AustLit

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'CHARLES SIMPSON: Data processing businessman. Self-made and proud of it. Very efficient, hard working, honest in his dealings. Happily married but the one big tragedy in his life was the drowning of his five year old daughter, Mandy, five years before the story opens. He's never completely got over it and on her birthdates and the anniversaries of her death tends to take to the drink and become morose. He had a nervous breakdown after the tragedy. A man without enemies and a contemporary of Peters, having known each other since childhood days. DRIVES.

'YVONNE SIMPSON: Charles' attractive wife and also a friend of Peters; but Yvonne is more conscious of her 'position' than Charles, tends to worry about always putting on a good 'front' and is generally more shallow than her husband. But she's a good, faithful wife, pushy, wanting only Charles' success and happiness. There's a bit of a women's libber lying dormant in her and when Charles' [sic] is down in hospital, it surges to the fore and she's instrumental in breaking up the friendship between Peters and Charles. She's never really approved of Peters, though she's willing to use him when necessary. Early 30's.

'BOB HUDSON: Roughneck father of the missing child, Angie. Motor mechanic and could earn a good living at it but likes to drink too much, gamble too much ... and spoil Angie too much, to the point of neglecting Kay, his wife, and his other four children, though he'd be surprised if this was pointed out to him. Not too many brains and about as subtle as a bull-dozer. No use for Police; Takes [sic] the law into his own hands when Angie is missing and is, [sic] completely unrepentent about it. Early 30's.

'KAY HUDSON: Bob's long-suffering wife and mother of Angie. She's a quiet woman who rarely complains, battles on, apparently subjugated by Bob but showing a flash of spirit occasionally which usually surprises him. She does her best, really believing she took Bob 'for better or worse' when she married him. But the silent resentment of his obvious favouritism to Angie builds up over the years, finally bursts loose and ends in tragedy ... She's really a tragic figure, uncomplaining, dowdy. About 30.

'ANGIE HUDSON: 10-year old [sic] daughter of the Hudsons. Normal enough kid, revelling in the gifts her father showers on her and sensing that she's his favourite and that he even cares more for her than Kay.

'DOCTOR: One scene.

'BILL LEWIS: Simpson's business partner. Younger, a bit of a hustler, clean-cut type. Worries that Simpson's disappearance and subsequent bashing could affect 'The Firm'. Mid to late 20's.

'TOMMY: Kid in playground. About 10 or 11. Cheeky-faced, appealing. 3 scenes.

'2 UNIFORMED CONSTABLES'.

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'HORRIE ALLEN: Late 30s - mid 40s. A big, innocent, likeable, naive, dunder-pated bear of a man. Loves Nancy, feels responsible for Charlie.

'CHARLIE ALLEN: Late 30s - early 40s. Horrie's younger brother. A smooth-talking, opportunistic, manipulating conman. Not very good at it, but thinks he's smart. Uses Horrie, but cares for him in a rough sort of way. Resents Nancy's interference. A likeable rogue until he takes things too far. Short and slight build unlike his brother. Tries to be the flashy dresser.

'NANCY HOGG: Late 30s - mid 40s. Long-suffering, mothering, but with a sense of humour and quite a bit of spirit. Loves Horrie, but is deeply hurt by what transpires.

'JACK DREWSON: Late 30s - early forties. Slick, good with words, tries to be the well-groomed, erudite, man of business. Really a cheap crook. Like a snake, dangerous when roused.

'AUBREY: A short, tubby man. Thick. Drewson's "muscle".

'RACECALLER: Voice-over only.

'BARMAN:

'LADY: Late 50s. Butch, aggressive.

'DERO: No dialogue.

'TAXI DRIVER: Actual.

'SERVICE STATION ATTENDANT #1: No dialogue.

'SERVICE STATION ATTENDANT #2: Young, obnoxiously eager.'

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'RON SLATER: 45 years old; English or Australian. There is something bizarre, pathetic and at the same time frightening about this little man. He looks quite indifferent, but is driven by a deep-seated inferiority complex. He is very intense, speaks in a low, clipped voice, and moves briskly and purposefully. He is not insane, though his obsessive hatred of foreigners borders on insanity. However, his manner must appear normal. Drives.

