Australian TV Plays: The Big Deal (29 Nov 1961)

A "little man" drama. Based on a Canadian play by M. Charles Cohen.

Premise

Herbie, a despatch worker at a plastics factory, dreams of being a millionaire, but he lacks the killer instinct. His friend Julian dreams of creating novelties from plastic.

He decides to propose to the girl, Lilian. (Full synopsis in TV Times piece).

Cast

Donald Crosby as Herbie Schiff
Marie Renshaw as Lillian
Edward Howell as Solly Parness
Ken Goodlet as Julian Ring
Morton Smith as Al Konits
Diana Bell as Ginger
Brenda Beddison as Claire
Keith Hudon as Ralph
Roland Renshaw as Arnold Strober
Campbell Copelin as Mr Ludmer
Carole Potter as Frances
Nancy Cato as Receptioniste
James Lynch as restaurant proprietor

Original play

The play was by someone called M Charles Cohen. He is profiled in a Canadian magazine here.

It was adapted for Canadian TV in 1961. It was repeated in 1962. It played in 1966.

Other productions

In Feb 1961 it was reported it had been sold to Granada TV.

The play had been broadcast in London and New York. It played on American TV in 1963 a review is here.

Production

This was the play's first production in Australia. Brenda Beddison and Morton Smith made their debuts in "live" drama.

In May 1961 Cohen said he sold the play to Australia for 300 pounds.

Eight studio sets were constructed by Kevin Bartlett.

William Sterling directed in Melbourne.

Reception

The critic from the Sydney Morning Herald thought the play was "neither comical, subtle, ironic, nor in fact even,remotely entertaining" having "no plot worthy of the name, and its theme, tenuous to say the least, gained nothing from the hourlong treatment" with "dialogue of unrelieved stodginess, produced without imagination, dramatic sense or photographic skill."

The TV Times called it "interestingly and touchingly human" though the critic felt the happy ending was wrong.