Christopher Muir
Born1931
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia[1]
Died2022 (aged 90-91)
Occupation(s)Television executive, film and television producer and director
Known forHead of the ABC drama department

Christopher Muir (1931 - 2022[1]) was an Australian director and producer, notable for his work in TV in the 1950s and 1960s.[2][3] In the 1980s he was head of ABC Television drama.

Biography

Most of his early childhood was spent in France, but he returned to Melbourne upon the outbreak of World War II. He joined the ABC in 1949 at the recommendation of his headmaster upon completing his schooling at Melbourne Grammar School. Initially working as a messenger boy, he soon became a general trainee, and by 1954 he was a radio announcer. In 1955 the ABC seconded him to Paris to study television. He returned to Melbourne for the inauguration of ABC television in 1956. The ensuing decade saw him become a pioneer of television drama and music productions, often screened live-to-air during prime time on the ABC.[1]

In an interview about the ABC's live TV drama he said "We producers had a buzz around us wherever we went but we also faced a lot of criticism. I thought 60 percent of what we did was okay and 40 percent I thought was dreadful. I recall doing several one-act plays by Australians but nothing memorable. There was no firm commitment to local material and we felt it was fascinating for viewers to see things like Chekhov and some of the world's best drama."[4]

Annette Andre said "he was very intelligent and more experienced. He wasn’t easy, but he could get a performance out of an actor."[5]

He left in the early 70s to work in theatre, but soon returned. In 1982 he was appointed head of drama at the ABC.[6] Uncomfortable with the politics of the role and changes taking place within the organisation, Muir left the ABC in 1987 after 38 years there.[1]

Personal life

He was married to German Australian actress and theatre director Elke Neidhardt, with whom he had a son, Fabian.[7][8]

Select credits

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Muir, Fabian (2 May 2022). "ABC head of drama acquainted with Humphries, Fraser and Greer". Sydney Morning Herald.
  2. ↑ "From Comic Opera to Tense Jungle Drama". The Age. 22 October 1959. p. 16.
  3. ↑ "Producers Must Have an Idea". The Age. 25 January 1962. p. 11.
  4. ↑ Day, Christopher (1981). "TV Drama". In Peter Beilby (ed.). Australian TV: The First 25 Years. Thomas Nelson. p. 137.
  5. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (29 August 2020). "Annette Andre: My Brilliant Early Australian Career". Filmink.
  6. ↑ Reines, Rosalind (28 December 1982). "Battered But ABC Has Great Potential". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 23.
  7. ↑ "WANTED! A Happy New Year for two nice people". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 34, no. 33. 11 January 1967. p. 7. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ "Producer who has returned to television an optimist". The Age. 13 January 1966. p. 12.
  9. ↑ "BRIEF PREVIEWS From Montreal by satellite". The Canberra Times. Vol. 41, no. 11, 682. 8 May 1967. p. 15. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ "GAY ITALIAN PERIOD OPERA". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 30, no. 2. 31 October 1962. p. 4 (Television). Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ↑ "Lyric Drama". The Canberra Times. Vol. 37, no. 10, 471. 27 February 1963. p. 27. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ↑ "TV AND RADIO HIGHLIGHTS". The Canberra Times. Vol. 37, no. 10, 566. 19 June 1963. p. 35. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ↑ "Doctor. drama on 3". The Canberra Times. Vol. 38, no. 10, 894. 8 July 1964. p. 18. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ↑ "The Critic Room down under, extraordinary". The Canberra Times. Vol. 38, no. 10, 904. 20 July 1964. p. 12. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ↑ "Luther play on A.B.C. 3". The Canberra Times. Vol. 38, no. 10, 905. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 21 July 1964. p. 11. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ↑ "CRITIC No reason for cutting ABC's Luther". The Canberra Times. Vol. 38, no. 10, 910. 27 July 1964. p. 10. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ↑ "COWARD'S PLAY ON CHANNEL 3". The Canberra Times. Vol. 38, no. 10, 899. 14 July 1964. p. 11. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ↑ "Last opera in series". The Canberra Times. Vol. 43, no. 12, 130. 14 October 1968. p. 13. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ↑ "Australian in title role". The Canberra Times. Vol. 39, no. 11, 050. 11 January 1965. p. 13. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ↑ "PETER GRIMES, MAJOR PRODUCTION A milestone in our T.V. history". The Canberra Times. Vol. 39, no. 11, 054. 15 January 1965. p. 9. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ↑ "TELEVISION A Christmas selection". The Canberra Times. Vol. 42, no. 11, 878. 22 December 1967. p. 10. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (29 August 2023). "Forgotten Australian Television Plays: Boy with Banner, Objector and Watch It". Filmink.
  23. ↑ "TIMESTYLE". The Canberra Times. Vol. 60, no. 18, 247. 15 September 1985. p. 10. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
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