'JACK BRADLEY: 18 years old. His father is an alcoholic and wife-basher. Bradley, rather weak, lonely and simple, has not made friends with youngsters of his own age. He felt he was a misfit - until he joined the White Progressive Party. He admires Slater greatly He [sic] gives leadership, and he does not drink. Bradley is the dupe who will unquestioningly do what he is told. There is an unspoken homosexual quality about his admiration for Slater.

'EMMANUEL CZOSKI (PRONOUNCE CHOSKY) Polish. Fifty-five. Speaks English well. A successful businessman, thanks to a good head and very hard work. He is an arrogant man, has no talent to assimilate. Drives

'ANNA CZOSKI: His daughter. In her early twenties. Good-looking and intelligent. Born in Australia. Has a good deal of courage and pride. (no accent) Drives. [sic]

'MRS SLATER: A sweet, homely little woman, fond of flowers and pretty things. Her marriage to Slater was a disaster, but she has got over it. She has turned off the past and now lives in her own small world.

'BERYL KING: Slater's landlady. About fifty. Widowed or divorced, rough and matter-of-fact. Likes the boys, horse-racing and drink, but manages to lead a reasonably respectable life.

'FINCH: Late thirties. Australian or English. Storeman at quarry.

'HENDRICKS: Explosive expert. Matter-of-fact. Australian.

'UNIFORMED POLICE 2 extras.'

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'MARK WALKER. Late twenties. Smooth, tough, cool. Very fond of his sister who's [sic] death he wishes to avenge.

'PETER YOUNG. Late twenties. Handsome Ski Instructor. Likeable personality. Complete libertine.

'CAROL GREEN. Twenties. Attractive. Good figure. The pleasures of becoming the boss's wife have faded. She looks for excitement outside the marriage bed - and finds it.

'CHARLES GREEN. Fifties or older. Austrian - now resident in Australia. He's very jealous of his young wife. We shall come to sympathise with him.

'LILIAN DAVIS. Late thirties. Well dressed, well kept - and well off. She can indulge her fancies. As she gets older - the men get younger.

'TED SCOTT. Mid thirties. General factotum around the Lodge. Friends with everyone. Eager to please.

'RECEPTIONIST. Twenties. Attractive. Personable.

'MANAGER. 50's. Genial - helpful. Could be Continental.

'BOBBY. No lines, but direction needed.

'YOUNG MAN. Extra.

'MARK'S GIRL. No lines, but direction needed.

'YOUNG GIRL. Extra.

'GUNTHER STRAUSS. Part to be played by actual Ski Instructor/Stuntman.'

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'CARL REID: About thirty. Hard, tough. He's been in trouble as long as he can remember. He knows no other way of life than committing crimes and trying to avoid the consequences. Roz is his soft spot.

'ROZ THOMPSON: Mid twenties. Though young in years, she's been around. Attractive, resourceful, tough. She's completely wrapped up in Carl and would do anything for him. Drives.

'ROCKY WALKER: About forty. One time boxer turned stand-over man. He's almost a match for Carl. Has the same creed of looking after No. 1 first. He is homosexual, but this is not obvious in his appearance or mannerisms.

'TONY GREY: Early twenties. Pleasant, good looking. He is completely out of his depth with Carl and Rocky. Before Gaol he would have led a quiet life working in an office and living at home.

'BENNETT: Thirties. Preferably tall to contrast with Smith. Affable. Easy going.

'SMITH: Thirties. Somewhat overweight. Pessimistic glutton.

'BRIAN YOUNG: Forties. Affable. Considers himself the life and soul of any party. Flying is his life.

'JILL: Twenties. Attractive country girl. Drives.

'JOE: Fifties. Amiable - but tough when confronted by Carl Reid.

'GUARD (JACK): Any age. Few lines.

'GUARD (JIM): Any age. Few lines.

'DOCTOR FOX: Any age. Few lines.

