Celebrating the night Australian TV lost its virginity

Forty years ago today, Australian TV lost its innocence.

Tonight, at the Star Bar in Sydney's CBD, we were there to celebrate!


With Vivienne Garrett (aka as Rose Goldolfus-Meyers)


With TV historian and friend Andrew Mercado, who is holding a framed photo
of Ron "Herb" Shand, Mate-of-the-Month in the Kings Cross Whisper.

New Number 96 DVD cover art!

Next March, you can celebrate the 40th anniversary of Australia's classic TV soap opera, "Number 96", with a new boxed set of DVDs, presented by Andrew Mercado and released through Umbrella Entertainment. It's already up for pre-order at JB Hi-Fi. (Not a bad way to secure your copy, as not too many sets made their way to shop shelves last time.)

As you can see from the above proposed cover art, the infamous Mad Bomber episodes are a feature, but there'll also be discs of early b/w episodes. Full details of the episodes to be included are HERE. Thanks for the heads-up, JB Hi-Fi.

Darren Gray interviews Andrew Mercado & Ian McLean

"Darren Gray Down Under" on CTV1, 1995.

Wow, what a surprise to find this interview about Aussie TV soap opera, Number 96, on Youtube today! CTV1 was a community access television station out of Redfern, in inner-suburban Sydney. The producer at CTV1 was Joy Hruby. I've never had my own copy of this interview on video (thanks to Australia Post x two attempts), and yet here it is on Youtube! While my book proposal continued to hit brick walls, Andrew successfully launched "Super Aussie Soaps" a few years later. Thanks for uploading the interview, Darren Gray!


Frame grab features Darren Gray, Ian McLean and Andrew Mercado.

Ah, by the way, the trivia question I missed in the interview:

Louise Howitt portrayed Pamela Marshall, the estranged wife of Andy (Peter Adams), who has kept the birth of his child a secret - until Tanya Schnolskevitska (Natalie Mosco) interferes. Pam overdosed with pills in a desperate attempt to take Andy away from Tanya, but her life was saved.

Finally, more Number 96 DVDs are coming!

Thanks to my ol' pal, Andrew Mercado, there is news of another boxed set of 32 "Number 96" episodes to celebrate the upcoming 40th anniversary of the show next year. Thanks Umbrella Entertainment and Andrew!

Due to space constraints on the DVD, Andrew has hand-picked the most important sixteen episodes from the 21 episodes from the b/w era that remain in existence. He promises nothing important will be omitted. As Andrew says on his website, "many of you asked for, and will now get, the first ever episodes. Every colour episode (from 585 – 1218) has been saved by the National Film and Sound Archive but tragically, nearly every black and white episode before then was lost, taped over or destroyed. Just 21 episodes remain from 1972-1974 which means most of the gritty groundbreaking stuff seems lost forever."

Disk 1 will commence with the first three episodes, that were originally broadcast together in Sydney on premiere night.

EPISODES 1, 2, 3. (First aired in Sydney: 13/3/1972) Mark Eastwood (Martin Harris) and his eight-month pregnant wife, Helen (Briony Behets), move into Flat 4 of Number 96. Dorrie and Herb Evans (Pat McDonald & Ron Shand) introduce themselves to the new neighbours. When Helen rejects her frustrated husband's sexual advances, Mark turns to young Rose Godolfus (Vivienne Garrett) for consolation. In Flat 6, actress Janie Somers (Robyn Gurney) worries about her meeting with an American producer, Alex Lederer (Harry Harris). Mark rescues Rose from a sleazy bikie, Cliff Stevens (Vincent Gil). Helen's condition after her tragic fall causes concern and the building's residents are generous in their offers of support. Flat 5's Bruce Taylor (Paul Weingott) plans his latest wild party. Episode #3 was a new version of the November 1971 pilot, reshot to blend with the other instalments. In Melbourne, the first two episodes were aired back-to-back on 14/3/72. Channel 0 elected to black out the lower half of the screen during Mark's attempted seduction of his wife. When repeated in a daytime timeslot, commencing 4/2/74 at 1.30 pm in Sydney, the episodes were aired in 30-minute segments. The "Janie/Alex" plotline was novelised for the 1972 Arkon paperback, Janie Stagestruck, while the "Mark/Helen/Rose" plotline was novelised in 1973 as The Wayward Husband.

4. (14/3) Dorrie, the self-proclaimed "conserge" of Number 96, continues her relentless interference into the lives of the building's tenants. Bruce's flatmate, Don Finlayson (Joe Hasham) admits that he sabotaged their latest party in order to pacify Dorrie. Flat 8's Lucy Sutcliffe (Elisabeth Kirkby) begins her job as manager at the new laundrette, but her day is cut short by electrical problems. Alf Sutcliffe (James Elliott) isn’t too happy that Lucy has got herself a job. Bev Houghton (Abigail) is thrilled with her nude shoot. Meanwhile, in Flat 7, Vera Collins (Elaine Lee) is being plagued by phantom phone calls.

5. (15/3) Vera hosts a party to celebrate Mark's good news about Helen and their baby daughter. Meanwhile, Janie and her flatmate, Bev, do their own celebrating: a double date with Alex and Charles (Max Osbiston). Delicatessen owner Aldo Godolfus (Johnny Lockwood) is unable to keep his daughter at home. In desperation, he tries to arrange a suitable match for Rose "just as they did in the old country", but she is unimpressed with his selection, Dr Julian Myers (Lew Luton). Vera advises Peter Harvey (Peter Guest) about future business ventures through a card-reading.

6. (16/3) How will Mark break the shocking news about the baby to Helen? Dorrie is eager to spread the gossip. Alf is bickering with Lucy again; he wants to return home to England, but his wife is determined to stay. Bev flirts with both Don and Alex and each responds in quite different ways. Helen is suffering from catatonic withdrawal. Rose expresses her true feelings for Mark, but Aldo overhears.

7. (17/3) Maggie Cameron (Bettina Welch) drops by her love nest as lover Bruce tries to hide his boyfriend Don. Dorrie makes it her special project to discover who is occupying the vacant shop in front of Flat 1.

8. (20/3) Maggie and Bruce find their time well occupied when they return to Number 96, but Maggie has to be home by eleven o'clock to avoid arousing the suspicions of her husband, Victor (Owen Weingott). Bev flirts with Don but can’t figure out why he becomes so uncomfortable. This plotline was novelised for the 1973 Arkon paperback, Bev & Bruce & Maggie & Don. Note that the actors who played Maggie's husband and lover were, in reality, father and son.



Disk 2:

9. (21/3/1972) Dorrie discovers a chemist is opening in the building. Ethel Brinkman (Jenny Lee), the daughter of Alf and Lucy, returns from Newcastle in a desperate plea for help.

10. (22/3) The mysterious caller finally reveals his identity to Vera. It is her estranged husband, Harry (Norman Yemm), and he's not very friendly.

13. (27/3) Dorrie condescends to patronise Lucy's laundrette, at least on a trial basis, to give Lucy a boost. However, two young hippies (Chard Hayward and Cathy Jones) have no inhibitions about using the laundrette at all.

31. (21/4) Sonia feels that Gordon is using her and she forces the issue with him. Herb's solicitor, Mr Calthrop (Ken Fraser), oversees the contractual agreement that makes Herb and Harry partners. Maggie invites Cliff up to Flat 5 for a modelling audition. Vera and Harry try to conceal an intoxicated Herb from Dorrie.

