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

Opal of Destiny
Newcastle Herald 2 Sept 1952
Genredrama serial
Running time15 mins (9:00 pm – 9:15 pm)
Country of originAustralia
Language(s)English
Home station2UW
StarringHarp McGuire
Written byAnthony Scott Veitch
Directed byTom Farley
Recording studioSydney
Original releaseSeptember 1 (1952-09-01) –
December 31, 1952 (1952-12-31)
No. of series1
No. of episodes52
ABC Weekly 6 Sept 1952

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 edit

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

Cast edit

  • 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 edit

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 edit

  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. ^ "Womens' [sic] 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. New South Wales, Australia. 22 October 1952. p. 17. Retrieved 19 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia.