The Battlers (TV series)
| The Battlers | |
|---|---|
 Newspaper ad from 26 Jun 1968 | |
| Written by | John Abbott Edward Hepple Jonh Kiddell Michael Wright |
| Directed by | Jacques d Vigne |
| Starring | John Armstrong Bill Hunter Mark McManus Carmen Duncan Vincent Gil |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Production | |
| Producer | John Walters |
| Running time | 30 mins |
| Original release | |
| Release | 26 June 1968 (Sydney) |
The Battlers is a 1968 Australian TV series about an aboriginal boxer. It was inspired by the story of Lionel Rose.[1]
Plot
Tolly McCall is the lightweight boxing champion of Australia whose career is threatened with injury. His wife Janet is relieved that he will no longer box. Tolly becomes obsessed with a young aboriginal boxer, Wayne.
Cast
- Mark McManus as Tolly McCall
- Carmen Duncan as his wife Janet
- Vincent Gil as Wayne Small, an aboriginal boxer
- Jannice Dinnen
- Gordon Glenwright as Tolly's manager, Bongo Byrne
- Janice Dinnen as Donna McCall
- John Armstrong as Tolly's trainer, Monk
- Les Foxcroft
- Lucky Grills
- Bill Hunter
Production
It was followed the production of You Can't See Round Corners. It was originally known as The Doongara Kid.[2] The story was inspired by Lionel Rose. Vincent Gil was trained in boxing for the serial by Bill McConnell.[3]
It was shot at ATN's studio in Epping, Sydney and on location at Le Perouse, the stadium, and travelling tent shows.[4]
Selected episodes
- Ep 1 - Tolly is told he cannot fight again. He goes to the country to think things over. While there he discovers his Aboriginal partner on a log cutting job is an excellent fighter. Tolly decides to train him.
- Ep 2 - Tolly and his wife disagree on their future plans and all depends on Wayne's first fight.
- Ep 3 - in an effort to get Tolly back to Sydney, Janet offers to help two of his friends set up a gym.
- Wayne and Tolly are tried in the magistrate's court for assault.
- The day of Wayne's first fight arrives and he is missing
- Wayne hopes Tollly will change his mind about managing him and rejects Bongo's offer.
- Tolly goes to Paula Bradley's flat for dinner.
- Bongo and Tolly sign up a new lightweight from Melbourne.
Reception
Reviewing the pilot episode The Age praised it as "exciting, sustaining, action viewing".[5]
References
- ^ Albert Moran, Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series, AFTRS 1993 p 74
- ^ Robinson, Harry (4 March 1968). "They've run out of Excuses". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 11.
- ^ "Training of "The Kid"". The Age. 4 June 1968. p. 10 (The Guide).
- ^ Marshall, Valda (16 June 1968). "New Local Drama Series on ATN 7". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 97.
- ^ "Teletopics". The Age. 11 July 1968. p. 2 (Guide).
External links
- The Battlers at IMDb