33. (25/4) Chad Farrell (Ronne Arnold) and Sonia share an evening out and he confesses his true feelings for her. However, Sonia tries to convince him that she has been in love with Gordon for two years. Aldo leaves Julian and Rose alone, but will he find out that they actually played Monopoly? Alf and Lucy's 30th wedding anniversary is threatened by an impromptu drinking session with George Baker (Barry Donnelly) and Harry. Harry's bigotry reaches breaking point when he encounters Chad on the stairs.

34. (26/4) Bev tries unsuccessfully to face reality; Don is no longer the man with whom she first fell in love; ie. she reacts badly when Don tells her that he is a homosexual.

35. (27/4) Don is surprisingly sympathetic towards Bev when she apologises for her previous outburst. Maggie has a surprise for Don and Bev, as does Bev's mother, Claire Houghton (Thelma Scott). Sonia meets Gordon’s wife, Sylvia Vansard (Shirley Cameron). A development of this plotline was novelised for the 1973 Arkon paperback, Who Killed Sylvia Vansard?

450. (1/2/1974) Don's Aunt Amanda, the Baroness von Pappenburg (Carol Raye), takes Flo Patterson (Bunney Brooke), plus Dorrie and Herb, to her fancy dress farewell party, but Herb gets himself arrested. Claire vows to have her revenge over her daughter's death. Amanda resolves Herb's court ordeal. Lucy is uneasy about Mr Poreski (Tim Eliott) and his men, but Alf is determined to tell all on the "Names in the News" television show. Harry wants Vera to have an abortion. This is only surviving episode from 1974; and it's hilarious!



Disk 3:

832. (27/8/1975) Jaja Gibson (Anya Seleky), and her latest escapades, infuriate Grace "Prim" Primrose (Pamela Gibbons). Norma Whittaker (Sheila Kennelly) can't understand the new mystery.

833. (28/8) Dudley Butterfield (Chard Hayward) has plans that amaze the Sutcliffes. Maggie confronts Jaja.

834. (29/8) Reg and Edie MacDonald (Mike Dorsey & Wendy Blacklock) receive a nasty shock. Roma Godolfus (Philippa Baker) loses her patience with Aldo.

835. (1/9) Roma speaks harshly to Aldo. Flo's behaviour baffles Dorrie.

836. (2/9) Reg and Edie are unsure how to handle a situation. Maggie has strong advice for Vera.

837. (3/9) Flo is desperately unhappy, while it seems that Vera has overplayed her hand.

838. (4/9) Maggie has infuriated Warwick Thompson (Kit Talor). Some unlikely visitors call on Reg at one o'clock in the morning. A bomb is hidden in a box of olives.

839. (5/9) The new Flo raises Dorrie's suspicions that her friend is shoplifting. Lucy and Alf think they have solved their house-hunting troubles: they decide to swap flats with Don. Prim sends Miles Cooper (Scott Lambert) on an errand downstairs. Les finds a note about a bomb in Number 96 and sounds a warning to all the residents, but will he have enough time?

Disk 4:

840, 841. (8/9/1975) The explosion in the deli has claimed the lives of four Number 96 residents. Alf is worried about Lucy and the baby, while Vera turns to Warwick for comfort. Norma is in a critical condition. Nigel Morgan (John Allen) takes over and Maggie is determined to solve a new mystery. Two episodes were screened back-to-back to create a sixty-minute presentation. Episode #840 was later incorporated into an episode of The Golden Years of Television entitled "Salute to Australian Soaps".

842. (9/9) Arnold Feather (Jeff Kevin) is shocked by a visit from Aldo's daughter, Rose Myers (Vivienne Garrett). Don has some plans afoot.

843. (10/9) Dudley runs into trouble, while Reg has some explaining to do to Edie. Lucy discovers the truth about the tragic bomb blast.

844. (11/9) Alf blames himself for his awful mistake. Dorrie has a mystery to solve.

845. (12/9) Mystery continues to surround Maggie. Jack Sellars (Tom Oliver) lends a hand to trap the bomber. What is the truth behind Flo's strange secret? Lucy learns the truth about the blast.

846. (15/9) Dudley's reaction to Jaja's adventures thrill her. Arnold makes a noble sacrifice. Jack sets a trap for the killer.

847. (16/9) Dorrie is not sure if she approves of the changes in Flo. Some news brings out a strange reaction in Liz Chalmers (Margaret Laurence).

Be watching for this boxed set in March 2012!


"Bomb? What bomb?"

On finding Abigail

A few weeks ago, one of Australia's "current affairs" programs, "Today Tonight", tracked down the now-elusive Australian icon, Abigail (aka "Number 96"'s first Bev Houghton), who had holed herself up in a disused country church building after being flooded out in Victoria's share of 2011: The Year of Natural Disasters.

Mmmmm. None of these reports by the TV tabloid shows ("Today Tonight" and similar, opposition "A Current Affair", or was it the other way around? - the shows are almost interchangeable sometimes) have lived up to their mysterious and frenetic hype. It’s crazy when the “What dark secrets of Aussie TV will be revealed this time?” segments seem shorter than the oft-repeated promos that lead up to them. I guess it gives us a respite to the other TT and ACA exposes that often turn out to be extended advertisements for their networks' latest dancing, cooking or weight-loss lifestyle shows.

One of Abigail's defenders on Andrew Mercado's website (article linked here; see also TV Tonight) was Sheila Kennelly, better known to "Number 96" fans as Norma Whittaker. Well said, Mrs Whitt! And great to see her online! I love how the “Number 96″ cast continue to look out for each other in so many ways. When I was interviewing many of the cast in the 90s, it was frustrating that the anecdotes of those groundbreaking years at Channel Ten were mostly warm and affectionate, not the nasty stuff that sells books (and editors need for getting the marketing people on side).

It’s disappointing that Abigail has chosen to retire from showbiz. Her performances were always compelling to watch, whether selling B&D Rollerdoors and Amber tiles, or flirting with Don Finlayson (below) , Jack Sellars and Alvin Purple. I hope she can again slip into her self-chosen countryside obscurity as/if she so wishes.

Ian and Andrew - Gee!

Some days it really is like I've stumbled into the Twilight Zone, and an alternate universe Ian is lucky enough to have an whirlwind adventure or celebrity encounter that seems totally surreal when compared to my usual life.

I was heading into the city today, simply because I'd had to forfeit my usual comic-buying jaunt on Thursday night to attend Night #2 the annual Year 6 musical. Suddenly, a Twitter message came through, reminding me that TV celebrity Andrew Günsberg's "365: A Year of Self Portraits" exhibition was coming to a close... today! I had intended trying to get to this, not really realising that I'd totally run out of days! Had I not already been on a train, I probably would have just admitted defeat.

My trusty iPhone helped me triangulate on the location of MART Gallery in Surry Hills - and off I went. A cheery Andrew G greeted us warmly as each browser entered the gallery. Many new arrivals seemed to be old acquaintances. Typically, Andrew was setting up his beloved, overworked camera to take a new self portrait!

Although he and I have a mutual friend (in Andrew Mercado), I'd never had the chance to meet Andrew G before. His long-running hosting stint on "Australian Idol" makes it seem like he's a part of everyone's furniture (esp. that flickering, rectangular piece in the corner!) I'd been closely following his progress on his "365 Days" photographic project on Flickr, as I'd started my own version (not self portraits, though) just a few weeks before his.

The exhibition was great! Compared to the demanding work involved in Andrew's year of self-portraits (lugging a huge camera, lenses and two lights all over the world), my own "365 Photos" project now feels like a bit of a cheat. I simply snapped off a pic a day on my trusty iPhone. (I was thrilled with the result, and it's fun looking back at a year of memories. Good self discipline, too.) But it was great meeting Andrew at the exhibition today.



