Bodgie (film)
| Industry | Television film |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1959 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Parent | Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
Bodgie is a television film from Australia that was broadcast on ABC in 1959. Its initial live airing took place on 12 August 1959 in Sydney via ABN-2, followed by a kinescope recording shown in Melbourne on ABV-2 on 2 September 1959.
Distinct from the majority of Australian live dramas at the time, which typically adapted foreign scripts, Bodgie originated from a British narrative by Australian writer Rex Rienits and was reworked for Australian television by Alan Seymour, who localized the setting.
The existence of the kinescope recording today remains uncertain.
Plot
Set in Kings Cross, the story centers on Kenny, a "bodgie" figure, who resides with his father, an ex-convict portrayed by Douglas Kelly. Kenny maintains a relationship with his girlfriend (Lola Brooks) and becomes entangled in blackmailing a political figure (Nigel Lovell). The plot escalates when an attempt to shield a woman (Thelma Scott) culminates in homicide.
Cast
- John Ewart as Kenny
- Don Crosby
- Lola Brooks
- Douglas Kelly as Kenny's father
- Nellie Lamport
- Nigel Lovell
- Thelma Scott
- Louis Wishart
Production
The narrative was originally penned by Rex Rienits and previously adapted into the British film Wide Boy in 1952. Rienits also developed the story into a radio drama and novel. For the Australian television adaptation, Alan Seymour undertook the script revision.
Ray Menmuir produced the program, having prior experience with ABC through Murder Story. The production combined live studio performances with pre-recorded outdoor scenes filmed on location in King's Cross, Darlinghurst, and North Sydney. To incorporate police officers as extras, Menmuir obtained official authorization.
Reception
A reviewer from the Sydney Morning Herald commended Rex Rienits' script for its professionalism and solid production quality. Although the storyline, addressing crime’s damaging effects and moral complexity, followed conventional themes, it prioritized entertainment over social critique. John Ewart’s interpretation of the "bodgie" presented a credible portrayal of a young man concealing insecurity behind a tough exterior, adding nuance despite limited character development. Ray Menmuir’s integration of filmed Sydney locales with studio sets contributed to realism, though some supporting performances lacked creativity.
Valda Marshall of the Sun Herald characterized the drama as "neat and imaginative," effectively revealing the darker aspects of King's Cross. She praised performances by Ewart, Kelly, and Brooks while acknowledging minor inconsistencies between filmed exteriors and live studio segments but ultimately regarded the production as commendable.
See also
- Autumn Affair
- Emergency
- Shell Presents
- The Passionate Pianist
- Blue Murder
- List of live television plays broadcast on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1950s)
References
External links
- 1959 television plays
- 1959 Australian television plays
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming
- Australian English-language television shows
- Black-and-white Australian television shows
- Australian live television shows
- Works by Rex Rienits
- Works by Alan Seymour
- Television plays directed by Raymond Menmuir
- Television plays filmed in Sydney
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation television plays