"A Country Practice" (1981) TV series 1981-1993

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Directors:

Peter Andrikidis
Helen Gaynor

Writers:

Michael Harvey (writer)
John Misto (writer) (1991)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Release Date:

November 1981 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

18 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Shane Porteous	...	Dr. Terence Elliott / ... (934 episodes, 1981-1993)
Brian Wenzel	...	Sergeant Frank Gilroy / ... (890 episodes, 1981-1993)
Joyce Jacobs	...	Esme Watson / ... (787 episodes, 1981-1993)
Lorrae Desmond	...	Shirley Dean Gilroy / ... (759 episodes, 1981-1992)
Gordon Piper	...	Bob Hatfield (693 episodes, 1981-1992)
Syd Heylen	...	Vernon 'Cookie' Locke (679 episodes, 1982-1992)
Joan Sydney	...	Matron Margaret 'Maggie' Sloan / ... (404 episodes, 1983-1993)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

ATN-7 Studios, Mobbs Lane, Epping, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

JNP Productions

Trivia:

The episode where Molly Jones dies of cancer was one of the highest rating in the series history. Although the rating system of the day was antiquated, the episode rated in the high 30s which equates to more than a 30 per cent share of all prime time viewing, across five free to air networks - in US terms, roughly equivalent to an episode of Charlie's Angels at the height of its popularity. It dominated newspaper front pages of the day, and is still one of the most discussed episodes of Australian TV.

Movie Connections:

Followed by "A Country Practice" (1994)

Favourite soap of all time ... such likable characters

Slightly behind Australia but A Country Practice was on our screens just after lunch - and I watched it from the start. The characters were all so easy to like and be interested in - even the animals. Who can forget Molly & Brendon putting the crystal chandelier her mother gave them up in Doris the pig's pen - and her mothers look when she finally visited and saw it! In the UK we didn't know what a Yabbie was, until Molly decided to farm Yabbies (sort of fresh water King Prawns. Colourful clothes were another of her creations - never dull and boring but Brendon, a male nurse, was equally caring and good with all the patients. Following her second pregnancy their baby son died following a premature birth. Following this trauma Mollie was found to have an incurable cancer. The biggest tearjerker came when Molly died - and it was filmed beautifully as she was in the garden watching Brendon playing with Chloe then they panned the shot from Molly's eyes as her vision started to cloud and Brendon looked over, realised what was happened and started running shouting 'No Moll - don't go yet'...

So many characters - Matron Maggie Sloane the no-nonsense martinet with a heart of gold and a skill with cards that could fleece the shirt of your back. Her weakness along with the gee-gees - oh and her hatred of the Matron at Burrigan hospital!

Terrence Elliot the senior GP - who had a chaotic love life. Divorced when we first met him we watched as he fell in love with Alex, married her and seemed set for happiness only to lose it when their baby died and Alex left to tend those in need at an Aborigine Station.

Simon & Vicky - finally married after driving us crazy for a long time and then Vicky the Vet managed to give birth to twins while out tending to animals at a farm - two babies and no help but Bob I think it was!

Frank & Shirley Gilroy - Frank the policeman had been an 'admirer' of Shirl since schooldays. Shirley (Vicky's mom) sat under a pyramid and meditated but not about Frank! Finally Frank got round Shirl when he burned his hands and she took him in to look after him! Their home then became a refuge for so many children who came and stayed for a while - not forgetting 'Fatso' the wombat who took up residence when Simon & Vicki left for America.

I could write so much about this show - 12 years since it was cancelled and the people and places are still fresh so if the show is rerun and you ever get the chance to visit Wandin Valley take it, watch the show and see why it was so well loved.

I have some home recorded tapes - and the final week they re-ran highlights and weddings, so I still have those but WHY OH WHY hasn't this been released on DVD yet.