I was excited that the very first photo I'd seen of his on the Internet - Day 91, of Andrew encountering an ancient television camera at the ABC studios - was still available for sale. Yeeha! I ended up selecting two smaller prints as well: Day 29 (a casually-dressed Andrew leaping into the air) and Day 120, working with musician James Morrison on an episode of "Australian Idol".

Saying my farewells to Andrew, Mel and little Pippet (the Gallery's resident canine, who loved the smell of Jack on my trouser hems), I wandered off to have a late lunch, and to wait until the exhibition closed and I could collect my purchases straight off the wall. While munching on my sandwich, I began to wonder if I should have asked to take my own photo of Andrew, or with Andrew - or whether taking pictures in a gallery of photos was simply not the done thing. Just then, I happened to notice that Andrew had sent an image to his Twitter account, via his Blackberry, and when I opened the shot... I was right in the middle of it!


Click on this thumbnail to see the larger Twitpic.

Certainly not my most flattering angle. Had I known the photo was being taken, I'd have surely sucked in my gut!

But the fun was not over! As I was preparing to upload this blog entry, Andrew posted to his own blog the self-portrait that he was taking as I entered the gallery today. Lo and behold, I'm in that one, too, just over gallery owner Mel's shoulder!


Pippet, Andrew Günsberg and Mel (and I!) at the Mart Gallery.

FLASHBACK:


Day 125 of my own "365 Photos" project - 12 September 2009.

Omigosh! I only just found out that Andrew G's wife, Israeli model/actress Noa Tishby, was MACO Corporal Amanda Cole in "Star Trek: Enterprise"!

Homework for Tristan!

On Monday night, I will be attending the fifth and final night of "Build Your Online Profile", a course presented by author/filmmaker Tristan Bancks, at the Sydney Writers' Centre in Milson's Point.

And we have homework! We are to present "a plan for our online future", by answering three key questions in five minutes.

1. Where do you want your online profile to be? Show us the kind of profile that you want to establish and why. If you like you can show us examples of people/companies who are already there now.

2. How will you get there? Priorities? And when?

3. How have your plans changed or developed since the beginning of the course?








An evolution of my web presence.

My strengths/interests are teacher-librarianship and TV historian. Both present opportunities for imparting knowledge and skills to others, but my current online presence is fragmented across many small sites. My recent 365 Photos project reminded me of the importance of established routines for blogging, to keep things current and fresh, and to bring browsers in for return visits. Site Meter indicates that Google Images searches of photographic material on the World Wide Web continues to be an important drawcard to blogs.

However, since starting this course, I have already:

* Bought a domain name, www.number96.tv.

* Revitalized my Twitter page - and added "Facebook" and "Twitter" buttons to my blog.

* Designed an "umbrella" webpage that will unite all my random web presences.

* Finally signed up as a channel owner on Youtube.

* Created a user profile for Creative Commons music at ccMixter.

* Created my first book trailer on Keynote, added a soundtrack from a Creative Commons site, exported it as a video podcast via iWeb, uploaded it to MobileMe and promoted it on Facebook, Twitter, Yammer, two teacher-librarian listservs and the NSW DET book rap being held to celebrate Book Week 2010.

I still need to:

* Create and upload the umbrella webpage for www.number96.tv. (Time frame: immediately.)

But, as a result of this course, I will also...

* Brainstorm with Andrew Mercado(?) and begin to create a series of podcast fan commentaries for episodes of "Number 96" which could be hosted on iTunes? (Time frame: next twelve months?)

* Create more book trailers to export as video podcasts. Students to be involved in the productions. Closer ties with a range of children's writers and illustrators. A renewed focus for collaborative teaching and learning with Web 2.0 in our (almost completed) school library. (Time frame: next twelve months?)

* Complete new, unrelated, picture book project - which is currently needing to transfer from my brain to paper. Exploit the online possibilities that will arise with publication and promotion of book. (Time frame: ASAP.)


"Mr Chicken goes to Paris" book trailer

Aftermath of Murder: trivia time

A hilarious discovery: watching DVD episodes of "Number 96" this week, on came a character called Dolores Hackenback, an brassy American "Oomph!" cosmetics consultant. She was helping Roma Godolfus set up a cosmetics section in the delicatessen.

I said to myself, "Wow! It's almost like they've based a character on the producer's wife, Del Harmon!"

Then I read the closing credits: Dolores was portrayed by... Del Harmon.

I'm really enjoying this batch of 32 more episodes of "Number 96", which continues the storylines following the death of the suiciding Patyhose Strangler. Also included on the DVD, as bonus features, are two newly recorded audio commentaries (2009) with Carol Raye (Baroness Amanda Von Pappenburg) and Elisabeth Kirkby (Lucy Sutcliffe) talking to TV historian Andrew Mercado; a segment from "The Australian Way: A Salute to Aussie Sex Appeal", a long-forgotten TV special (1982, incorrectly identified as 1978), hosted by Gordon Elliott and Joanna Lockwood; the original 1976 "Adults Only" TV promo for the premiere of "And They Said It Wouldn't Last" documentary special; hilarious 1975 uncut Christmas messages from cast members; and 2008 footage of the Network Ten News announcement of the previous "Number 96" DVD release, including a reunion between Chantal Contouri (Tracey Wilson, the Pantyhose Strangler) and Pamela Garrick (one of her victims, Patti Feather).


(This strip of internal artwork courtesy of Umbrella Entertainment.)

Aftermath of Murder: the next "Number 96" DVD set!

The news has broken! The aftermath of the "Number 96" Pantyhose Strangler storyline is about to hit stores in time for the TV soap opera's 38th anniversary!

Andrew Mercado presents more details - and a sneak preview - on his website, MercadoTV, or click here for a brief episode guide to the contents of this wonderful new collection of classic 70s episodes.

Number 96 DVD update!

Aftermath of Murder: Andrew Mercado, who's assembling the next "Number 96" boxed set of consecutive TV episodes for Umbrella, has just announced that he has secured new bonus commentary tracks with the wonderfully witty Carol Raye (one of my funniest interviewees ever, when I interviewed her many years ago), and the charming Lis Kirkby.

Known to fans of "Number 96" as Don Finlayson's aunt, the Baroness Amanda Von Pappenburg, Carol Raye did two memorable stints in the series, plus one cameo appearance, and then went behind the scenes of the soapie as a Cash Harmon casting director. Her earlier work on "The Mavis Bramston Show" had already endeared Ms Raye to the Australian public, but wacky Amanda, forever cracking open champagne at breakfast - or, indeed, whenever her brain told her that the time was "a quarter past a daffodil" - often stole the show. I'm really looking forward to her contribution to this new DVD set.

Elisabeth Kirkby, the beloved Lucy Sutcliffe of the launderette (somewhere around the corner from her flat at "Number 96"), also went on to a totally different career after departing the series. As Leader of the Australian Democrats in the Upper House of NSW Parliament, Ms Kirkby became a household name all over again. I was fortunate enough to meet her on several occasions to discuss the series, and I was always impressed by her knowledge and pithy opinions of the state of the TV industry of the 70s, and what made "Number 96" so unique and successful.

Well done, Andrew, for this most excellent achievement! More details can be found here!


Don plans a trip to Heidelberg, to visit daffy Aunt Amanda!

Aftermath of Murder: More "Number 96"!

