The Rovers was an Australian ocean-based family adventure television show originally screened from 21 August 1969 until 12 June 1970 and was broadcast on the 0-Ten network, the precursor of Network Ten
| The Rovers | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Roger Mirams |
| Starring | Rowena Wallace Edward Hepple Noel Trevarthen Grant Seiden |
| Theme music composer | Tommy Leonetti music Barry Crocker / Peter Flanagan Lyrics |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 39 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Bill Harmon |
| Producer | Don Cash |
| Running time | 30 minutes per episode |
| Original release | |
| Network | The 0-10 Network |
| Release | 21 August 1969 – 12 June 1970 |
Synopsis
editProduced by NLT Productions, executive producer was Bill Harmon and producer Don Cash, who would become famous for creating Number 96. The series was created by Roger Mirams and starred Rowena Wallace, Edward Hepple, Noel Trevarthen and child actor Grant Seiden.
The storylines revolve around the adventures of the crew of the ‘Pacific Lady’, an island schooner owned by Captain Sam McGill (or ‘Cap’ for short), played by Hepple, Bob Wild (a freelance photographer) played by Trevarthen and Rusty Collins, a wildlife journalist (played by Wallace).
Thirty-nine episodes of 30 minutes each were produced on colour film, with an eye to distributing in overseas markets the way Skippy the Bush Kangaroo was. Writers included Kenneth Cook, Michael Latimer, Ron McLean, Michael Wright, Ralph Peterson and Rosamund Waring.
Ron Randell, who was in Australia performing in stage plays, guest starred in some episodes.[1]
Cast
editMain
edit- Rowena Wallace as Rusty Collins
- Edward Hepple as Captain Sam McGill
- Noel Trevarthen as Bob Wild
- Grant Seiden
Guests
edit- Benita Collings as Margaret Walsh
- Brian Moll as Dr Wright
- Dawn Lake as Dawn Tobin / Mrs. Drury
- Jack Thompson as Kenneth Baker / Bill (2 episodes)
- Kat Loader as Constanow / Tony / Fisherman
- Kerry McGuire as Dorrie (1 episode)
- Lionel Long
- Reg Gorman as Policeman (1 episode)
- Ron Randell
- Slim De Grey as Terry Claffey
- Tony Hughes
- Vincent Gil as Biker / Bert
Production
editA number of episodes were written by Ron McLean[2] and Michael Wright.[3]
Notes
edit- ^ Vagg, Stephen (10 August 2019). "Unsung Aussie Actors – Ron Randell: A Top Twenty". Filmink.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (5 December 2021). "Forgotten Australian TV Writers: Ron McLean". Filmink.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (29 August 2023). "Forgotten Australian Television Plays: Boy with Banner, Objector and Watch It". Filmink.
References
edit- Classic Australian Television - The Rovers accessed 26 April 2009
- Memorable TV The TV Shows (1970's) The Rovers accessed 26 April 2009