''Mr Smart Guy'' is a 1941 Australian play by

Alec Coppel Alec Coppel (17 September 1907 – 22 January 1972) was an Australian-born screenwriter, novelist and playwright. He spent the majority of his career in London and Hollywood, specialising in light thrillers, mysteries and sex comedies. He is best ...

that was later filmed as '' Smart Alec'' (1951). Coppel wrote the play in England at the beginning of the war. They play had originally been called ''North Light''. Coppel then had it produced when he went to Australia. He called it a sequel to his earlier ''

I Killed the Count ''I Killed the Count'' is a 1937 play by Alec Coppel. Its success launched Coppel's career. 1937 London production Cast * Eric Maturin as Count Victor Mattoni *Athole Stewart as Viscount Sorrington *Alec Clunes as Detective Raines * Anthony Hol ...

''.

Plot

Rex Albion wishes to take possession of a particular flat which is opposite that of his rich uncle. He moves in and invites the chief commissioner of police, Sir Randolph Towe, over for tea. While this happens, the uncle is shot dead while sitting on the balcony... but no bullet is found.

World premiere

The play had its world premiere in Sydney in 1941. It was the first presentation from Whitehall Productions, a new theatrical company established by Coppel and Kathleen Robinson. The profits from the season went to the Red Cross.

Original cast

Nigel Lovell Nigel Tasman Lovell (27 January 1916 – 13 December 2001) was an Australian stage, radio, film and television actor, and producer of opera and both stage and radio drama. History Lovell was born in Sydney, a son of Tasman Lovell, Professor of ...

as Rex Albion *

Harvey Adams Harvey Adams (1889, Warrington, England – 1960, Australia) was an English actor and director who worked extensively in film, stage and radio. He moved to Australia in 1924 for work after a long career, played leading man for Muriel Starr from 19 ...

as Detective Inspector Ashley *

Catherine Duncan Catherine Duncan (17 March 1915 – 14 August 2006) was an Australian documentary filmmaker, actor, playwright, film researcher, script writer, film critic, archivist, and collagist. She is most well known for her work in radio broadcasts and s ...

as Judith Dyer *Charles Zoli as Cossage, the porter *Richard Parry as Sir Randolph Towle, chief commissioner of police *Leslie Victor as the family lawyer Mr Gruppy *Grant McIntyre as Walter *Charles McCallum as Mr. Justice Abercorn *Frederick McMahon as Detective Farr *John MacDougall as Richards *Phil Smith as Mr Hymie William Constable did the design.

Reception

The ''Sydney Morning Herald'' reviewer said those who found ''I Killed the Count'' "such a soundly-constructed and Ingenious murder mystery will find much to entertain them in his latest offering, despite its weakness and its lack of sustained interest... The first act drags, and the second loses its necessary punch and development of tension because its course of drama is too often impeded by comic interference." The ''Daily Telegraph'' called it "delightful entertainment." ''The Bulletin'' called it "well cast and acted... a fairly good" detective mystery although "What mars it is the padding in the second act and the third act’s revelation of both a trick killing and a whacking coincidence : a bit too thick, so that the play as a whole becomes a bit too thin. Without any pretences to originality—a comic porter ; the old school tie ; clashes between the bull-roaring detective-inspector and the footling police commissioner ; the comic foreigner appearing as the comic refugee—the byplay that makes the bulk of the play is cheerfully done and gets its full quota of laughs. The murder situation is original." The play was a popular success. The play was revived at the Minerva in August 1941 for a three-week run with

Ron Randell Ron is a shortening of the name Ronald. Ron or RON may also refer to: Arts and media * Big Ron (''EastEnders''), a TV character * Ron (''King of Fighters''), a video game character *Ron Douglas, the protagonist in '' Lucky Stiff'' played by Joe ...

in the lead role and

Muriel Steinbeck Muriel Myee Steinbeck (21 July 1913 – 20 July 1982) was an Australian actress who worked extensively in radio, theatre, television and film. She is best known for her performance as the wife of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in '' Smithy'' (1946) ...

in the lone female part. The ''Sydney Morning Herald'' theatre critic said Randell "failed to explore the subtle aspects of the playwright's study of a criminal exhibitionist."

Radio adaptation

The play was performed on radio on the ABC in May 1941.

Max Afford Malcolm R. Afford (8 April 1906 – 2 November 1954) known as Max Afford, was an Australian playwright and novelist. Biography Early years Afford was born in Adelaide, South Australia, the youngest son of Robert D. Afford of "Glenleigh", Sta ...

did the adaptation and the original cast reprised their roles. The play was performed on radio in Australia again in 1945. The play also inspired a song by Sefton Daly which was recorded by Coppel's then-fiancée Myra.

English production: ''Strange as It May Seem''

The play was produced in England in 1947 under the title ''Strange as it May Seem''. The ''Derby Evening Telegraph'' called it "an excellent play".

Radio production

The play was adapted for Australian radio under this title in 1949.

References

{{Alec Coppel 1940s Australian plays 1941 plays Plays by Alec Coppel 1941 Australian radio dramas 1945 Australian radio dramas Radio plays by Max Afford Australian plays adapted for radio