Andrew Mercado has announced the latest "Number 96" boxed set of DVDs, to be released in 2010 by Umbrella Entertainment.

"Aftermath of Murder" picks up the storyline right where the last DVD set left off: Pantyhose Strangler, Tracey Wilson, has just thrown herself out of the front window of Flat 6, and lies dead across the pavement outside the Boulevard Cafe and the Deli.

The new set will continue some truly madcap storylines across 32 sequential colour episodes, including the return of wacky ex-showgirl, Trixie O'Toole (Jan Adele), and Dorrie Evans (Pat McDonald) learning to drive! (Andrew has put some brief trailers on Youtube!) Also turning up at Australia's most memorable address will be Vera's latest boarder, young musician, Adam Shaw (Julian Rockett, pictured above!). Watch Maggie Cameron (Bettina Welch) try to tempt him away from Vera (Elaine Lee). Edie "Mummy" MacDonald (Wendy Blacklock) tries to plan a wedding for a daughter who's already eloped - to a man with a dark secret. And then, there's Lucy's latest health upset, and another source of horror for Alf: Lucy is expecting a change-of-life baby!

While "Number 96" was famous for its risky storylines and glimpses of nudity (Julian Rockett's claim to fame was flashing the first naked male bottom in colour on Aussie TV - in a failed Grundy's pilot called "Two-Way Mirror"!), this period of the show's evolution made frequent use of vaudeville-style comedy, but there was still lots of drama and melodrama.



Last March, I listed the episodes that would be featured in "Aftermath of Murder", based on Andrew's prediction that Umbrella would proceed with a new boxed set.

However, if you want to see more releases after "Aftermath of Murder", we need your support! Umbrella will only release more batches, to take us through the delicatessen bomb blast - and beyond - if this boxed set sells well enough! Buy one for you, and one for a friend!

About the pic: (top of post) He played Adam Shaw in "Number 96" in 1975, but here is Julian Rockett posing as Don Finlayson, for the cover photo of the early "Number 96" paperback novel, "Marriage of Convenience". Original photo taken by Warren Penny for Arkon Books, 1974.

This Youtube clip has footage of Julian, as Scott, in "Two-Way Mirror":



If the theme music is familiar, it was rejigged a little for "The Sullivans".

Happy anniversary, "Number 96"!

Here's an anniversary that may have passed me by, had it not been for an emailed request for a radio interview that came through on my iPhone this morning...

ABC NSW radio was doing a "Local Legend" retrospective with Liz Kirkby - former soapie actress and former Democrat MLC politician, and now a resident of Temora - about "Number 96", which originally premiered on this day 37 years ago! Such a long time ago, but the memories of Lucy Sutcliffe in her laundrette uniform, gossiping over bundles of frilly knickers, are still fresh in the collective consciousness of Australian TV viewers.

Hosted by Fiona Wyllie, her guests included Andrew Mercado, who was able to announce the next batch of 32 episodes on DVD from Umbrella Entertainment (yes, "The Pantyhose Strangler" sold well enough for more releases to be viable). I was able to confirm details about the "Number 96 Cookbook", the theme song, and reminded Fi that we recently lost actor Reg Evans (Lucy's boss at the laundrette, Mr Thorburn) in the Victorian bushfires.

The segment finished off with Abigail's iconic rendition of "Je t'aime", which had peaked at #6 on the Australian music charts of 1973.



For those of you curious to know about the contents of the next "Number 96" boxed set of DVDs from Umbrella Entertainment, here is a brief episode guide. Beware of spoilers!

681. (Originally aired 28/1/1975) Vera Collins (Elaine Lee) is released from hospital, only to learn of the news about the death of Tracey Wilson (Chantal Contouri). Vera realises that Tracey must have been the one who poisoned her. Les Whittaker (Gordon McDougall) commences teaching Dorrie Evans (Pat McDonald) to drive a car. Freda Fuller (Sheila Bradley) offers Arnold Feather (Jeff Kevin) the job of manager of the deli. Don Finlayson (Joe Hasham) has mysterious health issues, and is still a cause for concern. Dorrie finds that her driving lessons are not incident-free.

682. (29/1) The taxi normally driven by Alf Sutcliffe (James Elliot) causes a disturbance in Norma's Bar. Trixie O'Toole (Jan Adele) returns from Brisbane and moves into Vera's spare room. Carol Finlayson (Paula Duncan) and Dudley Butterfield (Chard Hayward) wonder why Don has chosen not to confide in them. Dorrie wants to work as a fashion model for Vera to earn the money she owes Alf. Norma Whittaker (Sheila Kennelly) can't believe what her own eyes tell her: Aldo and Roma Godolfus (Johnny Lockwood & Philippa Baker) have returned home!

683. (30/1) Reg and Edie MacDonald (Mike Dorsey & Wendy Blacklock) plan a surprise celebration for newlyweds, Marilyn and Michael Bartlett (Frances Hargreaves & Peter Flett), but Reg has given a budget of only $15. Arnold breaks the news to Aldo and Roma about Patti and Tracey. Marilyn and Michael consider moving out of Flat 5, while the Godolfuses move into Flat 6. Don receives some shocking news from his doctor: he has only six months to live.

684. (31/1) Reg has invited the "TC" (Paddington's Town Clerk, Mr Buchanan) to the party and raises the budget by $40. Arnold can see a glimmer of hope. Dorrie applies for a job advertised in the paper and is almost skewered by a professional knife-thrower. Edie's fruit punch has been laced with several different additives. Marilyn and Michael reach the right decision. A change of luck is in store for Alf: he has won the lottery!

685. (3/2) Freda refuses to pay Tanya Schnolskevitska (Natalie Mosco) and Arnold their wages. Roma and Aldo's new plan to go into the restaurant business will involve Arnold. Alf lets Dorrie off the hook regarding the damage to his taxi after his lottery win, but his joy soon turns into rage. His partner, Chiller Thomas, had put the winning ticket into his own name only and is refusing to share the winnings.

686. (4/2) Trixie attracts the attention of TC Buchanan (Brian Moll). Les has arranged a piano for "Happy Hour" in the wine bar, to be played by Flo Patterson (Bunney Brooke). Lucy Sutcliffe (Elisabeth Kirkby) hears from Michael's father, Tom Bartlett in New Zealand, who can't understand his son's silence. Dorrie's financial situation is desperate again, while Alf's attitude is unrelenting.

687. (5/2) Life is much brighter for Flo, but storm clouds are gathering over Aldo's shop. Freda fires all her staff. Marilyn and Michael are bickering. Will Dorrie become the new tea lady at the Paddington Town Hall? Freda has put the deli up for sale.

688. (6/2) Norma wants her own bed back, but Les assures her that a Murphy bed is on order for her mother, Mrs Florentine (Aileen Britton). Dudley is very concerned about Don, so Carol decides to take the initiative; she discovers that Don's illness may be terminal. The Godolfuses try to turn back time. Andy Marshall (Peter Adams) horrifies Arnold; he wants to move back into Flat 6.

689. (7/2) Trixie continues to fight off the attentions of the TC. Vera is angry about some unusual overnight visitors: two near-naked young unicyclists. Les creates havoc with the Murphy bed he installs for Norma's mother. Marilyn makes some accusations which silence Michael; a phone call from New Zealand has revealed the existence of a secret wife and child.

690. (10/2) Reg is promoted to ADTC. Lucy lends Dorrie $500 to pay for the damage to Alf's taxi. Changes are planned for the deli, but Tanya may lose her job. Reg's plan to surprise Marilyn and Michael works perfectly, to their horror; he knows they are not actually married. Dorrie has a shock of her own for Flo.

