TV
Saturday Night Theatre: Fade Out (ITV 4 Apr 1970, Stanley Baker, George Sanders)
In Fade Out Cabinet Minister James Fortune is accused of corruption, Sam Tennant is the tough talking boss of current affairs show World in Focus who wants to get Fortune on the show so that he can put “his side of the story.” Sam thinks if he can get Fortune to spill the beans it will certainly help him in his bid to become Programme Controller for his company.
This big budget production (120,000 pounds, a huge sum in 1970 for a TV drama) not only starred Stanley Baker but also movie legend George Sanders. In fact it’s fair to say it featured your classic all star cast. Stanley Baker’s Sam talks to Geoffrey Bayldon’s Gleason.
The TV Times of the week had a two page feature and interview with star Stanley Baker. At the time he was easily one of Britain’s biggest film actors but he was also one of the director of Harlech TV (along with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor no less) who made the drama. The production was Harlech’s first full length drama to be made in colour. The hope was that with Baker appearing the company could score a few international sales.
production details
UK / ITV – Harlech TV / 1×85 minute episode / Broadcast Saturday 11 April 1970 at 10.10pm
Writer: Leon Griffiths / Play: David Watson / Producer: Harry Field / Executive Producer: Patrick Dromgoole / Director: John Nelson Burton
cast
Stanley Baker as Sam Tennant
George Sanders as James Fortune
Ronald Hines as Adrian Wiles
Geoffrey Bayldon as Gleason
Ann Lynn as Hilary
Francis Matthews as Maxwell Burden
Faith Brook as Enid Drake