A Leap in the Dark
Directed by Claude WhathamWriter: Hugh Leonard (writer), Jed Purcell (adaptation)
1960
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Sheila Allen . . . . . . . . Stella Morrisey
Ian Bannen . . . . . . . . Charlie Spencer
Desmond Braden . . . . . . . . Georgie Spencer
Frank Finlay . . . . . . . . Alfred Wilson
Fred Johnson . . . . . . . . Robert Spencer
Ray McAnally . . . . . . . . Denis Brody
Bernadette O'Farrell . . . . . . . . Kay Brody
Sheila Ward . . . . . . . . Lena Spencer
This production featured Sheila Allen who would play Frank's wife in the huge TV hit Bouquet of Barbed Wire (1976) and its sequel Another Bouquet (1977).
Scottish actor Ian Bannen was making his mark in this Granda production. He would go on to be nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in The Flight of the Phoenix (1965), as well as two BAFTA Film Awards for his performances in The Offence (1973) and Hope and Glory (1987).
Bannen's other notable roles were in The Hill (1965), Penelope (1966), From Beyond the Grave (1974), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979), Eye of the Needle (1981), Braveheart (1995) and Waking Ned (1998), which earned him a Satellite Award.
ITV Play of the Week
ITV Play of the Week is a 90-minute UK television anthology series produced by a variety of companies including Granada Television, Associated-Rediffusion, ATV and Anglia Television. From 1956 to 1966 approximately 500 episodes aired on ITV. The first production was Ten Minute Alibi, produced by Associated-Rediffusion on 14 May 1956.
Frank appeared in three episodes:
The Girl in the Window (1960) Bill Foden
A Leap in the Dark (1960) Alfred Wilson
Sugar in the Morning (1959) Eric Watts