Five White Fingers is a 1939 Australian radio play by Max Afford. Described as a "macarbe comedy" it was one of his most popular early works.[3][4][5]
| Genre | drama play |
|---|---|
| Running time | 60 mins[1] (8:00 pm – 9:00 pm) |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Language(s) | English |
| Written by | Max Afford |
| Original release | June 2, 1939[2] |
The play was produced again in 1945 directed by Frank Harvey[6] and in 1947.[7]
Premise
editAccording to Wireless Weekly:
“We can’t stop Ada laughing,” said Mrs. Plackett’s sister, Alice, and this was the final strange happening of the two crowded days that followed the coming of the Five White Fingers to the Plackett household. The wealthy widow found this curious relic in a small antique shop, and although her friend, Henry Merriott, swore it was genuine, her agent was frankly sceptical. The mischief worked by these restless fingers forms the basis for this comedy... but is it a comedy or has Ada’s laughter a macabre sound? Twist and countertwist are presented in this intriguing play that ranges from broad satire to sheer horror.[8]
References
edit- ^ "On National Radio To-Night". The Sun. No. 9176. New South Wales, Australia. 2 June 1939. p. 16 (Late Final Extra). Retrieved 1 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Radio Programme Points". Ouyen Mail. No. 1501. Victoria, Australia. 24 May 1939. p. 3. Retrieved 1 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Write-Tough--But Aren't". Murrumburrah Signal and County of Harden Advocate. New South Wales, Australia. 25 January 1940. p. 2. Retrieved 1 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Playwrights of Australia. Leading Radio Dramatist", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 35 (39), Sydney: Wireless Press, September 28, 1940, retrieved 1 November 2023 – via Trove
- ^ "Our Service Department", The Bulletin, 61 (3139), Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 10 Apr 1940, nla.obj-592834587, retrieved 1 November 2023 – via Trove
- ^ "Saturday", ABC Weekly, 7 (28), Sydney, 14 July 1945, retrieved 1 November 2023 – via Trove
- ^ "National Radio". Cairns Post. No. 14, 000. Queensland, Australia. 16 January 1947. p. 6. Retrieved 1 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Friday .....June 2", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, 34 (10), Sydney: Wireless Press, May 31, 1939, nla.obj-724583021, retrieved 1 November 2023 – via Trove