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The Mask of Marius Melville

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The Mask of Marius Melville
Genredrama serial
Country of originAustralia
Language(s)English
Written byMorris West
Recording studioMelbourne
Original release1946

The Mask of Marius Melville is a 1946 Australian radio serial by Morris West.[1]

Details

[edit]

This series, along with The Affairs of Harlequin, were among the most successful West ever wrote.[2]

The Melbourne Advocate said the show "is packed with incident; some of the stock devices of thrillers are used, but they are handled with a freshness that prevents them from seeming too familiar. The writing is remarkably good; to one not accustomed to good and careful writing in radio scripts, particularly serials, this is a pleasant surprise. The impression gained from it is that considerable time and thought went to its writing; it has paid dividends, for actors with something worth saying will do a far better job than those entrusted with the same old cliches."[3]

The Argus said it would "test the credulity of a seven-year-old who was beginning to doubt the authenticity of Father Christmas. Of all the fantastic nonsense ever radioed, Marius Melville takes the bun. This sinister figure looming up every Sunday night gives us none of the fearful emotions expected, but just a feeling of complete boredom."[4]

The series was repeated again in 1956.[5]

Premise

[edit]

A journalist investigates the person behind a black market in food.[6]

Cast

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  • Walter Pym
  • Patricia Kennedy[7]
  • John Morgan
  • Gordon Gow
  • Laon Maybanke
  • Robert Peach
  • Clive Walters
  • Douglas Kelly
  • Peter O’Shaughnessy

On the Danube

[edit]

The serial led to a sequel, On the Danube, which appeared in 1948 and featured many of the same cast.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "TODAY'S INFORMATION GUIDE". The Herald. No. 21, 713. Victoria, Australia. 21 December 1946. p. 21. Retrieved 13 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "MUST ALL RADIO TOUGHS BE FOREIGNERS?". The Sun. No. 13984. New South Wales, Australia. 7 December 1954. p. 33 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved 13 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Fine New Catholic Hour Feature". Advocate. Vol. LXXX, no. 4771. Victoria, Australia. 8 January 1947. p. 26. Retrieved 13 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "RADIO REVIEWS: Little To Applaud". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 31, 327. Victoria, Australia. 25 January 1947. p. 16. Retrieved 13 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Thursday June 28 Commercial", ABC Weekly, 18 (25), Sydney, 23 June 1956, retrieved 13 December 2023 – via Trove
  6. ^ "2CH WOMEN'S LEAGUE XMAS PARTY", ABC Weekly, 9 (50), Sydney, 13 December 1947, retrieved 13 December 2023 – via Trove
  7. ^ "Your radio". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. IX, no. 3. New South Wales, Australia. 30 November 1947. p. 30. Retrieved 13 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "new South Wales", ABC Weekly, 10 (10), Sydney, 6 March 1948, nla.obj-1549955689, retrieved 13 December 2023 – via Trove
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