Watch It (Australian Playhouse)

"Watch It"
Australian Playhouse episode
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 19
Directed by	Storry Walton
Teleplay by	Richard Barry
Original air date	22 August 1966 (1966-08-22)
Running time	30 mins
Episode chronology

"Watch It" is the 19th television play episode of the first season of the Australian anthology television series Australian Playhouse.[1] "Watch It" was written by Richard Barry and directed by Storry Walton and originally aired on ABC on 22 August 1966.

Plot

When watchmaker Ronnie meets a man with a very special wristwatch that "does everything" - it sets his partner Bill on the road to a spell in the cells.[2]

Cast

• John Armstrong as Robbie
• Ed Devereaux as Bill
• Don Crosby
• Edward Hepple
• Beverly Kirk
• Roger Ward

Production

Designer Douglas Smith hired $3,500 worth of watches and clocks. It was reportedly Ed Devereaux's first comedy.[3]

Reception

The Age TV critic said the plot "was rather thin... yet the story had its moments and a dialogue that sparked and entertained. It was even good fun. I should rate it as one of the best in the series."[4]

Filmink said "There are fun moments, superb production design with all those watches."[5]

References

1. Vagg, Stephen (18 February 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". Filmink.
2. "TV Guide". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 August 1966. p. 17.
3. ""Brother Jack" Watches It". The Age. 18 August 1966. p. 29.
4. Monitor (27 August 1966). "Advertising Analysed". The Age. p. 23.
5. Vagg, Stephen (29 August 2023). "Forgotten Australian Television Plays: Boy with Banner, Objector and Watch It". Filmink.

External links

• "Watch It" at AustLit
• "Watch It" at IMDb