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Issue Details: First known date: 1971... 1971 Close-Up : Scripts from Australian Television's Second Decade
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

A selection of scripts from television programs telecast by the Australian Broadcasting Commission between 1965 and 1970. (See note below for the accuracy of this date span.)

Notes

  • Although editors Ron Reid and Frank Bladwell indicate in the Introduction to Close-up that all the scripts are from programs telecast by the Australian Broadcasting Commission between 1965 and 1970 (p. 7), that statement is misleading. One of the scripts, 'Seven Little Australians, Episode 1,' had not been produced for television at that time and, in fact, was not telecast until 1973. In their introduction to the Seven Little Australians script, Reid and Bladwell note that Eleanor Witcombe had adapted Ethel Turner's book into an eight-episode series in 1970 (p. 152), but do not mention that it had not yet been telecast or even produced. The eventual production, which first aired on ABC Television on 26 August 1973, was a ten-episode series.

Contents

* Contents derived from the Sydney, New South Wales,:Macmillan Australia , 1971 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Look Thy Last, John Martin , single work film/TV
The Delta team are called in to investigate problems in a coal mine.
(p. 28-74)
The Pigeon, Peter Finnane , single work film/TV

Billy Sloane's school principal describes him as sloppy, shoddy, unpunctual, and uncooperative, but also infuriatingly truthful. Things aren't going to well for Billy, though. It's exam time at school and his mother is dying in hospital. His father has taken in a lady 'friend' to look after him and the police are looking for his brother Jack in connection with a string of armed robberies. The only bright light in Billy's life is a sick pigeon he has found and is caring for. At least it's something he can write passionately about in his English exam. But then he's pulled out of class to be grilled about his brother by a detective. Billy's honesty is about to be put to the test.

(p. 78-104)
Paper of the People, John Dingwall , single work film/TV
John Mason challenges his father's policy for Mason family newspaper The Standard, wanting to allow roundsmen both by-lines and the opportunity to write their own stories in their own style. However, Jack Mason believes that only he has the right to decide what will or will not be printed.
(p. 107-149)
Seven Little Australians [Episode 1], Eleanor Witcombe , single work film/TV
Captain Woolcot is embarrassed by the antics of his seven mischievous children--Meg, Pip, Judy, Nell, Bunty, Baby, and 'The General'--when they interrupt a dinner given for Colonel Bryant, the Captain's new commanding officer, and his wife.
(p. 152-174)
Note:

This published script is an early version of 'Fowl for Dinner,' the first episode of the Seven Little Australians mini-series. It was written in 1970, some three years before the series was first broadcast by the ABC. While much of both the storyline and dialogue from Witcombe's original script remains in the later episode, there are also a number of alterations. These include cuts, additions, and re-ordering of scenes or parts of scenes.

Bellbird [Episode 1], Barbara Vernon , single work film/TV

Episodes one and four from the first season of Bellbird are published in Close Up: Scripts from Australian Television's Second Decade. Editors Don Reid and Frank Bladwell provide a summary of the episodes:

Episode 1: Melbourne teacher Michael Foley sells his house and leaves the city in his Rolls Royce to live in the country township of Bellbird. Lori Chandler, a librarian, has agreed to take him in as a boarder at her property, Bellbird Station. The local P and C committee members find this immoral, however, and demand she renege on her decision. Meanwhile, Glenda Chan, a young Chinese woman, is being pressured to sell her house by local real-estate agent Charles Kozane, who uses Jack Baker, an old friend of the Chans', as his cover. Baker currently tends the garden for Glenda. She is informed that not only is the garden on council land but her family has also been squatting on land originally bought by Lori Chandler's grandfather. Kozane knows that Lori won't sell the land while Glenda still lives in the house, and is attempting to convince her to take Jack's 'generous' offer.

(p. 177-209)
Note:

Includes script of episode 4.

Bellbird [Episode 4], Barbara Vernon , single work film/TV

Episodes one and four from the first season of Bellbird are published in Close Up: Scripts from Australian Television's Second Decade. Editors Don Reid and Frank Bladwell provide a summary of the episodes:

Episode 4: Michael Foley's presence as the new teacher, his living arrangements, and his car become topics of interest within the town. While Mrs Lang finds the whole situation a lot of fuss about nothing, she is nevertheless determined that her daughter will have nothing further to do with Tony Buckland. Charles Kozane invites Foley to his office to apologise for his behaviour, but then asks him to help convince Lori that she shouldn't get involved with the 'Chinese' problem. Kozane is disappointed when Foley not only insists he has no plans to get involved in anything or with anybody in this 'god-forsaken burg,' but also openly criticises his 1920s' Chicago-style methods. The episode ends with Glenda informing Lori about Kozane's attempts to get her out of the house. Lori exclaims with savage bitterness, 'Charlie Kozane! Of all the Grade A stinkers! Charlie Kozane!'

(p. 177-209)
Note:

Includes script of episode 1.

Men of the Endeavour, Anne Brooksbank , single work film/TV
Written especially for educational purposes, Men of the Endeavour aims to dramatise something of Captain James Cook's character and of the life and attitudes of the men serving under him. The action takes place as the HMS Endeavour nears the Eastern coast of New Holland. In addition to Cook, the characters also include Joseph Banks, Parkinson, a boy, two seamen, a steersmen, and other sailors.
(p. 211-224)
Note:

Includes two photographic stills from the original ABC broadcast.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Macmillan Australia , 1971 .
      Extent: 226p.
      Description: illus., ports
      Note/s:
      • Includes an introduction and explanation of technical terms.
      • Includes suggestions for discussion at the end of each screenplay.
      ISBN: 0333119676
Last amended 10 Mar 2014 10:18:55
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