The House of Mancello
| Industry | Television drama |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1962 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Television play |
The House of Mancello is a 1962 Australian television drama shot in Melbourne, focusing on an Italian immigrant family encountering difficulties within their dressmaking enterprise.
This drama was included among six Australian plays produced by the ABC in 1962, which also featured:
Plot
Facing hardships in their dress manufacturing business, the Mancello family invites Joe, a relative and dress designer from Italy, to revitalize the company by converting it into a fashion boutique. This proposal meets resistance from Mamma Mancello. Meanwhile, her daughter Lucia is somewhat more receptive but hesitant to embrace Joe's vision, as she prefers to sell the business to support her Australian partner.
Cast
- Moira Carleton as Mama Mancello
- Elizabeth Goodman as Lucia Mancello
- Mark Kelly as Joe
- Campbell Copelin
- Roly Barlee
- Joan Harris
- Diana Bell
- Carol Potter
- Margaret Browne
- Brenda Beddison
- Pat McLean
Production
Chris Gardner, who transitioned from being a housewife to a writer over ten years prior, authored the script. Her previous works include the 1961 play The Pub at Pelican Creek, along with short stories, radio dramas, and the television play Dark Under a Sun. The filming took place in Melbourne.
Reception
The Sydney Morning Herald critiqued the production for its limited camera work and basic lighting techniques but recognized its relevance in depicting migrant integration themes. The paper also found the dialogue and dramatic moments lacking strength. Meanwhile, The Age labeled it a "potboiler" with a thin storyline and commented that the frequent use of broken English became monotonous.
Radio
In 1963, this play was adapted for radio broadcast.