Face to Face (BBC 1951, Diana Dors, Robert Ayres)

In drama Face to Face Angel, a young stage performer in a song and dance act falls in love with a rich older businessman and runs away with him, breaking up her stage act and earning the wrath of the businessman’s grown-up children.

This play was performed live and featured Diana Dors as Angel in her first TV role.

There was a short snippet about the production in the week’s Radio Times which stated that author Emery Bonnett (who was a she) had made the author a vital part of the play. The production opens in fact with the author going to his writing desk and remaining in shot throughout – the twist was that every time the author stopped writing the action of the play stopped and as this happened over the course of the drama the people in the drama itself began to realise that they were not actually real. A very J.B. Priestley-esque style conceit although the article suggested it was more akin to Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author.

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production details
UK / BBC / 1×80 minute episode / Broadcast Tuesday 30 January 1951 at 8.30pm

Writer: Emery Bonett / Production Design: Barry Learoyd / Producer: Kevin Sheldon

cast
Diana Dors as Angel
Robert Ayres as Craig Brown
John Baker as A doorman
John Gatrell as Vincent Granam
Sarah Lawson as Myrtle Beninger
Thea Holme as Grace Hassett
Sonia Moray as A telegraph girl
Elizabeth Gray as Serena Pentonville
John Benson as Richard Beringer
Claude Bonser as Blake
Julian D’Albie as Arthur Beringer

Alastair James is the editor-in-chief of Memorable TV, leading the charge in covering today's must-see television. A lifelong television enthusiast, his passion began with a deep dive into the world of classic sci-fi, culminating in his role as editor of "Beyond the Static," a publication devoted to celebrating iconic sci-fi series. While his love for classic television remains, Alastair's focus at Memorable TV is firmly on the present, analyzing the latest trends in the television landscape, from gripping crime dramas to the ever-evolving strategies of Survivor. His insights have been featured in numerous publications. At Memorable TV, Alastair's goal is to provide readers with sharp commentary, engaging reviews, and in-depth analysis of the shows dominating the current conversation.