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- 1981 - 64 x 60 minute episodes, produced Crawford Productions for Network Ten - |
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ContentsProduction
and Broadcast Notes |
PREMISELike REGULAR CAST AND CHARACTERSNick Tate played the leading role of Neil Scott, manager of the resort along with his brother’s estranged wife Angela (Caz Lederman). The series opened with the surprise return of Neil’s despised long-estranged brother and Angela’s ex - the dashing but despicable Jason (Steven Grives). Jason causes the fur to fly with his surprise return into the lives of Neil and Angela who have begun a romance. As the opening sequence had indicated, shady criminal Jason is on the run from swindled associates seeking revenge, and seeks refuge on the resort island. Neil and Angela plot to eject him, but Jason schemes successfully to stay. Former Number 96 favourite Tom Oliver here plays the regular role of Wally Simmons who captains the local launch that ferries guests from the mainland to the island. As with many of Oliver’s portrayals, this was basically a rerun of Jack Sellars, his popular Number 96 “rough diamond” character with laddish manner, lecherous Sid James-style laugh, and a liking for the ladies. This time however, the character seemed rather more crude than loveable rogue Jack Sellars, and Wally was also shown to be a sneaky, opportunistic thief. Jason learns of this thievery which could jeopardise his job at the resort and uses it to blackmail Wally into serving as his spy and general helper. Other actors in regular roles included Alyson Best as a polite and attractive resort worker Lisa Kendall. Frank Wilson played Banjo Paterson, a crusty sea-captain type who ran a junk shop from an old shipwreck on the beach. Former children’s television presenter Marilyn Mayo was bubbly bar manager Dusty Davis, and respected actress Patricia Kennedy was resort owner, the wealthy Emily Muldoon. Soon after the premiere former The Restless Years actor Peter Mochrie came in as hunky surfing instructor Tony “Zack” Zackarakis, and ex-Skyways regular Gaynor Martin joined as Emily’s niece, the spoilt and mercenary Kylie MacArthur. Kylie soon teamed up with Jason for a series of devious schemes - but mostly they plotted to get their hands on Emily’s fortune. Meanwhile a subtle romance between Zack and Lisa brewed. THE SETA key feature of the production was the purpose-built outdoors island resort set specially constructed in the grounds of the Channel Ten studios in Melbourne. The set was built at a cost of $300,000 and while its designer Brad Ross estimated such a job would normally take several months, there was only three weeks available between starting the design sketches until taping was to begin. To meet the tight schedule construction took place day and night in a race against time to get frontages built and dressed and banana and palm trees planted before production started. At times work was just one hour ahead of schedule. To populate the set with palm trees for that tropical flavour, the designers drove around suburban Melbourne looking for date palms growing in people’s gardens. They’d approach the homeowner and make an offer, and about 90 per cent of people approached agreed to sell their trees. Replacement plants were even provided to fill the gaps left by the uprooted palms. [1] Each episode of There were obvious benefits of producing the show largely in Melbourne. Much Australian television drama production had occurred there over the previous fifteen years and there was a strong infrastructure in place. However those Melbourne based productions had invariably been Melbourne set as well; there had been no real need to redress the temperate but sometimes chilly urban centre as Tropicana. The obvious problem was Melbourne’s changeable weather and propensity for grey overcast skies. To address this set designer Brad Ross utilised extensive canopies and overhangs on the set so that on grey and cloudy days cameras could cover the scenes without shooting the sky. “We can light any part of the set to give that heat feeling, but we can’t light the sky,” Ross told TV Week. [2] THE PREMIEREThe series opener starts promisingly enough with Jason
just managing to make it on board the launch destined for Also on board the launch is the mysterious and sinister-looking Norm Andrews (Ray Meagher), while the nervous and hyperactive Russell Parker (John Blackman) is in a state having accidentally lost his cache of tranquillisers and anti-depressants overboard as the ship set sail. Uptight Russell works for the company in charge of advertising for the island; island management are unhappy with their copy so anxious Russell is sent for a visit to smooth things over and to, in perhaps a bit of sly irony in the script, sample first hand the island’s wonders so he can adequately create an advertisement that truly captures the resort’s particular qualities. Unfortunately the island itself fails to calm Russell’s jumpy nature and his depended-on pills and potions are not available on the island itself (though, it would seem, they would come in handy for several of the guests and resort workers). Russell’s increasingly panicked attempts to restock his supply form a hopefully amusing gag running through the episode. Somewhat ironically Russell the humorously inept copywriter seems to speak in dialogue apparently designed for use in the show’s promotional trailers. Among his lines that could readily have made it into the program’s advertisements comes this exchange: Russell: “I’ve seen violence! I’ve seen
physical and emotional collapses! I’ve seen theft! And you talk about peace?!
