| Take That | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Inspired by | Yes, What? by Rex Dawe |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Production locations | South Melbourne, Victoria |
| Running time | 15 minutes |
| Production company | Crawford Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | HSV-7 |
| Release | 1957 – March 1959 |
Take That was one of the earliest Australian television series. It debuted in late 1957 and ran till March 1959. As was often the case with early Australian television, it aired only on a single station, in this case HSV-7, in Melbourne.
Take That was a slapstick comedy series set in an unruly schoolroom; one of the earliest such series produced for Australian television, and is sometimes considered to be Australia’s first, regularly scheduled sitcom.
The series was produced by Crawford Productions, who made several other pioneering 1950s series, like the game show Wedding Day and the children's show Peters Club (also featuring Joff Ellen), at the Channel 7 studios in Dorcas Street, South Melbourne, before live audiences.
The program, inspired by a popular radio show and the BBC’s Whack-O! , was notable for its unpredictable stunts and pranks featuring noisy sound effects, onstage smokebombs and fireworks. [1]
Cast included the portly British comic actor Philip Stainton as the schoolmaster, and naughty local students Irene Hewitt, Frank Rich, Keith Eden, and Joff Ellen. [2]
The archival status of the show (which was broadcast live) is not clear; although Kinescope recording existed, many early Australian broadcasts of the period were not recorded. Former Crawfords’ staffer Ian Crawford has said that the program was kinescoped, but that no footage survives. [3]
For some time the series aired in a 15-minute time-slot 7:00PM on Wednesday, was preceded by a brief newscast and followed by another 15-minute series titled Teenage Mailbag at 7:15PM, itself followed at 8:00PM by an American program ( The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin ). [4] At some point in 1959, the series aired on Saturday at 5:30PM, preceded by These Were Hits (consisting of clips from the series Hit Parade ) and followed at 5:45PM by Cavalcade of Sport. [5]
The Tarax Show was an early Australian children's TV program on GTV-9 in Melbourne running from 1957 to 1969.
Teenage Mailbag was an Australian television series which aired in 1957 to 1958 on Melbourne station HSV-7. Information on this series is scarce. According to a 2008 article in The Age, the format consisted of Ernie Sigley, Gaynor Bunning and Heather Horwood singing requested songs in a 15-minute slot, and later expanded to an hour. The one-hour version became the series The Teenage Show (1958-1960?). At one point, the series aired at 7:15PM, preceded by another 15-minute series titled Take That and followed by an American program.
Swallows Parade was an Australian radio and television series. The radio version was broadcast by Melbourne station 3DB in the 1950s, and was also heard on other Major Broadcasting Network stations on a Thursday evening, with auditions being held on Tuesdays. It was presented in front of a live audience from various towns and cities with Major Network outlets.
Peters Club was an Australian children's television series which reportedly debuted in 1958, and aired on GTV-9, running into 1959. At the time, many Australian TV series were only broadcast on a single station instead of being networked, which may have also been the case with the series.
Oxford Show was an Australian radio program which was broadcast on Melbourne station 3KZ in the 1950s. According to an article in the 4 April 1957 issue of The Age newspaper, It was a variety series hosted by Jim Berinson, a tenor. Also featured were Laurie Wilson, pianist-organist, and Hector McLennan, banjoist.
That's My Desire is an Australian television game show which ran from 1958 to 1960 on Melbourne station HSV-7. Hosted by Danny Webb, it was a panel game. The half-hour series changed time-slot several times. At one point it aired at 4:45PM, it later aired at 3:00PM, then at 4:00PM, and finally at 2:30PM.
Sweet and Low was an Australian television series which aired from 24 August 1959 until 28 September 1959 on ABC Television station ABV-2 in Melbourne. Hosted by Bob Walters, the half-hour series presented performances by jazz musicians. Bruce Clarke appeared as a guest in the second episode.
