Shadow of a Pale Horse
| "Shadow of a Pale Horse" | |
|---|---|
| US Steel Hour episode | |
| Original air date | 20 June 1960 |
| Running time | 60 mins |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| "Shadow of a Pale Horse" | |
|---|---|
| The General Motors Hour episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 5 |
| Directed by | David Cahill |
| Teleplay by | Bruce Stewart |
| Produced by | Brett Porter |
| Original air date | 1960 |
| Running time | 60 mins |
Shadow of a Pale Horse was a TV play written by Bruce Stewart which was produced for British, US and Australian tv.
Bruce Stewart was a New Zealand playwright who moved to London to work as a writer and actor. Shadow of a Pale Horse won him a Silver Dagger Award of the Mystery Writers of America.
Set in the 19th century. In the New South Wales town of Cobar, a young man is found battered to death. A man called Jem is found next to him, drunk, and is accused of the crime. Jem is arrested but floods prevent him from being transported for trial. Condringer, an old German prospector, suggests the town hold its own trial. Rigger, the father of the murdered youth, is given the job of defending Jem. Kirk, the dead youth's employer, is given the job of prosecuting him.
The play was first presented on English TV in 1959 starring Patrick McGoohan.
It was filmed again for English TV in January 1960 starring Patrick Macnee.
It screened on US TV as part of the US Steel Hour on CBS in June 20, 1960. Although adapted by Jack Palmer from Stewart's original script, the Australian setting was kept. The cast included Dan Duryea, Frank Lovejoy and Carroll O'Connor and the director was Jack Smight. The Washington Post called it a "stimulating, above average production". The New York Times called it "an unusual story, enhanced by a good production".
The US Steel Hour would later film another Stewart play The Devil Makes Sunday.
The play was produced for Australian TV by Sydney station ATN-7, it was also shown in Melbourne on station GTV-9, as this was prior to the creation of the Seven Network and Nine Network (it is not known if it was also shown in Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth).
It was part of The General Motors Hour, a loosely scheduled occasional series which presented various types of one-off local productions.
The show won Best Drama at the 1961 Logie Awards.
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