A radically altered version of Max Afford's play, designed for American audiences. In this version, 'A Japanese-born mystery novelist is suspected of the murder of a Japanese sympathizer and his chauffeur in Australia during World War II' (Playbill Vault).
According to contemporary newspapers:
Instead of the villain of the piece being a Nazi (as those who saw the play at the Independent will remember him) he is to be a Japanese spy operating in Australia, and the final rescue of the heroine in the New York version is to be carried out by American marines. Mention of General Macarthur is made in the script.
In cables to Mr. Afford, Mr. Kirkland explained that the changes were desirable because in America it is believed that the Nazis would soon be out of the war, and that, in any case, there was a great American interest in Australia and a play about this country would be a novelty in the United States.
Source:
'Australian Play for New York', Sydney Morning Herald, 11 December 1943, p.4.
Opened on Broadway on 29 March 1945 and closed on 7 April 1945, after twelve performances.
Producers: Pat Allen and Dan Fisher.
Staging: Clarence Derwent.
Scenic Design: Harry Gordon Bennett.
Cast: Ronald Alexander (Detective Dennis Marsh), Gary Blivers (Frederick Smith), Helen Claire (Monica Sefton), Vicki Cummings (Sylvia Meade), Clarence Derwent (Chief Inspector Burke), Elfrida Derwent (Miss Hodges), Paul Fairleigh (Karl Kurt), and Hudson Faussett (Constable Pogson).
