"Tartuffe" is a 1965 Australian television film directed by Henri Safran and starring Tony Bonner and Ron Haddrick. It was an episode of Wednesday Theatre and filmed in Sydney at ABC's Gore Hill Studios. It aired on 13 October 1965 in Sydney and Melbourne, and on 20 October 1965 in Brisbane.
Australian TV drama was relatively rare at the time.
Contents
Plot
Tartuffe convinces the rich merchant Organ he is a saint. Organ agrees for Tartuffe to marry his daughter although Tartuffe is actually interested in seducing Organ's wife.
Cast
Ron Haddrick as Tartuffe
Jennifer Wright as Elmire
Doreen Warburton as Dorine
John Gregg as Oleante
Ron Morse as Organ
Roberta Hunt as Mmse Pernelle
Charles Little as Damis
Lucia Duchenski as Marianne
John Stevens as Loyale
Jerome White as an officer
Doris Goddard as street girl
Tony Bonner as Valere
Production
Henri Safran said the play was "less a satire of hypocrisy than a condemnation of those who, by exaggerating their religious devotion, become prey for the cupidity of imposters."
Reception
The Canberra Times acclaimed it as one of the best productions of the year.
The Age called it "a thoroughly enjoyable experience."