Pretty Polly ITV Play

Pretty Polly

1966 - United Kingdom

Kicking off a new season of ABC Armchair Theatre on 23 July 1966 was William Marchant's television adaptation of Noel Coward's short story Pretty Polly Barlow starring Lynn Redgrave as an ugly duckling who only later turns into a most possessing young swan. 

Redgrave shackled her natural charms to start off the play as a very plain girl indeed. This is when she sets off on a cruise as a much bullied companion to her rich and obnoxious aunt (Dandy Nichols). 

Her aunt's untimely death in Singapore, however, releases Polly, and with great presence of mind in the circumstances, she pockets her aunt's jewels and ready cash and starts to have the time of her life. 

With the help of Singaporean travel courier Amaz (Zia Mohyeddin), she begins the transformation by exchanging her spectacles for lenses. The result is spectacular - as confirmed by her immoral Uncle Bob (Donald Houston) who joins her for the funeral from his up-country plantation. 

The following year the story was transferred to the big screen (also sub-titled A Matter of Innocence) starring Hayley Mills in the title role with Trevor Howard as the uncle. 

The story editor on the TV production was Terence Feely, Leonard White produced and the director was Bill Bain. This was an ABC Weekend Network Production.    

Published on April 4th, 2020. Based on original TV Times article and adapted.

Read Next...

Alice in Wonderland

Unimpressed with Disney's 1951 animated version of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, Jonathan Miller was keen to develop a new version which would bring to the fore undertones of the story that had been glossed over in the often 'traditional' presentation of this classic children's tale.

Also released in 1966

The Close Prisoner

"We are all conceived in close prison: in our mother's wombs, we are close prisoners all...and then all our life is but a going out to the place of execution, to death..." John Donne.

Also tagged Single Play

The Brahmin Widow

A soldier returns to India to find the girl he loved but had to leave.

Also tagged Single Play

Daktari

"The real stars of the series were Clarence the lion and Judy the chimpanzee."

Also released in 1966

After the Funeral

When Alun Owen's play 'After the Funeral' was read by Sydney Newman, head of drama for ABC Television, and William Kotcheff, the television director, they were so taken by his conception of Wales and the Welsh, they decided to see for themselves.

Also tagged Single Play

George and the Dragon

Classic sitcom starring Sid James as an over-amorous handyman who wants his boss to employ a 'dolly-bird' housekeeper, but ends up with a 'dragon' (Peggy Mount).

Also released in 1966

Albert TV play

Single play based on a true story about an ingenious and daring escape from a German POW camp for Allied naval officers during WW2

Also tagged Single Play

All Summer Long

Willie has tried to make his father aware of the danger to their house from flood water, but Dad thinks that Willie's fears are excessive. Willie decides to spend all summer long building a wall to keep out the river, but his efforts are in vain.

Also tagged Single Play