'FARMER: Middle age. No lines.

'EVANS: Forties. Slight, shifty man. Few lines.

'ANDERSON: Forties. Big, bluff, no nonsense man. Few lines.

'TAYLOR: Thirties. Preferably bigger than Evans. Few lines.

'POLICE CONSTABLE: Any age.'

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'HUGH ROBINSON (ROBBO): Mid-thirties, professional safecracker, born and bred in Matlock but moved to Sydney after a couple of close brushes with the law. A likeable easy-going rogue with a touch of the blarney.

'BABS TAYLOR: About 40. Robbo's elder sister. Forthright and honest she lives in hope of reforming her brother and looks after his daughter Lisa. (Robbo's marriage broke up a few years previously, for reasons which should become obvious). A rugged, no-nonsense personality with a soft spot for Robbo.

'EARL TAYLOR: About 40. Earl married Babs about five years ago under the false impression that he could induce her to sell the property and thus live off the proceeds. Basically lazy, he has a patent aversion to farm life and suffers periodically from hay fever. (Must Drive)

'FRANK NASH / WES PARKER: Late thirties, early forties. Two heavies working out of Sydney. Tough, ruthless professionals with a score to settle. (One of them must drive)

'LISA ROBINSON: Robbo's fourteen year old daughter. Idolises her father but aware of his short comings [sic]: loves horses. She proves a major stumbling block in her father's plans to escape. (Does not have to ride)

'KEITH HARDING: Fifties. Manager of the Matlock Dairymen's co-op.

'TRUCK DRIVER: Thirties. Small part.

'JIMMY MULLIGAN/CHICKA DEMPSEY: Forties. Drunken pub brawlers.

'DRIVER AT ROADBLOCK: No lines.'

A character has been deleted from the character notes: 'HEATHER GREEN: Twenties. Receptionist at the Regal Motel'.

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection includes the following character notes:

'JUDY WINTER. 20. Average young girl. Quiet and attractive. Goes to pieces after the attack mainly because of her mother.

'DAVID THOMPKIN. Early 20's. Introvert, in love with Judy, but afraid to approach her. His frustration builds up and he attacks Trevor and rapes Judy.

'MR. WINTER. Middle 40's. Kind, understanding, but weak. Stands up to his wife to a certain extent, but not all the way as she owns their farm and he is afraid of losing everything.

'MRS. WINTER. Middle 40's. Her main concern is the "Winter name". Feels that Judy is at fault and brought on the attack. Is a very hard woman, completely lacking in understanding and compassion.

'WALTERS. 20's. Works where Judy was employed. Big mouthed, with a distorted sense of humour. Not a very nice fellow.

'MAN 1. Early 20's. One scene - lines.

'MAN 2. Early 20's. No lines.

'TREVOR. Judy's boyfriend - nice ordinary young man.

'POLICEWOMAN. Sympathetic character.

'OFFICE GIRL. About 18. Ordinary type.

'OFFICE MANAGER (MR. HUGHES). 50's. Ordinary sort of guy. Feels sorry for Judy, but is perhaps embarrassed by her.

'PHOTOGRAPHER (LAURIE). Not police. Young artistic type.

'RADIO ANNOUNCER 1 & 2 (V.O)

'NURSE

'DR. MITCHELL

'WOMAN SHOPPER. 40's. Few lines.

'PUBLICAN. Lines.

'FOUR EXTRAS. Men and women (For Ladies Lounge). No lines.

'AMBULANCE MEN (2) Actuals.

'SOLDIER (UNIFORM) No lines.

'UNIFORMED CONSTABLE. No lines.'

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'RAY JONES Early 20's. Looks younger. Killer who is nothing without a weapon in his hand. Drives.

'LIZ JOHNSON Plump nymphet, about 18. Institutionalized, hard, but dominated by Jones.

'ALICE PRICE About 24. Middle class. Had an unhappy romance. Wants to rebuild her life on her own, away from her family.

'JOAN PRICE Mother, late forties. Understands that the middle class life has made her unable to appreciate her daughter's problems, and unable to help her. But can't change now.