All I can see is the entire place is like a lunatic asylum!” Neil Scott: “Relax! Tomorrow’s going to
be better.” In any event Neil takes Russell on a travelogue type tour of the island which includes plenty of appealing vistas. This sequence includes lots of picturesque footage - clearly one of the supposed attractions offered by the series - and serves to introduce viewers to things. Many shots were clearly taken in Queensland, although Neil and Russell’s unexpected meeting with Banjo was taped on the distinctive orange cliffs of Melbourne’s Black Rock overlooking Port Phillip bay. The location switch is not too jarring; however the Chroma Key vista of sparkling surf seen outside Banjo’s junk shop hardly looks convincing. Aside from Russell’s comedy scenes there is plenty of drama and intrigue as well. The tale of David and his high-maintenance mistress Trish works well, and is well acted. Jason discerns that David is willing to lavish his considerable fortune on Trish who is desperate to shift from modelling to being a serious actress, so poses as a film producer in a newly hatched get rich quick con. Norm Andrews is revealed as a private investigator hired by Shirley Owens to secretly monitor David’s activities. Unfortunately the intense enmity shown toward Jason by Neil and Angela quickly plunges the show into dark melodrama at an early stage. The mix of light comedy, sparkling scenery and bathing beauties, and then scheming and tortured melodrama seems like one-too-many contrasting elements this early on, giving the show an eccentric tone. Jason and Neil’s portrayers Steven Grives and Nick Tate are the program’s standout cast members and their characters are well acted and appealing, even if the black-and-white depiction of villain versus saint seems rather arbitrary. It also seems difficult to believe they are brothers with the lack of any physical resemblance whatsoever and their differing accents. The script’s attempt to explain the discrepancy in their speech - Jason’s clipped London lilt versus Neil’s broad and laconic Australian drawl - hardly rings true. Most unfortunate for a series hoping to capitalise on stunning scenery is the cheap videotaped look of the show which hardly showcases the beach vistas well. The interior sets look cheap and bland - this is hardly an inviting or luxurious looking resort - and the Chroma Key tropical views would fool no one. PRODUCTION CONTINUESStarting episode four former The Restless Years actor Peter Mochrie appeared in the ongoing role of Zack, the island’s entertainment officer. The popular actor explained to TV Week that “it’s a great role because there is a lot of action… I’m sick of playing mind games with actors on sets. Zack’s unpredictable and you can laugh at him.” Though somewhat a decorative comedy relief support chararacter, Mochrie nonetheless approached the role of Zack seriously. “I went into the Greek community and talked to a lot of Greek guys. I took a lot of notes about how they act and talk and so on. There are a lot of Greeks in Australia and I hope they’ll watch and identify with the character. I’ll throw a few things in so they know I’m not fooling.” [3] Mochrie had become a popular favourite through his role as swimmer and womaniser Rick Moran in The Restless Years, but the role had also earned him a “pretty boy” tag. “I often get cast as the good-looking guy, but I think I have a lot more to give as an actor than that. It’s hard to overcome, so I’ve got to take character roles and that’s one reason I took the role of Zack, because he’s got more character than Rick had.” [4] Actor Tom Oliver, already a veteran of long running roles
in Bellbird
and Number 96
and who had guested in Prisoner
and dozens of other programs, described working on Alyson Best, who played the regular role of Lisa the resort worker, initially found her character to be bland, but things developed as the series progressed. “The character is getting much more interesting, especially since Gaynor (Martin) joined because the two characters are playing off each other. And, as we get along so well off camera, we can work on those scenes. Early in the series there was no one for Lisa to play off and she was simply nice, but now it’s starting to change… she’s getting a bit tougher.” Best had praise for several of her other co-workers too. “It’s really only in this show that I’ve realised there is so much I can learn from the cast. Steven Grives is a beautiful actor. I’m getting a lot of help from Nick Tate, Steven, Frank, Marilyn… all of them. Gaynor has been a great help too. She went through the mill in Skyways and we’ve been having great talks about how she coped with it all. We work really well together.” [7] Gaynor Martin meanwhile described her working relationship with Steven Grives, who played Jason. “He’s such a capable actor with a wealth of experience and the thought of me the beginner just plodding along matched with him made me nervous, but he was marvellous. He helped me in every way he could. If he had a spare half hour he’d rehearse with me and show me a new way of approaching the scene. He really is my mentor. He’s the one who taught me to be so nasty!” [8] Of their characters Kylie and Jason, Martin said that their’s was “a partnership of evil […] a lustful relationship with no illusions about love. He wants my aunt’s money so he can be rich, and I want it so I can get off the island.” Martin’s portrayal certainly proved convincing in some quarters. When scenes of Kylie and a former boyfriend smoking marijuana were screened Martin reported that several viewers were outraged. Her relatives “copped most of the flak” while Martin herself told TV Week that “I think it’s wonderful! I love it. Actually I was getting more bitter and twisted playing the ever-nice ever-smiling Mandy in Skyways.” [9] Drama coach on the series was former Number 96