691. (11/2) The TC proposes to Trixie. Alf threatens Chiller about the lottery money. Les's attempts at matchmaking Norma's mother with the TC result in disaster. The sausage machine causes trouble again in Flat 1. Edie has a wedding to plan, but Marilyn and Michael decide to elope instead. Alf has a surprise when Chiller's wife brings him a substantial cheque.

692. (12/2) Don's high calorie diet is of concern, but he is following doctor's orders. Andy has a solution for the dilemma which has embroiled Tanya; he offers her a job as his secretary. Dudley and Carol plan to contact Don's Aunt Amanda in Heidelberg about his condition, while Vera has strange visitors once again.

693. (13/2) Dorrie has plans for the Town Hall. Lucy threatens Alf, while Marilyn suffers a shock.

694. (14/2) Trouble is looming over Number 96. Amanda Von Pappenburg (Carol Raye) learns about Don's problem, while Trixie decides to put Vera's plan into operation.

695. (17/2) Dorrie requires help from Don. Vera learns the truth. The tenants get ready for battle.

696. (18/2) Reg is in deep trouble, while Aldo and Roma have a surprise visit. Andy is out on a limb.

697. (19/2) A long-forgotten talent is recalled by Edie. Trouble pursues Dorrie as Trixie interferes.

698. (20/2) Maggie Cameron (Bettina Welch) has a shock for Don, but saves an angry tirade for Andy.

699. (21/2) Roma's latest career venture has repercussions. Lucy is unhappy while Maggie shows a side of her character which is rarely seen.

700. (24/2) Andy is furious. Dudley and Carol find it difficult to hide their unhappiness.

701. (25/2) Arnold's patience runs out. A letter from an old friend arrives for Vera.

702. (26/2) Dorrie has a new scheme, but Arnold refuses to take part in it. Maggie has a surprise for everyone.

703. (27/2) Trixie is left with some explaining to do. Reg shocks Edie with news of a move.

704. (28/2) Maggie has a warning for Andy. Carol and Dudley are caught in a compromising situation.

705. (3/3) Alf and Les have formulated a plan. Marilyn loses her temper. Vera has another premonition.

706. (4/3) Norma determines to investigate the new restaurant. Maggie tries to take over Vera's latest boarder, Adam Shaw (Julian Rockett). Roma and Arnold stubbornly refuse to resolve their differences.

707. (5/3) Lucy's news is a source of horror for Alf: she is expecting a change-of-life baby! Les's latest scheme does not impress Norma.

708. (6/3) Arnold disappoints Aldo, while Tanya makes a mistake.

709. (7/3) Tanya has a surprise. Andy refuses the offer of a bribe. Carol is distressed by some news.

710. (10/3) Dudley has an important decision to make. Arnold is determined to fight for Aldo.

711. (11/3) Dorrie and Herb Evans (Ron Shand) arouse the wrath of Maggie. Marilyn has a proposition for Adam.

712. (12/3) Vera's suggestion proves a shock for Adam, while Les is desolate. Confusion reigns for Carol and Dudley.

Eavesdropping

I'm a real sucker for DVD commentaries. I love them. Especially the ones that make you feel like you're in the darkened room with the commentators. I never really mind buying a DVD all over again if the new edition has extra commentaries!

I think my favourite DVD commentary would have to be the track on the extended edition of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring", in which the four main hobbits (Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd), and Legolas the Elf (Orlando Bloom), share their escapades on the film, gloat about who got more bonus scenes, and reveal how these actors enjoyed mentally torturing their younger colleague, Elijah Wood. Hilarious stuff.

As I was typing up yesterday's blog entry (which was originally planned to be a review but ended up more of a revamped list of episode descriptions, because it's going to take me at least one more 16 hour-sitting, ie. watch 'em all again, to compile all the details I wanted to share), I suddenly realised I hadn't yet played the commentary track of Episode #680 of "Number 96".

I put it on about an hour ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. TV historian, Andrew Mercado, invited Chantal Contouri to discuss her character of Nurse Tracey Wilson in the show. It was essentially the first time Ms Contouri had seen the episode, not having seen more than brief clips in the last 33 years, and her surprise at so many aspects of the show - its characters, the fashions, the writing, the camaraderie of the cast - came across as honest and enthusiastic. Great job Andrew!

Sunday's magic number: 93.1 - Okay!

Coming up for air: Number 96 and the Pantyhose Murders!

With thanks to Andrew Mercardo and Umbrella Entertainment for my contributor's copy of "Number 96: The Pantyhose Strangler"! I've had a great time reliving the 70s.

Beware the spoilers!

649. (First aired 8/11/1974) Tracey Wilson (Chantal Contouri) is falling for Andy Marshall (Peter Adams), but she knows that her husband won't agree to a divorce. Matt Barrington (John Paramor) distresses Lorelei Wilkinson (Josephine Knur) when he peeks at her in the shower. Andy is unable to partner Tracey to the hospital ball as he has to work late. Dudley Butterfield (Chard Hayward) is still in Melbourne, which depresses his partner, Don Finlayson (Joe Hasham). Arnold Feather (Jeff Kevin) is upset about his wife Patti's new job as a private nurse, and he drowns his sorrows with Don in the wine bar. A chilling sight greets Norma and Les Whittaker (Sheila Kennelly & Gordon McDougall) when they return from the ball: Lorelei has fallen victim to the Pantyhose Murderer.

This was the very first episode of "Number 96" to be broadcast in colour as Channel Ten commenced a series of equipment tests.

650. (11/11) Arnold is furious with Patti. The publicity about the latest murder means that business is booming at the wine bar. The ghouls are out in force; however, Matt has disappeared. Arnold is without an alibi. Don is tortured by doubts about Dudley, while Michael Bartlett (Peter Flett) seems evasive. Alf Sutcliffe (James Elliott) is sure he heard Dudley talking to Lorelei on the night she was strangled.

651. (12/11) Aldo and Roma Godolfus (Johnny Lockwood & Phillipa Baker) seek assistance from "Dig Up A Treasure". Reg MacDonald (Mike Dorsey) reminds his wife, Edie (Wendy Blacklock) of the forthcoming Kerbing and Guttering Ball. Flo Patterson (Bunney Brooke) begins work at the deli. Lucy Sutcliffe (Elisabeth Kirkby) disturbs an intruder and follows up a clue concerning Michael. Herb Evans (Ron Shand) loses a baby at the movies. Roma hears more news of her son, Irving, who faces a gaol term in the USA unless she can send him the money he needs.

652. (13/11) Andy claims that he was seeking a divorce from his wife on the night of the murder. Les catches Detective Sergeant Short (Ken Fraser) in his trap. Herb gets a legacy from his job: an abandoned baby. Dudley learns of Lorelei's death. Matt finally seems to have an alibi, courtesy of Maisie Burnett (Josie McKay). Patti suspects Peter Wilson (Dennis Miller) of murder, but finds incriminating evidence in Arnold's pocket; what does he need with a packet of pantyhose?

653. (14/11) Don confronts Dudley about conflicting information. Aldo suspects Reg of murder. Arnold is told a lie about a gift. Arnold and Aldo try to dissuade Roma from sending money to Irving. Edie discovers she must let Reg take Alderman Mrs April Bullock (Judi Farr) to the Kerbing and Guttering Ball. Dudley is the one to suffer when Don decides to be ruthless.

