The Outcasts (Australian TV series)

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

The Outcasts
The Outcasts tv play.png
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
Release
Original networkABC
Original release28 May (1961-05-28) –
10 September 1961 (1961-09-10)
Chronology
Preceded byStormy Petrel
Followed byThe Patriots

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
  • Neil Fitzpatrick as Martin O'Brien
  • Amber Mae Cecil as Sarah Willis/Redfern
  • Lyndall Barbour as Mrs Willis
  • Frank Waters as Edward Willis
  • Ben Gabriel as Dr Jamieson
  • Edward Howell as Dr D'Arcy Wentworth
  • 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
  • Al Thomas as Francis Greenway
  • Jo Coco as Surgeon Bohan
  • Madeleine Howell as woman shopper
  • Julian Flett as butler
  • Stan Polonski
  • Sophy Milo
  • Patricia Johnson
  • Joe Coco
  • Les Brooks
  • Arthur Jollow
  • Alan Graham

Episodes[]

  • Ep 1–28 May (Syd), 25 Jun (Melb) - "The New Governor" - starts in September 1808, when former convict William Redfern is admitted as a surgeon in New South Wales. He helps Governor Macquarie when the latter's wife is pregnant and clashes with Reverend Samuel Marsden. Sarah Willis wishes to marry Redfern.
  • Ep 2–4 June (Syd), 2 July (Melb) - "Bond and Free" - Macquarie and Marsden argue over whether to invite Redfern to dinner. The invitation impresses 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 Macquarie 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] Star Ron Haddrick was best known for his theatre work at the time.[9]

Reception[]

Reviewing the pilot episode the Sunday Sydney Morning Herald said "ABN 2 looks as though its done it again... I would say that it has another winner and one that might outclass its predecessor...It hasn't yet got as strong a central figure as Bligh... but, on the other hand , it set the pace and established the theme much more rapidly than the Bligh series which was a little slow to develop."[10]

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."[11]

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."[12]

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.[13]

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. 2 November 1960. p. 74. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ a b "A.B.C.-TV'S NEW HISTORICAL SERIAL". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 28, no. 42. Australia. 22 March 1961. p. 62. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "TV stars rally for heart fund". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 28, no. 52. Australia. 31 May 1961. p. 19. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ Lane, Richard (2000). The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama Volume 2. National Film and Sound Archive. pp. 121–124.
  10. ^ Marshall, Valda (4 June 1961). "Fair lady on Revue 61". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 95.
  11. ^ "Perry Masan in three live shows". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 29, no. 3. Australia. 21 June 1961. p. 19. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "The Outcasts of the A.B.C. Channel 2 Goes "Authentic"". The Bulletin. 5 August 1961. p. 12.
  13. ^ "ABN plans third historical TV serial". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 29, no. 35. Australia. 31 January 1962. p. 17. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.

External links[]

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