Ned Kelly (television play)
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| Ned Kelly | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Based on | Play by Douglas Stewart |
| Written by | Douglas Stewart |
| Directed by | William Sterling |
| Music by | Robert Hughes |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | William Sterling |
| Cinematography | Les Handy |
| Running time | 75 minutes |
| Production company | ABC |
| Original release | |
| Network | GTV-9 |
| Release | 21 October 1959 |
Ned Kelly is a 1959 Australian television play adapted from the radio play of the same name.
It focused on two main events – the robbery at Jerilderie and the siege at the Glenrowan Hotel.[1]
It was different from a later TV play about Ned Kelly, Ballad for One Gun.[2]
Ned Kelly and his gang hold up the hotel at Jerilderie. They retreat to a hideout where they are visited by "The Roo". They realise they have been betrayed by Aaron Sherritt and arrange for him to be shot. They then take over the hotel at Glenrowan.
Cast
- Ken Goodlet as Ned Kelly
- John Godfrey as Steve Hart
- Alan Hopgood as Dan Kelly
- Syd Conabere as Joe Byrne
- Betty Phillips as "The Roo", Ned Kelly's girlfriend
- Betty Kauffman as Mrs Skerritt
- Roland Redshaw
Production
Stewart said one of the play's themes was "the conflict between the over-civilised man and the outlaw and the necessity for a balance between the two attitudes to life. Part of the spirit that was in the celebrated bushranger is still in the Australian character - the deep desire for freedom and impatience with authority."[3]
In July 1959 it was announced the production would be filmed at ABC's Melbourne studios at Ripponlea, with the scene of Kelly's capture shot on location at Glenrowan.[4]
In early August Sterling and a crew did an initial reconnaissance of the Glenrowan area.[5] A unit went out to Glenrowan in late August for three days of filming. A historic building outside the town, the building originally occupied by Constable Bracken, was dressed up to look like the Royal Hotel in Jerilderie. There was also filming at the Strathbogie Ranges and Beaconsfield. William Sterling said this footage could not be duplicated anywhere else in Victoria.[6][7] Cameraman Les Hendy used an 18-foot hydraulic crane to film at Beaconsfield.[8][9] Scenes were also shot at Guy's Hill.[10]
Robert Hughes wrote the music score, which also included bush songs from the Kelly years.[5] Les Hendy was cameraman, Harold Fletcher did props, Brian Faull was location manager and Audrey Rogers script assistant.[11]
Release
Ned Kelly aired on 21 October 1959 in Melbourne on GTV-9 and on 26 January 1960 in Sydney.
