Cross of Gold (Wednesday Theatre)
"Cross of Gold" is a 1965 Australian television film which aired on ABC. It is based on the 1833 novel Eugénie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac.[2][3] It was produced in ABC's Melbourne studios. It aired in a 75-minute time-slot. Per a search of their website, the National Archives may hold a copy, with running time listed as 1:14:33.[4]
| "Cross of Gold" | |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Theatre episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 41 |
| Directed by | Patrick Barton |
| Teleplay by | Richard Lane |
| Based on | Eugénie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac |
| Original air date | 27 October 1965 |
| Running time | 75 mins[1] |
Plot
Eugenei Grandet, daughter of a miserly financier, lends her cousin Charles 8,000 francs in gold which her father has given her as gifts over the years. Charles is to return to marry her but when he does he is a social climbing snob who has married another woman. Eugenie has the gold turned into a cross made of gold.[5]
Cast
- Allen Bickford as Charles Grandet
- Fay Kelton as Eugenie
- Raymond Westwell as Pete Grandet
- Christine Calcutt
- Penelope Shelton
- Kevin Colebrook as Cruchot
- Dennis Clinton
- Kenric Hudson
Differences from the novel
In the novel, Eugenie spent her fortune on charity. In this version she became a miser.[6]
Reception
The Age called it "a complete success - a uniform, high quality cast, a first class play and imaginative, competent directing."[7]
Radio adaptation
A radio adaptation of the film was made for ABC. The script was again written by Lane.[8]
References
- "WEDNESDAY". The Canberra Times. Vol. 40, no. 11, 295. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 25 October 1965. p. 18. Retrieved 20 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- "WHAT TO STAY HOME FOR... Documentaries to the fore this week". The Canberra Times. Vol. 40, no. 11, 295. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 25 October 1965. p. 17. Retrieved 19 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- "TV Guide". The Age. 21 October 1965. p. 19.
- Vagg, Stephen (19 February 2022). "Forgotten Australian television plays: Cross of Gold and Goodbye Gloria Hello". Filmink.
- "Balzac Bites". The Age. 21 October 1965. p. 29.
- Tennant, Kylie (29 October 1965). "Arms Trade Examined". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 11.
- Monitor (30 October 1965). "Television". The Age. p. 23.
- "Forgotten Australian television plays: Cross of Gold and Goodbye Gloria Hello | FilmInk". www.filmink.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.