The Silent Playground (1963)

There is something distinctly haunting about this rather terrifying drama. Roland Curram is "Simon", a mentally ill man who knows the effects of his medication on himself, and so - perhaps benignly - administers these powerful barbiturates to young children. Needless to say, this action has pretty devastating effects and he is soon scared and on the run, being chased by his doctors and the constabulary. The drama builds well towards an, admittedly, expected conclusion but a larger role than usual for Desmond Llewellyn (Dr. Green") and a solid one from the always reliable Jean Anderson as his mother deliver as much of a public service message as an interesting drama about mental illness here. We are clearly being advised of the dangers of allowing sweetie-loving children near colourful pills and capsules.