves and encourages ...

1962 films Australian television films Australian television plays Films directed by William Sterling (director) Works by Michael Noonan {{Australia-tv-film-stub