Charles and Margaret Wilson have a teenage son they refer to only as 'Boy'. He is a mutant, the next stage in human evolution. Outwardly he is perfectly normal, except for a curious lack of fingernails. He is blessed ( cursed? ) with strange psychic powers - he can make people do what he wants just by thinking about it.
'Boy' is being hunted by those wishing to study him. The Wilsons are constantly moving from one place to another, they can never settle down anywhere for long because the authorities are on their trail.
He meets and is attracted to Paula Wilde, a struggling American actress. She introduces him to her greedy agent Sonny, who sees 'Boy' as a meal ticket...
This intriguing David Campton story was not new to television viewers; the B.B.C.'s highly regarded 'Out Of The Unknown' did an adaptation in 1965 starring Richard O'Callaghan as 'Boy' with Justine Lord as 'Paula'. Not having seen that earlier version, I cannot make comparisons.
Like the Marvel Comic 'The X-Men', 'Stranger' touches on the theme of mutants - people who look like us but who are different - and how they are regarded with fear and mistrust by an uncomprehending Mankind.
Anthony Corlan ( later to change his surname to 'Higgins' ) gives a moody, compelling performance as the tormented 'Boy'. He later appeared in Hammer's 'Vampire Circus'. American actress Janice Rule ( a talented lady who sadly never got the roles she deserved ) is excellent as the object of his affections.
Also in the cast are Glynn Edwards ( 'Dave' the barman from 'Minder' ) and Gerald Sim ( the vicar in 'To The Manor Born' ).
Directed by Peter Duffell, whose other television credits include 'Strange Report' and 'Man In A Suitcase'.
'Boy' is being hunted by those wishing to study him. The Wilsons are constantly moving from one place to another, they can never settle down anywhere for long because the authorities are on their trail.
He meets and is attracted to Paula Wilde, a struggling American actress. She introduces him to her greedy agent Sonny, who sees 'Boy' as a meal ticket...
This intriguing David Campton story was not new to television viewers; the B.B.C.'s highly regarded 'Out Of The Unknown' did an adaptation in 1965 starring Richard O'Callaghan as 'Boy' with Justine Lord as 'Paula'. Not having seen that earlier version, I cannot make comparisons.
Like the Marvel Comic 'The X-Men', 'Stranger' touches on the theme of mutants - people who look like us but who are different - and how they are regarded with fear and mistrust by an uncomprehending Mankind.
Anthony Corlan ( later to change his surname to 'Higgins' ) gives a moody, compelling performance as the tormented 'Boy'. He later appeared in Hammer's 'Vampire Circus'. American actress Janice Rule ( a talented lady who sadly never got the roles she deserved ) is excellent as the object of his affections.
Also in the cast are Glynn Edwards ( 'Dave' the barman from 'Minder' ) and Gerald Sim ( the vicar in 'To The Manor Born' ).
Directed by Peter Duffell, whose other television credits include 'Strange Report' and 'Man In A Suitcase'.