654. (15/11) Vera has a strange dream about stolen paintings. The MacDonalds' key is missing from Dorrie's master keyring, which means that Marilyn MacDonald (Frances Hargreaves) is in danger. Dorrie Evans (Pat McDonald) departs for a week in Epping to visit her widowed sister, Connie. Meanwhile, Herb becomes Edie's escort so that a Cinderella can go to the ball. Vera Collins (Elaine Lee) is stunned by her own predictions.

655. (18/11) Dudley inherits $2000 from Lorelei's will, but Alf sticks with his story. To Reg's horror, Edie does a stint of waitressing at the wine bar. Arnold is surprised to find that Patti's new bracelet has an inscription from Graham Thompson, her patient. April plots to keep Edie occupied with committee work so that she can spend more time with Reg. Don finally gets the truth, if not an explanation, out of Dudley.

656. (19/11) Dudley finally tells Don that he was in Sydney the night Lorelei was killed; he had spent time with his ex-wife and son. Roma must decide whether her true loyalties are to Irving or Aldo. Don's spare room is in use again now that his sister, Carol Finlayson (Paula Duncan), has arrived. Carol approves of Dudley. Arnold offers Roma his share of the deli as collateral. Reg believes he has ascertained the identity of the killer when he finds Don on the landing.

657. (20/11) Is Tracey jealous of Andy spending time with Vera? A postcard from Tokyo disproves Andy's alibi. Les's hopes for a reward are dashed when Flo finds an article about stolen paintings in the paper. Michael is confused and manages to upset Alf. Vera is being used by Andy against her will.

658. (21/11) Edie's suspicions about April have been aroused. Carol warns Don about her boyfriend's homophobia. Alf is suspicious of Lucy. Les has lost his key and Don is implicated. Everyone at Number 96 feels uneasy, but none more so than Marilyn when she finds a sinister package on the doorstep.

659. (22/11) Who sent Marilyn a pair of knotted pantyhose? Vera's situation is hopeless. Peter apologises to the Feathers and begs Tracey to come back home. Andy takes Marilyn to the police station. Aldo has prepared himself to make a big sacrifice.

660. (25/11) The police think Vera knows too much about the Pintor paintings. Flo suspects Dorrie of being an intruder. Andy admits the truth about his whereabouts the night of Lorelei's murder; he was asking Peter to divorce Tracey. Dorrie has a theory that the strangler only murders blonde women. Will Marilyn be the next victim? Arnold's sacrifice makes two people very happy, while Patti is confronted by a terrifying sight: Tracey has become the latest victim of the Pantyhose Strangler.

661. (26/11) Tracey has miraculously survived the attempt on her life, but several of the tenants have some explaining to do. Sergeant Short insists that the perpetrator is a tenant of Number 96. April flirts with Reg, while Carol fights with her boyfriend, Brad Hilton (Terry Bader). Alf's peace of mind is shattered by a chance meeting with Mrs Cole.

662. (27/11) Alf quizzes Lucy about Mrs Cole. The Godolfuses are unimpressed with the new deli owner, Freda Fuller (Sheila Bradley). She plans numerous changes. April cannot restrain her feelings for Reg any longer.

663. (28/11) Arnold and Freda have their first confrontation. Dorrie has thought of a form of protection against the strangler: a brunette wig. Times will change for Arnold as his old friends, Aldo and Roma, make a sad departure from Number 96.

(Trivia time! The publicity machine issued media releases as to Roma and Aldo being "written out" but, in fact, the actors were on vacation. Johnny Lockwood even had to turn down a lucrative job offer with another production company, and was unable to explain his reasons.)

664. (29/11) Dorrie has a premonition of a plane crash. Norma is disturbed when she sees the ghost of Lorelei in the kitchen. Another premonition disturbs Vera. Andy seems to know more about I Kid You Not's poor performance than he will admit. Who doped Vera's horse?

665. (2/12) Don and Dudley need dates for their night out with Carol and Brad. A scandal embroils Andy and Vera. Strange occurrences at Number 96 keep alive the tenants' memories of Lorelei. Freda asserts her authority. Andy is fired over the scandal involving I Kid You Not.

666. (3/12) Marilyn attempts to warn Edie about April's intentions towards Reg. Alf delves into the past, but Michael's latest news involves Lucy even more; she has inherited money from Tom's will. Dorrie and Flo are vying for supremacy when the Senior Citizens require a new president.

667. (4/12) The Feathers meet up with Carol and Brad at the Red Baron restaurant. Freda offers temporary work to Dorrie. A meeting in the stairwell with Peter both puzzles Alf and arouses his suspicions. Arnold is saddened by memories of the past and Patti urges him to apply for a new job. Tracey's happiness with Peter is curtailed.

(Forgotten trivia! Freda Fuller is not only revealed Sir Ormsby Fuller's niece, but she is also the goddaughter of Mrs Terry, Dorrie's nemesis at the Senior Citizens' Bowling Club! Was this an attempt to make her a little more connected to the regular cast of characters already, or even to set up future confrontations?)

668. (5/12) Edie doesn't understand when Reg tries to explain about April's crush on him. Vera is frightened when she finds Michael in her flat. Les disguises himself as a sidewalk artist to catch the strangler. Detective Constable Mallett (Tony Wheeler) believes that Vera's ex-husband, Harry, is still alive and may be hiding in the area. Lucy must deal with the appearance of a ghost from the past: Tom is alive and well. It is obvious that Michael has been playing some kind of game. Don and Dud join up with some "bonza sheilas", Shirl Boothroyd (Zoe Salmon) and Petal Wagstaff (Terry Foggarty), in an attempt to fool Brad.

669. (6/12) Arnold must travel to Canberra for an interview with a hotel chain. A distraught Tracey claims that Peter has tried to kill her, but refuses to call in the police. Arnold is the new assistant manager of a luxury hotel in Tahiti. The truth about Brad is revealed: he would prefer being with Don. Tragedy strikes once again as Arnold's moment of joy turns to horror: Patti is the murderer's latest victim.

This episode's cliffhanger endings would not be resolved until the 1975 ratings season.



670. (13/1/1975) Marilyn's news about Reg shatters Edie. Arnold cannot accept that Patti is dead. Carol makes serious accusations. Dudley is unable to establish an alibi. Michael's motive for lying to Lucy may have been revenge over his mother's death.

671. (14/1) Dorrie is jealous about Flo's election to president and Flo finds herself homeless. Les is found with pantyhose around his neck, but he is just conducting an experiment. Andy's plan misfires. Arnold must face grim reality.

672. (15/1) Flo makes a sacrifice. Carol ends her disagreement with Don. Dudley's wallet reveals a strange secret.

673. (16/1) Marilyn and Carol are both scared, but for different reasons. Tanya Schnolskevitska (Natalie Mosco) and two Russian men hide from the KGB in the wine bar. Andy must prepare Vera for a shock.

674. (17/1) Dudley tells Don that he has found another photo in his wallet: Marilyn's! Vera is unable to attend Patti's funeral because she is needed at the police station. Detective Sergeant Short arrives to arrest Dudley for murder at the climax of a very sad day for the tenants.

675. (20/1) The Sutcliffes have arranged for Arnold to stay with their son, Jim, in Perth. Vera explains that Harry did not die in the car crash after all. Dorrie's babysitting duties precludes her attendance at Claire Houghton's luncheon, but Les provides a solution by dressing in drag. Don's attitude has everyone puzzled. Tanya considers taking a job in the wine bar. Vera's dream may have revealed the killer's identity.

