Opal of Destiny
Formatdrama serial
Runtime15 mins
Start time9 pm
End time9.15 pm
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Home station2UW
StarringHarp McGuire
WriterAnthony Scott Veitch
DirectorTom Farley
Record locationSydney
First airedSeptember 1, 1952
Last airedDecember 31, 1952
Num series1
Num episodes52

Opal of Destiny is a 1952 Australian radio serial written by Anthony Scott Veitch and directed by Tom Farley.[1]

There were 52 episodes and the serial was recorded in advance of broadcast. It was made by the Columbia George Edwards Production Company, who had an exclusive deal with 2UW in Sydney.[2]

Premise

An ex-US naval pilot comes to Australia to start life anew and winds up in Lightning Ridge.[3]

Cast

  • Harp McGuire
  • Alan White
  • Paul McNaughton
  • David Eadie
  • Tom Farley
  • Rodney Taylor
  • Grant Taylor
  • Brian Wright
  • Alan Trevor
  • Marie Clark
  • Diana Davidson
  • Jean Robertson

Reception

The Daily Telegraph said "This gives a carelessly written, shoddily acted picture of an American in Paddo a poor pastiche, blotched with all the naughtiest hues of Harlem, and daubed with, some of the ruddier tints of Broadway's café-society. Let us have no more of these pallid imitations. New York and Chicago have had both gang warfare and a distinguished, if eccentric, elite. Sydney has had neither worth mentioning. If our authors wish to be nationally and authentic ally husky, let them start writing about; the Pushes."[4]

References

  1. ^ "Tommy Trinder Guest in Australia's Hour of Song", ABC Weekly. 14 (34), Australian Broadcasting Commission, 23 August 1952, retrieved 19 December 2023, – via Trove
  2. ^ "Interests on the Air To-day 'Drip Drama' Ration". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 35,801. 18 September 1952. p. 7 (Women's section). Retrieved 19 December 2023. – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "George Hart's Radio News". The Sun. No. 13281. 2 September 1952. p. 22 (Late Final Extra). Retrieved 19 December 2023. – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Around the Dial". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. XVII, no. 183. 22 October 1952. p. 17. Retrieved 19 December 2023. – via National Library of Australia.