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The Outcasts (Australian TV series)

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For other television series with same or similar title, see Outcast (disambiguation).

The Outcasts
Ad from SMH 28 May 1961
Genrehistory
Created byRex Rienits
Directed byColin Dean
StarringRon Haddrick
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes12
Production
Running time30 mins
Original release
NetworkABC
Release28 May (Sydney)
25 June 1961 (Melbourne) –
10 September 1961 (Melbourne)


The Outcasts was a 1961 Australian television serial. A period drama, it was broadcast live, though with some film inserts.[1] All 12 episodes of the serial survive as kinescope recordings.[2] It was a sequel to Stormy Petrel.[3][4][5]

Plot

The Outcasts told the story of William Redfern and his attempts to build a hospital in Sydney in 1808.

Cast

  • Ron Haddrick as William Redfern
  • Henry Gilbert as Governor Lachlan Macquarie
  • JOhn Gray as Reverend Samuel Marsden
  • Amber Mae Cecil as Sarah Redfern
  • Margo Lee as Mrs John MacArthur
  • Leonard Bullen as JT Campbell
  • John Unicomb as H.C. Antill
  • Lynne Murphy as Mrs Macquarie
  • Walter Sullivan as John MacArthur
  • Delia Williams as Mary O'Connell
  • Philip Ross as W.C. Wentworth
  • Carolyn Keely as Eliza Antill
  • James Condon as Maurice O'Connell
  • Edward Howell as D'arcy Wentworth
  • Al Thomas as Francis Greenway
  • Jo Coco as Surgeon Bohan

Episodes

  • Ep 1 - 28 May (Syd), 25 Jun (Melb) - "The New Governor" - starts in September 1808, former convict William Redfern is friends with Macquarie
  • Ep 2 - 4 June (Syd), 2 July (Melb) - "Bond and Free" Macquarie and Marsden argue over whether to invite Redfern to dinner. The invitation ipresses Edward Willis, a wealthy settler who did not approve of Redfern and his daughter.
  • Ep 3 - 11 June (Syd), 9 July (Melb) - "The Vision Grows"
  • Ep 4 - 18 June (Syd), 16 July (Melb) - "Re enter John MacArthur"
  • Ep 5 - 25 June (Syd), 23 July (Melb) - "The System"
  • Ep 6 - 2 July (Syd), 30 July (Melb) - "Barrier Breached" - the Blue Mountains are crossed
  • Ep 7 - 9 July (Syd), 6 Aug (Melb) - "Another Lachlan" - a son for Governor Macuarie is born
  • Ep 8 - 16 July (Syd), 13 Aug (Melb) - "The Trouble Makers" - Redfern and Sarah move into their new hospital
  • Ep 9 - 23 July (Syd), 20 Aug (Melb) - "The Exile's Return" - MacArthur Returns to the Colony
  • Ep 10 - 30 July (Syd) 27 Aug (Melb) - "The Showdown" - Macquarie's Administration Investigated
  • Ep 11 - 6 August (Syd), 3 Sept (Melb) "The Final Challenge" - Gilbert's Appointment Opposed"
  • Ep 12 - 13 Aug (Syd) 10 Sept (Melb) - "Victory"

Production

Stormy Petrel, written by Rex Rienits and Colin Dean, had been a big success for the ABC. In November 1960 it was announced Dean and Rienits would reunite for a serial about William Redfern.[6]

In March 1961 Dean said "it has not quite the clear, dramatic line of 'Stormy Petrel'. It involves more people, and although it lacks the central issue of the rebellion, much more happens in 'The Outcasts,' which covers from 1808 to 1822. 'The Outcasts' illustrates the change in the colony — Macquarie's policy of building up a settlement rather than administering it as a penal colony."[7]

There was a cast of 42.[7] A huge set was built to replicate George Street.[8]

Reception

The Woman's Weekly said the story "seems closer to present-day Australia in its lasting effects than the Bligh rebellion, with its high life at Government House, its turbulence, and its drama. "The Outcasts" is a quieter story, made up of more of the everyday events of life... "The Outcasts" is interesting and excellent TV. I know I'll make great efforts not to miss an episode."[9]

The Bulletin said "For those who like their historical drama presented in the Alfred Dampier manner, with shouting, weeping, oppression of the weak, all the characters pure-white or pure-black in morals and the dialogue scissored out of volumes seven to ten of the “Historical Records of Australia,” the series is good, clean fun. But viewers should not take them as historical gospel."[10]

Sequel

In January 1962 the ABC announced there would be a third series, making it a historical trilogy. It would focus on Darling versus Wentworth.[11]

References

  1. ^ "NFSA - Title Details".
  2. ^ "NFSA - Title Details".
  3. ^ "A.B.C. plans new historical serial". The Australian Women's Weekly. 2 November 1960. p. 90. Retrieved 4 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "A.B.C.-TV'S NEW HISTORICAL SERIAL". The Australian Women's Weekly. 22 March 1961. p. 62. Retrieved 4 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Perry Masan in three live shows". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 29, no. 3. 21 June 1961. p. 19. Retrieved 21 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "A.B.C. plans new historical serial". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 28, , no. [?]. Australia, Australia. 2 November 1960. p. 74. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  7. ^ a b "A.B.C.-TV'S NEW HISTORICAL SERIAL". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 28, , no. 42. Australia, Australia. 22 March 1961. p. 62. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  8. ^ "TV stars rally for heart fund". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 28, , no. 52. Australia, Australia. 31 May 1961. p. 19. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  9. ^ "Perry Masan in three live shows". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 29, , no. 3. Australia, Australia. 21 June 1961. p. 19. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  10. ^ "The Outcasts of the A.B.C. Channel 2 Goes "Authentic"". The Bulletin. 5 August 1961. p. 12.
  11. ^ "ABN plans third historical TV serial". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 29, , no. 35. Australia, Australia. 31 January 1962. p. 17. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
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