676. (21/1) Marilyn and Michael try to console Edie over Reg's absence. Freda wants Tanya to work in the deli and she takes up the offer. Lucy takes Vera's dream seriously and wants her to tell the police that she "saw" Marilyn's murder. Flo discovers that Dorrie had actually been waitressing for Claire, not socialising, at her luncheon. Reg returns from a week's sojourn in Woy Woy, which he did to punish Edie for neglecting her domestic duties. Michael reaches a most important decision; he and Marilyn get married.

677. (22/1) Edie takes Marilyn's news better than Reg. Tracey tells Vera that she thinks Peter is the killer. Reg realises a marriage cannot be annulled if it has been consummated. Vera's health is a concern: she has been poisoned. Tracey lets out a secret that upsets Marilyn.

678. (23/1) Les considers a career as a nanny. Dudley is hiding out in a hotel. Carol has resigned her job and seeks work in the wine bar. The Whittakers have an increase to the family when Norma's mother, Mrs Florentine (Aileen Britton), comes to stay. Les greets her at the door dressed as Dorrie. The trap is closing in on the murderer.

679. (24/1) Marilyn's lunch is a complete disaster. Andy raises suspicions. There is a happy reunion for Norma when Dudley returns, but terror for Marilyn in the laundrette when the murderer is revealed to her.

680. (27/1) Following Tracey's arrest for her attempt on Marilyn's life, the police think the mystery of the Pantyhose Murders is resolved, but Tracey has other plans. Mrs Florentine does not approve of sleeping on a camp bed. Tracey tells Andy how she escaped from the police, but leaps to her death from a Flat 6 window.

(Forgotten trivia! Tracey's first off-screen victim, the blonde hairdresser found in Chestnut Lane, was named Denise Coleman. Tracey describes how they met, and why Denise had to die. In the episode where victims' photos turn up in Dudley's wallet, we do get a brief look at Denise.)

It will be very interesting to see how this volume of 32 episodes sells on DVD. If it does well enough, there will be more! Do let Umbrella know what you'd like to see next!

Not Quite Hollywood? Our quite amazing film industry

This was so much fun!



Somehow it had passed me by that Quentin Tarantino was a such fan - fanatic - of Australian films of the 60s, 70s and 80s. While most of the other interviewees in Mark Hartley's amazing, comprehensive documentary on Aussie (s)expoitation films were polite, bemused, nostalgic, and even a bit reverential, Tarantino was... unleashed!

"Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!" is divided into three sections: "Ockers, knockers, pubes & tubes!" (including brief footage from "Number 96"), "Comatose killers and outback chillers!" and "High octane disasters and kung fu masters!" There are highlights and lowlights from an amazing array of films: Australian films that were so bad you'd forgotten how good they were, and Australian films that were so bad you'd forgotten how bad a bad Australian film could be.

Interviewees included "Number 96" alumni Rebecca Gilling, Wendy Hughes, Lynette Curran, Briony Behets, Candy Raymond, Deborah Gray, Roger Ward and Norman Yemm, all of whom made even more notorious, often nude, appearances in "Ozploitation" movies. I also noted David Hannay, who was an associate producer of "Number 96" and "The Unisexers". The archive footage of Abigail, in her many non-96 appearances, are far more revealing than any of her supposedly more-notorious "Number 96" scenes!

I'm not sure how well this doco is doing in its cinema release - due to the Indian Film Festival at Fox, it was promoted from its art house status and was screening in the larger cinema complex. It deserves to do well and, I suspect, will be a sleeper hit on DVD. I find myself curious to check out many of the films the doco saluted, although for some of the more gory examples in "Comatose killers and outback chillers!" perhaps the snippets chosen for the doco are sufficient.

I came home nursing my contributor's copy (see Bonus Features) of "Number 96: The Pantyhose Strangler" DVD set. Thanks Andrew Mercado! (It was great catching up again today, and also meeting Mitchell Butel and the gang!) Almost sixteen hours worth of episodes, most of which I haven't seen since they first aired in the 70s! Maybe you won't hear much from me this week either...

Sunday's magic number: 94.1 - Hey, I tried to order a light beer in a Bavarian restaurant today. The waiter just glared at me. Do Bavarians not get fat?

Number 96: In the pink!

Hot off the press from my ol' pal, Andrew Mercado, and Umbrella Entertainment, here's the finalised box art for the new volume of Number 96 classics:

Exclusive DVD news! Beware The Pantyhose Strangler!

THE RETURN OF 'NUMBER 96'

They tried to stop me! They even sent Tracey Wilson after me! But I'll say it anyway...:

Australia's cult TV soap classic of the 70s is back: coming to a boxed DVD set near you... in September 2008.

(Okay, I'm joking about them trying to stop me: I just received the official go-ahead from Andrew Mercado to announce, exclusively, that a deal has at last been cut to bring the saga of the complete Pantyhose Murders storyline of "Number 96" to DVD.)

The DVD set will comprise 32 episodes on four discs - starts with Episode #649 (originally aired 4/11/1974) and finishes with #680 (original airdate 27/01/1975). There will also be a stills gallery (to which I have contributed), a new commentary and even the Network Ten News report (10/07/06) of the first "Number 96" DVD release. Cue the cheering!

In 2006, Umbrella Entertainment released a great salute to "Number 96", a two-disc collectors' edition of Number 96: The Movie and "And They Said it Wouldn't Last" (the documentary celebrating the first 1000 episodes of the TV series, including missing archive footage of the cast at Luna Park), and "The Final Years", a new featurette made for the DVD.

But you wanted more! So here it is!

While it would be great to start commercial releases of the TV episodes of "Number 96" from the very beginning, the sad fact is that many early black-and-white episodes no longer exist. The first few episodes were well-preserved but there's one eighteen-month-long chunk of TV history that crumbled to dust in the early 80s. Sadly, that missing footage includes the infamous, highly-controversial Black Mass. Then there's a lone episode (#450) and another long run of missing stuff.

It was also thought that a boxed DVD set could start from #585, the first colour episode, but that's rather tame compared to "Number 96" at - arguably - its creative and comical peak: the Pantyhose Murders! We commence our DVD tour after it is realised that the body of a blonde woman - found strangled with pantyhose in Chestnut Lane, Paddington - was not, as everyone feared, Marilyn MacDonald. The storyline weaves its way through the shocking deaths, and near-deaths, of several long-time residents of 96 Lindsay Street, thus putting most of the other residents under suspicion, including two mysterious young beaus, Michael Bartlett (Peter Flett) and Matt Barrington (John Paramor). Not to mention the nasty Peter Wilson (Dennis Miller), the cruel, estranged husband of Nurse Tracey Wilson (Chantal Contouri)!

In September, you'll be reacquainted with ditzy Lorelei Wilkinson (Josephine Knur), the equally ditzy Marilyn McDonald (Frances Hargreaves), and the wonderfully whiny Patti Feather (Pamela Garrick), new wife of Arnold (Jeff Kevin). Interspersed with the action on the killing fields is the sad (temporary?) departures of the beloved Goldolfuses, the arrival of a new deli owner, Freda Fuller (Sheila Bradley), and some wonderful Aussie comedy relief, as only vintage "Number 96" could showcase: wacky Les Whittaker's strangler-capture devices; wacky Mummy MacDonald's false boobies as she struggles to tend bar downstairs at Norma's; and Dorrie Evans' equally-wacky turn as a brunette (in order to avoid being the next blonde victim of the Strangler, of course)!

*If you think you recognise the rather sinister woman strangling me in the above picture, yes, that's Tracey Wilson herself. Ms Contouri has recorded a brand new commentary with Andrew for the DVD set!

