The Grey Nurse Said Nothing
5th episode of the 4th season of Playhouse 90
| "The Grey Nurse Said Nothing" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Playhouse 90 episode | |||
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 5 | ||
| Directed by | Ron Winston | ||
| Teleplay by | Sumner Locke Elliott | ||
| Produced by | Fred Coe | ||
| Original air date | 26 November 1959 (1959-11-26) | ||
| Running time | 90 mins | ||
| Episode chronology | |||
| |||
"The Grey Nurse Said Nothing" is a television play written by Sumner Locke Elliott. It was based on elements of the Shark Arm case but is mostly fictitious. The play was screened in the US in 1959[1] as an episode of Playhouse 90. It was performed on American and Australian television.[2]
Plot
A shark is captured and throws up an identifiable human arm, with a tattoo. It is presumed the arm belongs to a boatman. A local tycoon is arrested for murder.
Witnesses at the trial include the tycoon's alcoholic wife, whom the boatman tried to seduce, and a local school teacher in love with the boatman.
Cast
- Ann Todd as Laura Mills
- Angela Lansbury as Hazel Wills
- Paul Comi as Patrick Aherne
- Gary Crutcher as Lynch mob leader
- Patricia Cutts as Mavis Greenop
- Michael David as Herbert Wills
- Don Dubbins as Bluey
- Hugh Griffith as Rev. Light
- Tony Haig as Boy
Production
The play was set in Australia, a location that was uncommon on American TV at the time.[2]
The show had a cast of 120. Sumner Locke Elliot provided the sounds of a Kookaburra because none were available; he imitated one in the studio.[3]
Reception
The Los Angeles Times called it a "suspenseful telecast" in which the cast "gave universally good performances."[4]
The Chicago Daily Tribune called it "thoroughly enjoyable".[5]
References
- ^ Television Preview The Washington Post and Times-Herald ]26 Nov 1959: D23.
- ^ a b Vagg, Stephen (17 November 2020). "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: The Grey Nurse Said Nothing". Filmink.
- ^ "A TV drama recalls the Shark Arm Murder". TV Times. 9 June 1960. pp. 8–9.
- ^ Shanley, John P. (27 November 1959). "TV Review: Murder Trial Is Basis for Suspenseful Show". New York Times. p. 59.
- ^ Staccato Format Is Still Bad Anderson, Robert. Chicago Daily Tribune 1 Dec 1959: b10.
External links
- "The Grey Nurse Said Nothing" at IMDb
- v
- t
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Works of Sumner Locke Elliott
- Careful, He Might Hear You (1963)
- Some Doves and Pythons (1966)
- Edens Lost (1969)
- The Cow Jumped Over the Moon (1937)
- Interval (1939)
- The Little Sheep Run Fast (1940)
- Goodbye to the Music (1942)
- Your Obedient Servant (1943)
- The Invisible Circus (1946)
- Wicked Is the Vine (1948)
- Rusty Bugles (1948)
- Buy Me Blue Ribbons (1951)
- John Murray Anderson's Almanac (1953)
- Of Human Bondage (1949)
- Wicked Is the Vine (1949)
- The Crater (1949)
- We Were Children (1952)
- Friday the 13th (1954)
- The King and Mrs. Candle (1955)
- Daisy, Daisy (1955)
- The Grey Nurse Said Nothing (1959) (US)
- The Grey Nurse Said Nothing (1960) (Aust)
- Rusty Bugles (1965)
- Water Under the Bridge (1980)
- Rusty Bugles (1981)
- Careful, He Might Hear You (1983)
- Edens Lost (1989 TV mini series)
- Crazy Family (1939)
- Tradesman's Entrance (1941)
- Jezebel's Daughter (1941)
- Grand City (1942)
- Girl of the Ballet (1942)
- The Man in the Dark (1944)
- The Army Hour (1944)
- Lily Parker (1947)
- Scarlet Rhapsody (1947)
- Wicked Is the Vine (1947)
- Ride a Cock Horse (1948)
- The Crater (1948)
- We Were Children (1954)
- Friday the 13th (1955)
