With Cain Go Wander is a 1953 Australian original radio play by Edmund Barclay.[1]

With Cain Go Wander
Genredrama play
Running time60 mins (8:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Country of originAustralia
Language(s)English
Home station2FC
SyndicatesABC
StarringRod Taylor
Written byEdmund Barclay
Directed byEric John
Recording studioSydney
Original releaseJuly 18, 1953 (1953-07-18)

Rod Taylor starred in the original production, recording in Sydney under the dircection of Eric John.[2]

It was recorded again with a new cast in Melbourne in February 1954 under the direction of John Cairns.[3]

Reception

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The Age praised the effects saying the production "was notable for its hooting cars, its roaring trains, its hastily applied brakes and screeching tyres. Among all these wonderful noises the maundering murderer did not seem to matter much."[4]

The Brisbane Telegraph said "I wouldn't have believed a seasoned writer like Edmund Baclay could conceive anything so unconvincing, so utterly corny, nor John Cairns rise to such heights of bad production as displayed last night in the A.B.C.'s With Cain Go Wander."[5]

ABC Weekly said "it lacked conviction because we were not adequately prepared for the murder that took place."[6]

Premise

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Mark Lacey is an English ornithologist whose work took him away on frequent trips photographing birds, leaving his wife Carol at home alone. Carol starts an affair with Spencer Jessold. This results in murder.[7]

Cast of 1953 production

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  • Rod Taylor as Mark Lacey
  • Sheila Sewell as Carol Lacey
  • Queenie Ashton as First Gossip, Miss Hallam, Old Lady
  • Alma Butterfield as Second Gossip
  • Alfred Bristowe as Josh Seabright
  • Rupert Chance as Jeff
  • Roger Climpson as Harry
  • David Eadie as Geordie
  • David Butler as Passenger
  • James Mills as Inspector
  • Denys Burrows as Angry Voice, Porter, Second Voice,
  • Lionel Stevens as First Constable, Third Voice, Truck Driver
  • Ron Whelan as Sam, Second Constable
  • George Simpson-Lyttle as Third Constable. First Voice,
  • Tony Arpino as Guard

Cast of 1954 production

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  • Madeleine Hearle as First Gossip
  • Agnes Dobson as Second Gossip
  • Williams Lloyd as Mark Lacey
  • Marcia Hart as Carol
  • Kenrick Hudson as Josh Seabright
  • Syd Hollister as Sam
  • Ruby May as Old Lady
  • Clifford Cowley as Harry
  • Reginald Wykehnm as Jeff
  • Stewart Ginn as Geordie
  • George Randall as Inspector Bailey
  • Syd Conabere as Passenger

References

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  1. ^ "Radio Plays for Next Week A. B. C.", ABC Weekly, 15 (28), Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Commission, 11 July 1953, retrieved 21 September 2023 – via Trove
  2. ^ Rod Taylor radio credits at Rod Taylor Site
  3. ^ ABC Weekly, vol. 16, Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Commission, 6 February 1954, nla.obj-1548342981, retrieved 21 September 2023 – via Trove
  4. ^ "The Week in Wireless". The Age. No. 30, 823. Victoria, Australia. 13 February 1954. p. 18. Retrieved 21 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Scramble After Superlatives". Brisbane Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 9 February 1954. p. 8 (City Final). Retrieved 21 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Theatre Made in Australia", ABC Weekly, 15 (32), Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Commission, 8 August 1953, nla.obj-1549658728, retrieved 21 September 2023 – via Trove
  7. ^ "Saturday Play". South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus. Vol. LIII, no. 54. New South Wales, Australia. 13 July 1953. p. 2 (South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus Feature Section). Retrieved 21 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
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