Roll on September! At least you can't say, "Why wasn't I told?"

Number 96 and the Demidenko connection

Well, what a surprise! Viewers of tonight's Where Are They Now probably guessed that the two (extra) special guests on the Number 96 reunion special would be iconic members of the cast, but I was anticipating Joe Hasham (as homosexual law student, Don Finlayson) and Abigail (as the vivacious but virginal Bev Houghton).

Now, I did know that the researchers at Network 7 really wanted Abigail on the show, and were having trouble tracking her down last year; she was thought to be in Europe, and even her agent had not heard from her in ages. Joe wasn't a difficulty; he'd already been a surprise guest for John Orcsik in the old Peter Luck version of Where Are They Now (1997).

It was a thrill to learn that Chard Hayward (as Don's campy lover, Dudley Butterfield) had agreed to return to Australia for Where Are They Now, to catch up with his former cast mates after 30 years. About ten years ago, the cast had tried to involve Chard with a literary project they were working on, but he preferred to stay focused on his new life as a director/actor in the USA. (Maybe you noticed his credit on early episodes of "Lost", on which he consulted about the Australian aspects of the scripts?)

Tonight's show can be summarised thusly:
WHERE ARE THEY NOW. (8/7/2007)
Presented by Melissa Doyle and David Koche. Featured Jeff Kevin (Arnold Feather), Sheila Kennelly (Norma Whittaker), Elaine Lee (Vera Collins Sutton), James Elliott (Alf Sutcliffe), Elisabeth Kirkby (Lucy Sutcliffe), Frances Hargreaves (Marilyn MacDonald), Chantal Contouri (as the pantyhose strangler herself: Tracey Wilson), and surprise guests, Joe Hasham (Don Finlayson) and Chard Hayward (Dudley Butterfield).

From the Archives: Ian McLean meets the Pantyhose Strangler!

But for me, the biggest surprise tonight happened after the Number 96 segment: the appearance of controversial author, Helen Demidenko (aka Helen Darville, now aka Helen Dale), of The Hand That Signed the Paper infamy! What an amazing personal coincidence! You don't see a connection? Please allow me to explain:

Way back in 1995, I received the wonderful news that publishing company Allen & Unwin was considering offering me a contract for the book I'd proposed (and had half-finished): my social history on Number 96. My agent, Selwa Anthony, and I had just had lunch with the Allen & Unwin editor, and it all seemed extremely positive.

Arriving home, I immediately rang four people who'd been of significant assistance in getting my proposal out into the world of publishing: Nancy Cash, widow of Don Cash, from the team who originally produced Number 96; David Sale, the creator of the show, who'd been so supportive and generous of his time; and Valerie Parv and Natalie Jane Prior, two longtime friends who'd already become successful, published authors.

After his encouraging words of hopeful congratulation for the safe arrival of my first contract, David Sale had made some very witty jokes about Allen & Unwin's then-current debacle to do with Helen Demidenko, and the accusations of misrepresentation and plagiarism that were dogging her. It had been the only news event being talked about that whole week. David suggested I could impress Allen & Unwin by changing my name - to Ian Demidenko, or perhaps Ian Sale? - and gain some extra notoriety for my book.<

We'd fallen about hysterically but then I attempted to convey these same jokes to my pal Natalie, along with my news. Natalie was naturally thrilled for me having had what seemed to be such a successful meeting with my editor, and that we were about to share publishers, since Allen & Unwin had already published several of Natalie's children's books (including The Paw). Strangely, though, Natalie seemed rather cool towards the jokes at Ms Demidenko/Darville's expense. Of course, I had no way of knowing that said Helen D. had been hiding out at Natalie's house all week, in secret, and on the run from the media frenzy Helen had managed to create! (A few days later, a Sydney newspaper's poster outside the newsagents screamed, "FRIEND TELLS OF DARVILLE'S LIES!")

Alas, my book on Number 96 ended up not happening - the Allen & Unwin marketing people were rightly concerned there was no longer a big enough demographic wanting to buy a book about Number 96- sigh! - but my big day did end up in a book after all: The Demidenko Diary by Natalie Jane Prior, in which Natalie told the world of her bizarre association with the person who perpetrated one of Australia's most famous cases of literary fraud.

A quote from page 139, which takes place after another frantic day of Natalie fielding phone calls and complications about Helen and the employees at Allen & Unwin: "After all this I was a wreck. I had to take a few other calls, including one from a friend to say that his first book looked likely to be published by - you guessed it - Allen & Unwin". (Prior, Reed Books: 1996.)

Sometimes coincidence and serendipity create a synergy that really freaks me out. And here I was yesterday, saying I felt a bit left out of the reunion after helping them find people. (Especially after hearing that my old friend Andrew Mercado had been in the studio for the taping...) Thanks Network 7 for a fun show tonight, and for one more very bizarre coincidence!

By the way, for people searching out Chantal Contouri's Adelaide restaurant, it would seem to be the Original Barbecue Inn

.

The return of Number 96!

In a few hours time, Australian DVD retailers will begin unpacking cartons of Umbrella Entertainment's salute to "Number 96", Australia's cult TV soap opera hit, that ran from 1972 until 1977.

In 1993, I seriously began work on a book about "Number 96". It was to have been a social history of the groundbreaking show. The writers' workshops always tell you to write about what you know - and US TV shows, such as "Batman" and "Star Trek" were (and are) well served by a plethora of fiction and non fiction based on those phenomena. Although my "Number 96 Memories" proposal and sample chapters were well received by a big publisher in 1995, when push came to shove the marketing department was against the concept proceeding to contract. If any publishers are still game, I still have all my interview tapes of the cast and crew. Sigh...

Umbrella is presenting "Number 96" as a two-disc collectors' edition. It will feature a brand new 16:9 transfer of "Number 96: The Movie" - yes, in 1974 Australian audiences were able to see their favourite black & white TV characters, uncut and uncensored on the big silver screen, in full colour! While the movie is not the best example of what made the TV series so great, the movie's advantage is that at least it has an ending. Had Umbrella released selected TV episodes instead, new viewers would have been left hanging by the, um, cliffhangers. That's the problem with soap operas on DVD.

The movie will have an audio commentary with my wonderful friend, Elaine Lee, who played Vera Collins; the show's creator/screenwriter David Sale, who generously shared so many amazing anecdotes about the show with me while I was writing my book (and beyond); and TV soaps expert Andrew Mercado. Andrew and I saw "Number 96" as youngsters in our respective home states and we found out about each other's passion for the show only after I did an appearance on "Tonight Live With Steve Vizard", a special 1993 reunion episode about the soapie. I'm so jealous that it was Andrew who got the gig to put together this DVD set - but that's showbiz, of course, and he's worked really hard to see his own dreams become reality. I can't wait to hear the commentary; it's gonna be as hilarious as the movie's reflection of Aussie life in the 70s. (Wait till you see some of the costumes and hairstyles. What were we all thinking in the 70s?)

The other disk will contain a classic documentary on the TV series, restored with all three introductions (one almost lost from the archives forever, but now restored to its rightful place), plus rare Logie footage of the annual "Spirit of 96" train journey, and a newly prepared featurette. And David Sale and Johnny Whyte's original draft screenplay of the film in DVD ROM format.

You might even recognise the villainous Tracey Wilson (Chantal Contouri) in the DVD's archive footage of the Pantyhose Strangler storyline. That's also Tracey/Chantal in the picture above, disposing of the pesky "Number 96" Historian once and for all...