The Square Ring (1960 film)
1960 Australian television play
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The Square Ring is a 1960 Australian TV play based on a stage play by Australian Ralph Petersen which had been successful on the stage in England and been filmed in 1953.
| The Square Ring | |
|---|---|
 Ad in SMH 18 Apr 1960 | |
| Based on | play The Square Ring by Ralph Peterson |
| Directed by | Raymond Menmuir |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 90 mins |
| Production company | ABC |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | 20 April 1960 (Sydney, live)[1] |
| Release | 10 August 1960 (Melbourne)[2] |
It was recorded live in Sydney.[3]
Plot
The story of six fighters who wait for their turn in the ring one night at a boxing ring in England. Ex champ Docker Starkie is trying to make a comeback; Eddie Burke is a new boy on the way up; Harry Coombers is a certain future champion; Rick Martell is planning on throwing a fight; Sailor Johnson is a broken-down has-been; Rawlings likes to read books before a fight.
Mixing with them all is the dressing room attendant Danny Felton who has seen fighters come and go and understand them. There is also associated characters like a stadium manager.
Cast
- Don Barkham as Eddie Burke
- Guy Doleman as Harry Coombes[4]
- Jack Fegan as Docker Starkie
- Ken Goodlet as Sailor Johnson
- Joe Jenkins as Rowdie Rawling
- Owen Weingott as Rick Martell
- Edward Hepple as Danny Felton, the handler
- Al Thomas as the stadium manager
- Ben Gabriel as Joe
- Louis Wishart as stadium doctor
- Max Osbiston as Watty
- John Unicomb as Ford
Production
Sydney boxing trainer Ern McQuillan was the technical advisor for the story. Joe Jenkins, who appeared often on television as a dancer, makes his acting debut as Rowdie Rawlings.[1] He would later go on to appear in several Australian TV dramas such as The Emperor Jones, Two-Headed Eagle and The End Begins.[5][6]