Hedda Gabler (1961 film)

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Hedda Gabler
Genredrama
Based onplay Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen
Written by Richard Lane
Directed by William Sterling [1]
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time90 mins
Production company ABC
Original release
NetworkABC
Release11 January 1961 (1961-01-11) (Melbourne) [2]
Release5 April 1961 (1961-04-05) (Sydney) [3]
Release13 November 1961 (1961-11-13) (Brisbane) [4]

Hedda Gabler is a 1961 Australian television play based on the 1891 play by Henrik Ibsen. It was made at a time when Australian TV drama was rare. [5]

Contents

Plot

Hedda Gabler pursues the destruction of a former lover.

Cast

Production

Brunell's casting was announced in November 1960. [6] Wendy Pomroy recorded the music. [7] [8]

Reception

The Age said the production "had excellent sets and dressing, fine technical presentation and the assistance of a strong cast", but felt Brunell "interpreted Hedda in too 'genteel' a fashion." [9]

The critic for the Sydney Morning Herald wrote that the play suffered from "adequate rather than generous acting" except for June Brunell in the lead, who was praised. [10] The Age TV critic felt Brunell was "too genteel" in the lead but thought the production had "excellent sets and dressing". [11]

Richard Lane, who did the adaptation, said that Edward Howell as "chilling" as Brack, "it was a character that suited him perfectly." [12]

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References

  1. "June Brunell as Hedda Gabler". The Age. 5 January 1961. p. 1.
  2. "TV Guide for 11 January". The Age. 5 January 1961. p. 11.
  3. "TV Guide". 3 April 1961. p. 18.
  4. "The tragedy of frozen passion". TV Times. 9 November 1961. p. 9.
  5. Vagg, Stephen (18 February 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". Filmink.
  6. "Brunel Cast as Hedda Gabler". The Age. 24 November 1960. p. 18.
  7. "Boredom Suicide". Sydney Morning Herald. 3 April 1961. p. 17.
  8. "June Brunell as Hedda Gabler". The Age. 5 January 1961. p. 19.
  9. Janus (19 January 1961). "'Gabler' Bought to Life on TV". The Age TV supplement. p. 3.
  10. "Hedda Gabler on TV". Sydney Morning Herald. 6 April 1961. p. 6.
  11. ""Gabbler" Bought to Life on TV". The Age. 19 January 1961. p. 3 supp.
  12. Lane, Richard. The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama 1923-60. Melbourne University Press. p. 57.