The Decision (Australian Playhouse)

"The Decision" is the 23rd television play episode of the first season of the Australian anthology television series Australian Playhouse. "The Decision" was written by John Warwick and directed by Oscar Whitbread and originally aired on ABC on 19 September 1966.

"The Decision"
Australian Playhouse episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 23
Directed byOscar Whitbread
Teleplay byJohn Warwick
Original air date19 September 1966 (1966-09-19)
Running time30 mins
Episode chronology
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List of episodes

Plot

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When public opinion collides with private beliefs in a small town, the result is a tragedy of in tolerance that destroys. A woman is seriously injured in a car accident and requires a blood transfusion, but she refuses on religious grounds. She passes out and the doctor pleads with her husband to give permission. He refuses and the woman dies. The husband is blamed for the wife's death and is shunned by the neighbours.[1]

Cast

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  • Terry McDermott as the husband Ben Peters
  • Patsy King as the wife Sally Peters
  • Jon Ewing as Dr Dawkins
  • George Mallaby
  • Rosalind Seagrave as Nurse Andrews
  • Roly Baree as a shopkeeper friend Perry
  • Moira Carleton as the disapproving neighbour Mrs Jennings

Reception

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The Age called it "an excellent illustration of careful and sustained characterisation... a rare combination of good acting, good writing and good direction."[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "MONDAY". The Canberra Times. Vol. 41, no. 11, 486. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 19 September 1966. p. 16. Retrieved 25 February 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ Monitor (1 October 1966). "ABC Playhouse has a winner". The Age. p. 23.
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