Alpha Plan, The – Nostalgia Central

1 9 6 9 (New Zealand)
6 x 30 minute episodes

British geology professor Professor Stanton (Bruce Montague) arrives in New Zealand and becomes involved with pretty young journalist Judy Foster (Kay Gaylor) and the “Alpha Society”, a Mensa-like group of the planet’s intellectual elite – including Dr Elaine Vanderburg (Montague’s real-life wife Barbara Latham) and the mysterious Carl Elstrand (Barry Hill) – who are meeting at a conference on Pakatoa Island, just off Auckland.

Meanwhile, a DSIR scientist is killed in a mysterious car accident, a fake ‘Professor Stanton’ turns up dead, and British security agent Mike Jennings (Peter Vere-Jones) – posing as Edward Harris – ends up a prisoner of the Alpha Society on Pakatoa and on the run, accused of murder.

An older gentleman named Hodgkins (William Johnson) and his young assistant Honi Ranui (Craig Ashley) take more than a passing interest in the various goings-on.

The ambitious six-part Cold War-style mystery thriller from NZBC was the first Kiwi TV drama designed to go beyond one-episode plays and involved roughly 120 actors.

Professor Stanton
Bruce Montague
Judy Foster
Kay Gaylor
Dr Elaine Vanderburg
Barbara Latham
Carl Elstrand
Barry Hill
Edward Harris/Mike Jennings
Peter Vere-Jones
Hodgkins
William Johnson
Honi Ranui
Craig Ashley
Barney
Fred Betts
Dr Sterbling
Roy Leywood
Tormann
John Cronin