The Sullivans (1976–1983)

Stars:

Lorraine Bayly, John Bowman, Marcella Burgoyne

12 wins.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Lorraine Bayly	...	Grace Sullivan (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
John Bowman	...	Constable Smith (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Marcella Burgoyne	...	Lolie Kauffman (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Michael Caton	...	Uncle Harry (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Paul Cronin	...	Dave Sullivan (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Maggie Dence	...	Aunty Rose (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Reg Gorman	...	Jack Fletcher (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Vivean Gray	...	Mrs. Jessup (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Vikki Hammond	...	Maggie Hayward (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Susan Hannaford	...	Kitty Sullivan (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Noni Hazlehurst	...	Lill Duggan (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Peter Hehir	...	Bert Duggan (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Leon Lissek	...	Hans Kauffman (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Andrew McFarlane	...	John Sullivan (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Ingrid Mason	...	Anna Kauffman (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Richard Morgan	...	Terry Sullivan (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Frederick Parslow	...	Mister Jarvis (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Steven Tandy	...	Tom Sullivan (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Norman Yemm	...	Norm Baker (12 episodes, 1976-1977)
Denzil Howson	...	Mr. Hardwicke (9 episodes, 1976-1977)
Charmain Jacka	...	Mrs. Cashmore (5 episodes, 1976)
Keith Eden	...	Grandpa Donovan (4 episodes, 1976)
Alan Rowe	...	RSL President (4 episodes, 1976)
Ron Pinnell	...	Toby (4 episodes, 1976)
Bethany Lee	...	Christine (3 episodes, 1976-1977)
John Proper	...	Light Horse President (3 episodes, 1976)
Howard Eynon	...	Corporal Hall (3 episodes, 1976-1977)
Patrick Dylan	...	Man in Cinema (3 episodes, 1976)
John McMahon	...	Radio Announcer (3 episodes, 1976)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

world war two | australia | soldier | soap

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 November 1976 (Australia)

Also Known As:

I Sullivans

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crawford Productions, Nine Network Australia

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (1114 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actors involved in the storyline set in Singapore's Changi Prison undertook a three-week course in authentic prisoner behavior and were taught some Malay. The shoot actually took place in a gasworks during the cold Melbournian winter, a hardship for castmembers in sarongs and heavy suntan make-up.

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Connections

Referenced in The Olden Days (1993)

User Reviews

Australian Soap

The Sullivans told the story of a lower middle class Catholic family during World War 2. As far as it went, it was a decent soap opera - indeed the creative force behind it was quoted as saying it was brilliant: as it was set during world war 2, there was little sex, no drugs, and nothing to offend.

Detail was noticed - it was shot in the Melbourne suburb of Camberwell, in a street which had no television aerials. The Neanderthals knocked this street down. Anyway, Paul cronin played Dave Sullivan, the patriarch. He was a world war one veteran, along with the barman of the local pub, Norm. At the beginning of the War, Norm, and dave's two eldest sons enlist. Lorraine Bayly, who was hitherto best known for her role on Play School, played Grace Sullivan. The two eldest sons see action in Europe, then the pacific, and eventually Terry, the youngest son, signs up. Terry is somewhat of a crook. Other recurring characters included Uncle Harry, a con-man (Graces Brother), played by Michael caton, who later played Daryl Kerrigan in the Castle, Mel Gibson in a very early role (try to find that on his official bio) and Noni Hazlehurst (another Play School Graduate.)

Forgettable, but much better than Neighbours or Home and Away (and more typical of Australian lifestyles, too.)