The Box (1974–1977)

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

Stars:

Barrie Barkla, Ken Snodgrass, Lois Ramsey

2 wins.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Barrie Barkla	...	Max Knight (6 episodes, 1974-1977)
Ken Snodgrass	...	Jack O'Brien (6 episodes, 1974-1977)
Lois Ramsey	...	Mrs. Hopkins (5 episodes, 1974-1977)
Judy Nunn	...	Vicki Stafford (5 episodes, 1974-1977)
Ken James	...	Tony Wild (5 episodes, 1974-1977)
John Stanton	...	Nick Manning (5 episodes, 1975-1977)
Fred Betts	...	Sir Henry Usher (4 episodes, 1974-1976)
Charles Gilroy	...	Ted (4 episodes, 1974-1977)
Barbara Llewellyn	...	Barbara 'Babs' McArthur (4 episodes, 1976-1977)
Roger Newcombe	...	Brian Colson (4 episodes, 1976-1977)
Peter Regan	...	Gary Burke (3 episodes, 1974-1976)
Jill Forster	...	Enid Parker (3 episodes, 1976-1977)
Margaret Cruickshank	...	Marion Knight (3 episodes, 1976-1977)
Tony Barry	...	Doug Jackson (2 episodes, 1975-1976)
Cheryl Rixon	...	Angela (2 episodes, 1975-1976)
Christine Broadway	...	Yvette Monchamps (2 episodes, 1977)
Edward Ogden	...	Donald Harker (2 episodes, 1977)
Arna-Maria Winchester	...	Ann Chambers (2 episodes, 1976)
Gary Day	...	Marcus Boyd (2 episodes, 1977)
Penny Downie	...	Ronnie Heatherton (2 episodes, 1977)
Tom Richards	...	Greg Patterson (2 episodes, 1977)
Ross Skiffington	...	Hugh Langford (2 episodes, 1977)

Storyline

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

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Plot Keywords:

television industry | sex | soap | gay interest

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 February 1974 (Australia)

Filming Locations:

Channel 10 Studios, Nunawading, Victoria, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crawford Productions, Network Ten

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (335 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by The Box (1975)

User Reviews

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.