Eye of the Night
| Company type | Television drama |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Founder | Kay Keavney (writer), Christopher Muir (director) |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Television plays |
| Parent | Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |
Eye of the Night is a 1960 Australian television drama penned by Kay Keavney and helmed by director Christopher Muir. The production was transmitted live from Melbourne on ABC on 24 February 1960. Concurrently, ABC Sydney presented a live airing of The Turning Point. These broadcasts were part of a collection of ten plays produced by ABC throughout 1960, spotlighting Australian writers and including works such as The Astronauts and The Slaughter of St. Teresa's Day, among others.
Plot
For two years, a man has been instilling fear by breaking into women's homes under the cover of night, successfully eluding law enforcement. In the Melbourne suburb called Sunshine, Ruth Arnott begins to suspect that a man residing in her household—who lives under the domination of his mother—might be the perpetrator. The narrative is set against backdrops including Victorian Police Headquarters and a residence in Sunshine.
Cast
- Beverley Dunn portraying Ruth Arnott
- Brian James as Frank Arnott, her accountant brother-in-law
- Dennis Miller in the role of Ian Arnott, her husband
- Nevil Thurgood
- Syd Conabere as a detective
- Moira Carleton playing the neighbouring resident
- Agnes Dobson
Production
During 1960, ABC embarked on an "Australiana drive" aimed at fostering homegrown narratives rather than relying on foreign scripts. This particular play was adapted from an original screenplay by Kay Keavney, a veteran writer with experience in radio and television series such as The Story of Peter Gray.
Director Christopher Muir enhanced the play’s realism by consulting with law enforcement officials and psychologists to gain insights into criminal investigation methods. According to The Age, Beverly Dunn’s character demanded several emotionally intense scenes.
External links
- Eye of the Night at AustLit (subscription required)