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- 1981 - 64 x 60 minute episodes, produced Crawford Productions for Network Ten - |
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ContentsProduction
and Broadcast Notes |
Though a less emphatic failure and with a longer run than
the previous year’s famed flop Arcade, Holiday Island nevertheless likewise emerged as a
famous failure. Like PremiseLike Each episode of The RegularsNick Tate played the leading role of Neil Scott. He managed the resort with Angela (Caz Lederman), the wife of his estranged brother. Aside from working together Neil and Angela have also started a romance. The series opened with the surprise return of Neil’s despised brother and Angela’s estranged husband, the dashing but despicable Jason (Steven Grives). As the opening sequence had indicated, shady criminal Jason is on the run from swindled associates seeking revenge. The resort island presents a safe refuge for Jason, but his return to the lives of Neil and Angela causes the fur the fly. Neil and Angela plot to eject him, but Jason schemes successfully to stay. Former Number 96 favourite Tom Oliver played the regular role of Wally Simmons. Wally 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. Like that popular Number 96 “rough diamond” character Wally had a laddish manner, lecherous Sid James-style laugh, and a liking for the ladies. However Wally seemed a little more crude than loveable rogue Jack Sellars. Wally was also shown to be a sneaky, opportunistic thief. Jason learns of Wally’s thievery, which could jeopardise his job at the resort, and uses it to blackmail him 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. Patricia Kennedy played the recurring role of the wealthy resort owner Emily Muldoon. Soon after the premiere former The Restless Years actor Peter Mochrie came in as hunky surfing instructor Tony “Zack” Zackarakis. Also joining was former Skyways regular Gaynor Martin who came in as Emily’s niece, the spoilt and mercenary Kylie MacArthur. Kylie soon teamed up with Jason for a series of devious schemes 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. [1] To populate the set with palm trees for that tropical
flavour, the designers drove around suburban 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 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 Norm Andrews (Ray Meagher). Nervous and hyperactive fellow passenger 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 to 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 chromakey 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. 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 chromakey 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.” [4] Though somewhat a decorative comedy relief support character, 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.” [5] 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.” [6] Actor Tom Oliver, already a veteran of long running roles
in Bellbird
and Number 96
and guest actor in Prisoner
and dozens of other programs, described working on “The series has the added attraction of being split between the back lot, the studio, and locations. Instead of being stuck in the studio 12 hours a day where you don’t see the light of day you get out in the fresh air.” [7] Despite Wally apparently being somewhat a reworking of Jack Sellars from Number 96, Oliver said he had other characterisations in his repertoire. “I did very little TV work for a year after Number 96 because the roles offered were too much
along the lines of Jack. So I did stage plays in Alyson Best, who played the regular role of Lisa the resort worker, initially found her character to be bland. However as she explained to TV Week, 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.” [9] 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.” [10] 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!” [11] Of their characters Kylie and Jason, Martin said that their relationship 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.” [12] 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.” [13] Drama coach on the series was former Number 96
cast member Bunney Brooke, whose work was praised
by several of the “I’m glad I got Dusty - she’s lovely. Her character is developing well, thanks to our wonderful drama coach Bunney Brooke. She’s really pulling characters out of us.” [14] Gaynor Martin also described Brooke’s input as invaluable: “I feel I’m learning so much, every day offers something new.” [15] Guest StarsThe 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. Initial guest star John Blackman also returned for additional guest appearances as Russell Parker as the series continued. 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. A Ten spokesman hopefully declared that “Laurie’s role is part of an attempt to get credibility. And there will be similar guest roles coming up. [16] The Series ContinuesOngoing storylines focused on the Neil, Angela, Jason love triangle, and Jason and Kylie’s sly schemes and their love affair. In November 1981 Skyways regular
character George Tippett, played by Brian James,
was revived for a regular role on This transfer of a character between Australian dramas came several months after the successful switch of Bill Stalker’s character Peter Fanelli from Skyways to Cop Shop. In both cases the transfers were between Crawford Productions programs although this time the character would return on a different network. 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.” [17] 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.” [18] Some years later James would return to Prisoner in the more pivotal role of Stan Dobson, a benevolent prison officer nearing retirement. An Icy ReactionThe biggest joke about This set with its small swimming pool, hotel entrance,
bar, al fresco cafe and plenty of verandas and palm trees sat as a tropical
oasis in the grounds of Channel Ten’s Much discussion about This joke is predicated on the belief that a show’s production conditions and filming locations must necessarily be congruent with the fictional setting in the story, even though really the only program that would pass such a test might be The Box (a series produced in a television studio that was indeed set in a television station). Long hours, hard work, lots of lines, multiple costume changes, hot studio lights, location changes, and sometimes uncomfortable clothing and conditions must surely be a common occurrence for any regular television actor. Nevertheless chilly In the 2002 television special The Best of Aussie Drama which mostly focused on Australian soap operas, John Blackman recounted his work on the series. He said 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. [20] Rather ironically, when the
apparently jinxed production had sent a crew to 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.” [22] However this 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. A total of 64 one hour episodes of The Stars ReflectGaynor Martin said she was saddened but not shattered by news of the cancelation. “It will be sad to no longer work so closely with all those great people, but, thankfully, I have something else to look forward to.” [25] Indeed the popular star’s wedding to Glenn Wheatley was just around the corner. Soon after that she would appear in new serial Sons and Daughters. Meanwhile former Arcade actor
Olga Tamara, who had joined “I was disappointed when Luckily for Tamara a regular part as a Cop Shop
detective was waiting for her when 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 Tate explained he was in some position to be choosy with his roles. “It’s not as though I am starving. An actor working consistently in a soapie earns good money. However there is not really the artistic pleasure there.” Tate also reported that “It wasn’t that it was a bad show. At its best it was as
good as any Australian soapie. Unfortunately, the quality was not consistent.
Credibility was its main problem. It was meant to be a tropical adventure on
a sunny island, but, because of pre-publicity, everyone knew it was on a
suburban backlot. I also believe you cannot churn
out two hours of quality television a week. As far as production is concerned
there is no time to polish the product… Overall Tate opined that it was only the massive group effort of the cast that made the show work at all. “The job became like a marriage… the marriage just didn’t work. I was totally committed to the show. I tried to make the best of it. The final result, however, was disappointing.” [28] |
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Page originally uploaded October 2000 Last updated 22 May 2010 |
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