James Pratt

1940s was ABC Talks Officer

Was working as ABC assistant federal play editor in Nov 1962.

July 1965 - acting director of drama and features see here.

In July 1965 Assistant (acting?) Director of Drama James Pratt wrote a memo stating “in view of the doubtful success of our hour (plus) productions” he “would like to move the emphasis more toward thirty minutes indigenous plays.” Pratt suggested longer plays be done no more than one a month and be either especially written for TV or adapted from the classics as “the transfer of stage plays to the TV medium has not provided successful.” The remaining twelve long plays would be substituted by 26 half hour plays, which would enable a regular scheduling of our put, more chance for directors to gain experience, more opportunities for local writers who “are more likely to be successful in short works”. Pratt said there were already ten suitable scripts prepared and suggested the show could begin in April 1966 under the title Australian Playhouse.

May 1969 Federal drama editor see here Bulletin article.