The Undertakers is a 1970 Australian television play. It was a pilot for a series that was not picked up but which aired as a stand-alone production.
| The Undertakers | |
|---|---|
| Genre | comedy |
| Created by | Ken Shadie |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Alan MacKnight |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Ken Shadie |
| Running time | 30 mins |
| Original release | |
| Network | Seven Network |
| Release | 30 November 1970 |
It aired in Melbourne on 27 January 1971 along with a number of pilots for series, including The Group, Catwalk, Kill and Cure, and The Chris Kirby Show.[1]
Jim Oswin, General Manager of ATN-7, said "we are going to make them and we are going to play them. Then the network is going to sit back and take a good, critical look at them. And we want viewers to do the same."[2]
According to the Sun Herald "Sydney comment was cool" on the show "but in the other states, particularly Melbourne, they loved it."[3]
The Sun Herald called it "hilariously funny... the most promising Australian comedy show I've seen in 14 years."[4]
The Age felt it was derivative of Steptoe and Son but thought Ferrier's performance was "glorious".[5]
Premise
editAn undertaker (Noel Ferrier) is joined in business by his used car salesman brother (Peter Whitford).
Cast
edit- Noel Ferrier as Barnabas Quinn
- Peter Whitford
- Queenie Ashton
- Ric Hutton
- Harry Lawrence
References
edit- ^ "Pick the best". The Age. 21 January 1971. p. 29.
- ^ Marshall, Valda (15 November 1970). "Channel 7's revolting again". The Sunday Sydney Morning Herald. p. 106.
- ^ "Pilot plans". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 February 1971. p. 117.
- ^ "Local show packed with laughs". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 November 1970. p. 124.
- ^ "Shades of steptoe". The Age. 29 January 1971. p. 2.