"The Box" (1974) TV series 1974-1977

User Rating:

9.3/10   

Directors:

Graeme Arthur
Bob Meillon

Writers:

Lynn Bayonas (writer)
Jonathan Dawson (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

11 February 1974 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Examines the day-to-day running of Melbourne television station UCV-12, the professional and personal lives of its staff...

Plot Keywords:

Television Industry | Sex | Soap | Gay Interest

Cast

Barrie Barkla	...	Max Knight (5 episodes, 1974-1977)
Ken Snodgrass	...	Jack O'Brien (5 episodes, 1974-1977)
Lois Ramsey	...	Mrs. Hopkins (4 episodes, 1974-1977)
Judy Nunn	...	Vicki Stafford (4 episodes, 1974-1977)
Ken James	...	Tony Wild (4 episodes, 1974-1977)
Fred Betts	...	Sir Henry Usher (4 episodes, 1974-1976)
John Stanton	...	Nick Manning (4 episodes, 1975-1977)
Peter Regan	...	Gary Burke (3 episodes, 1974-1976)
Charles Gilroy	...	Ted (3 episodes, 1974-1977)
Barbara Llewellyn	...	Barbara 'Babs' McArthur (3 episodes, 1976-1977)
Roger Newcombe	...	Brian Colson (3 episodes, 1976-1977)
Jill Forster	...	Enid Parker (2 episodes, 1975-1977)
Tony Barry	...	Doug Jackson (2 episodes, 1975-1976)
Cheryl Rixon	...	Angela / ... (2 episodes, 1975-1976)
Margaret Cruickshank	...	Marion Knight (2 episodes, 1976-1977)
Arna-Maria Winchester	...	Ann Chambers (2 episodes, 1976)

Runtime:

50 min (335 episodes)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Channel 10 Studios, Nunawading, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Crawford Productions

Movie Connections:

Followed by The Box (1975)

Should have been put in a box and buried in quicklime.

This appalling show was a response to the Sydney based "No 96", which was a series that in its early days broke some of the old taboos by introducing plot lines with homosexuals, racial discrimination etc but also lots of bare breasts from buxom young 'starlets', none of whom could act. However, that series descended into farce with evermore strained plots and unlikely characters. Hmm! I digress. The Box was typical 70s Australia, bad scripts, bad sets and bad acting. The constant props of pausing to light a cigarette, or pour drink or interruptions by the telephone (always prominently placed so you knew it was going to ring!)only exaggerated its amateurish production values.

Most episodes could guarantee a flash of the boobs from Judy Nunn or some other bit of fluff and thereby guarantee an audience of dirty old men and pubescent boys with onanistic tendencies.

It is interesting to read the bios of those involved and see how many disappeared without trace after this show. Watch it if you must but please remember that it should be regarded for its social history aspects only. If you want something with a dynamic plot and great list of characters, read the phone book.