The Chef Presents was an early Australian television series, which aired from 1957 to 1959 on Melbourne station HSV-7, and was hosted by Willi Koeppen, who became a celebrity in Melbourne due to the series. At one point, the series aired in a 5-minute time-slot, later expanding to a 15-minute timeslot at 7:15 p.m. before being moved to 2:15 p.m., and finally aired at 4:00 p.m. In 1976, long after the series ended, Koeppen mysteriously vanished. One of the earliest cooking shows on Australian television, there is little information available on the series, and it is unlikely that any kinescope recordings exist of it.
Geoff and Judy was a short-lived television variety series which aired in 1959 on Melbourne television station GTV-9. Hosted by Geoff Corke and Judy Jack, the series aired at 1:00PM on Tuesdays. The obscure series is largely notable for pairing two then-popular figures in Melbourne television. At the time, Australian series tended to be aired on a single station only, something that would change in the 1960s.
The Ken Noyle Show is an Australian television series which aired on ABC Television. A half-hour variety series, in Sydney it aired on Thursdays, while in Melbourne it typically aired on Wednesdays.
Eric and Mary was an Australian television programme which aired in 1956. It was one of the earliest Australian-produced television series. It was an "informal programme with guest artists", likely an interview show, hosted by Eric Pearce and Mary Parker. It was broadcast on Melbourne station HSV-7. The station began broadcasting on 4 November 1956, and Eric and Mary debuted a few days later on the 7th.
The Bert Newton Show was an Australian television series which aired from 1959 to 1960. Aired at 6:30PM Saturdays on Melbourne station GTV-9, it was aimed at teenagers and featured acts lip-syncing their songs.
The Late Show is an Australian television variety series which aired from 1957 to 1959 on Melbourne station HSV-7. Aired on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and competing in the time-slot with GTV-9's popular In Melbourne Tonight, the series included a mix of music and comedy. People who hosted the series during its run included John D'Arcy, Bert Newton and original host Noel Ferrier.
Any Questions was an Australian television series which aired on the ABC from 1958 to 1963. The series presented a panel, who would discuss various topics in each episode. ABC produced several discussion series during the 1950s and 1960s. Originally aired on Thursdays, it later moved to Wednesdays. Some of the editions were made in Sydney, while others were made in Melbourne.
Juke Box Saturday Night was a short-lived Australian television series which aired on Melbourne station GTV-9 from around November 1957 to January 1958.
At Seven on 7 was an early Australian television series, which aired from 3 December 1956 to circa 22 February 1957 on Sydney station ATN-7. Along with series like What's My Line, The Judy Jack Show and The Isador Goodman Show, it represented an early example at Australian-produced television content.
The Happy Go Lucky Show is an Australian television variety series which aired from 30 October 1957 to 4 November 1959 on Melbourne television station GTV-9. Originally hosted by Happy Hammond, by 1958 the series was hosted by Bob Horsfall. Horsfall sometimes had a female co-host, these varied during the run of the series and included Pat McCormack, Susan Gaye Anderson, Patricia Rumbold, and Joy Fountain. The series aired at 1:00PM on Wednesdays. During 1958, one of the segments included "community singing". Other segments included guests and competitions.
Tele-Variety was a four-part Australian television variety series which aired fortnightly on Sydney station ABN-2 on Saturdays from 7 December 1957 to 18 January 1958. It alternated in the time-slot with Look Who's Dropped In. The producer was Harry Pringle. It is worth noting that ABC series of the period often had shorter seasons than those on commercial television.
Health Club is an Australian television series which aired from 1957 to 1959, also known as Health and Happiness. A daytime series aired on Melbourne station HSV-7, very little information is available on the series, however it is notable as an early example of an Australian television series aimed at women. A 15-minute series, it was hosted by Beryl Wright and aired weekly on Wednesdays.
Brenda's Time is an Australian television series which aired in 1959 on Melbourne station HSV-7. It featured Brenda Marshall, a HSV personality of the period. It aired in a 15-minute time-slot, and appears to have been an interview show. It aired on Wednesdays at 4:00PM, preceded by Menu for Tomorrow and followed at 4:15PM by imported drama Scarlet Pimpernel.
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