'JACK PRICE Father. 50ish. Ex-farmer who has been intelligent enough to build a small business when the outlook for farmers faded. Comfortable but not wealthy. A man who puts his family first. Capable of violence only in final anger and despair. Drives.

'JOCK BROWN 50ish. Must be small, wispy in stature. He's happily drinking himself to death and has a sense of humour about most things in life. [Note: The character's name on the casting call sheets is 'Edgar Browne', though the 'Browne' has subsequently been crossed out.]

'DOCTOR BEDI

'UNIFORMED CONSTABLE (A) One scene with a line of dialogue otherwise an extra.

'UNIFORMED CONSTABLE (B) Extra.

'UNIFORMED CONSTABLE (C) Extra.

'UNIFORMED CONSTABLE (D) Extra.

'MAURIE TAYLOR Middle aged garage owner. Rough natured, but friendly. Lived in the country all his life.

'AMBULANCE MEN Actual.

'HELICOPTER PILOT Actual.'

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection includes the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

VINCENTE GARELLI: Early 20's. Typical Sicilian. Passionate and strong willed. Drives.

MARIA GARELLI: 20. Italian. Mature for her age. (6 months pregnant).

LEN: Middle twenties. Vincente's friend. Drives.

BILL THOMAS: 40-50. Drinks heavily. Lazy. In debt. Likes women. Drives.

ELSE THOMAS: 42-50. Drinks, because of her husband. Drives.

JACK WILMOTT: 50's. Vincente's boss. Kind man. Thinks a lot of Vincente. Drives.

MRS. WILMOTT: 50's. Like her husband.

FATHER DAWSON: Catholic priest.

JOE FLETCHER: 30-40. Suspect. Has been involved in similar accident, but not convicted. (Lack of evidence).

DR. BEDI: As established.

NURSE:

UNIFORMED CONSTABLE: Young.

The Matlock Police series (originally simply titled Matlock) was commissioned from Crawford Productions by ATV-0, in response to the popularity of rival-network police dramas such as Homicide and Division 4. Crawford's was initially reluctant to create another police series, but ATV-0 pressured the company for some time. Eventually, Ian Jones and Terry Stapleton devised the concept of a regional (Victorian) police series to provide viewers with something different. The more relaxed atmosphere of the country-town setting also allowed the writers to delve into the private lives of the main characters, rather than focusing heavily on big-city organised crime. In this respect, the series was situated somewhere between Homicide/Division 4 and Bellbird. The series did, however, cover typical rural policing, including such issues as break and enters, domestic issues, itinerant workers, brawls, petty crime and robberies, road accidents, the occasional homicide, and cattle rustling. On other occasions, the Matlock police also assisted Melbourne police in locating criminals on the run (among other problems). The idea behind the show was to reflect the causes of crime in a small community and show the effects on both the community and the officers themselves.

The fictional town of Matlock (loosely based on Shepparton in Victoria) is situated inland on the Central Highway, approximately 160 kilometres north of Melbourne. Although the town's population is only seventeen thousand, this increases to around seventy-five thousand when the district is included. The Matlock Police Station is typical of a Victorian country town, with a Uniform Branch and a Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). The CIB is headed by Detective Sergeant Vic Maddern, who grew up in the Matlock district and is an accomplished bushman. Second in command is Detective Allan Curtis, aged in his mid-twenties. Previously from Melbourne, Curtis has just been sent to his first country posting (against his will) when the series begins. Head of the Uniform Branch is Sergeant Bert Kennedy, an Englishman who migrated to Australia in 1950. A thorough but also easy-going man with a good sense of humour, Kennedy is married to Nell and enjoys the country life in Matlock, so much so that he has knocked back promotion to avoid moving to Melbourne. Several constables are attached to the Uniform Branch, but the most prominent is a motorcycle cop, Constable Gary Hogan, who performs a wide variety of duties. Hogan is about thirty, a friendly, easy-going person who grew up in the country and is always willing to help in whatever work is going.