cast member Bunney Brooke, whose work was praised by several of the GUEST STARSInitial guest star John Blackman returned for additional guest appearances as Russell Parker as the series continued. The long list of guest stars on the series included Judy Nunn, Rowena Wallace, Tracey Mann, Chantal Contouri, Elaine Lee, Neil Fitzpatrick, Jeannie Drynan, Bunney Brooke, Olga Tamara, Arna Maria Winchester, Sue Jones, Liddy Clarke, magician Ross Skiffington, Terry McDermott, George Mallaby as a navy captain, Christine Amor, Joe James, Rob Steele, Tommy Dysart, Alex Menglet as a Russian tennis champion, Chelsea Brown, Tom Richards, Denise Cusack, Lesley Baker, Noel Trevarthen, Peter Kowitz, Gus Mercurio, and Lisa Crittenden. Former Skyways regulars Tina Bursill and Joanne Samuel also guested on the series. Ongoing storylines focused on the Neil, Angela, Jason love triangle, and Jason and Kylie’s sly schemes and their love affair. Actor Harry Lawrence guest starred in a horseracing and gambling themed episode as Archie Stephens, Angela’s returning father. A few weeks later he was back for storylines further examining their family tensions. At around the same time news reporter Laurie Oakes made a guest appearance as himself in one episode. In the story, Oakes, who was then part of the Channel Ten news team, showed up to report on the suspicious heart attack suffered by a visiting senator. “Laurie’s role is part of an attempt to get credibility. And there will be similar guest roles coming up,” a Ten spokesman hopefully declared. [12] In November 1981 Skyways regular
character George Tippett, played by Brian James, was revived for a regular
role on James initially resisted returning to the character he had already played for two years, telling TV Week that “I’d always disliked George. I thought he was a pompous idiot. It wasn’t until the end of the series that I realised he was a very lonely and vulnerable old man. And since Skyways, a lot of people have approached me in the street to say they sympathised with old George and liked him. Because the public’s reaction has been so good, I decided to bring him out of hibernation. I think he’ll be the same dottery old man he was in Skyways. I don’t think they’ll change him at all.” Among James’ acting jobs after the cancellation of Skyways had been a role as a doctor in Prisoner. “I was only in the series three weeks, but it was good to meet those fantastic actresses.” [13] Some years later James would return to Prisoner in the more pivotal role of Stan Dobson, a benevolent prison officer nearing retirement. REACTIONThe biggest joke about Much discussion about In the 2002 television special The Best of Aussie Drama which mostly focused on Australian soap operas, John Blackman recounted that, as a comedian rather than a serious actor, he kept blowing his lines in the episode’s cliff-hanger scene where Russell stumbles out of the bar late at night to discover Trish (Rebecca Gilling) floating face-down in the swimming pool. Poor Rebecca Gilling had to keep floating in the freezing water until Blackman pulled himself together to enact the dramatic discovery. Another scene in the premiere episode featuring Rebecca Gilling and Steven Grives was filmed on such a chilly morning that the actors’ icy breath was clearly visible on screen. Several months into the program’s run the frosty vapour emitted by Angela Scott in a poolside dialogue scene had more to do with the cold Melbourne conditions than Angela’s chilly reaction to her returning father. Meanwhile when guest star June Salter later taped her scenes of a carefree night-time hula dance the camera had to avoid her feet which were ensconced in a warm and cosy pair of boots: it was 2.00 a.m. in the middle of winter and six degrees in the night air. Despite the indignity of having to suck ice cubes between takes to ensure her icy breath would not be seen, when the episode went to air the scene had been cut - for reasons of time claimed the producers. [15] Rather ironically, when the apparently jinxed production had sent a crew to Tangalooma, Queensland for a week of location shooting, they encountered persistent rain on all but one scheduled day of filming. And inclement weather wasn’t the only problem that made it into press reports about the show. TV Week magazine’s On the Grapevine gossip column hardly made a good impression with its report that “On the first day’s shooting 20 scenes were scheduled, but it’s claimed they only managed to get four in the can.” [16] In describing the program Hilary Kingsley reported that “on most days the carefully planted but soon wilting palm trees were being blown back at 45° angles across grey skies. The swimming pool developed waves and the actresses, trying to look relaxed and alluring in bikinis, were blue and rigid with cold.” [17] However this all does seem to be somewhat an exaggeration: the tropical-resort set, swimming pool and palm trees lived on to be reused as the Lassiter’s Hotel, one of the main Neighbours locales since 1986. Neighbours is hardly known for looking like Iceland, although in a concession to some level of realism the addition of a small footbridge at least converted the set’s swimming pool into a decorative pond. Despite its reputation, the series did have its fans. In
the 3 October 1981 edition of TV Week two fan
letters praising the series were published. R. Saab of PRODUCTION AND BROADCAST NOTESThe first episode of In Australia the television ratings season ends late
November and most popular first run programs are taken off for the summer to
be replaced by repeats of old programs and the stockpiled episodes of
unpopular imports and previously-cancelled shows. By the end of 1981 as the
popular shows went off air to be replaced by some of 1981’s low-raters such
as the new John Stanton police drama Bellamy and
the male prison drama Punishment,
Holiday Island was not taken off. Meanwhile former Arcade actor
Olga Tamara, who had joined After the series ended Nick Tate expressed boredom with
his continued “nice guy” roles. “The problem with Neil was that he was just
too nice. I find playing goodies a bit boring. Since A total of 64 one hour episodes of |
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Page originally uploaded October 2000 Last updated 13 September 2009 |
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