A Descant for Gossips is a 1983 Australian mini series about a school girl who becomes involved with two teachers.[1] The adaptation is based on the novel of the same name by Australian author Thea Astley.[2]
A Descant for Gossips | |
---|---|
Genre | drama |
Based on | A Descant for Gossips by Thea Astley |
Written by | Ted Roberts Robert Stead |
Directed by | Tim Burstall |
Starring | Kaarin Fairfax Geneviève Picot Peter Carroll |
Country of origin | Australien |
Original language | Englisch |
No. of episodes | 3 |
Production | |
Producer | Erina Rayner |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | ABC |
Release | 25 September 1983 |
It was repeated in 1984.[3]
Cast
edit- Kaarin Fairfax - Vinny Lalor
- Geneviève Picot - Helen Striebel
- Peter Carroll - Robert Moller
- Louise Kan - Pearl
- Desiree Smith - Betty
- Steve Bastoni - Howard
- Keir Saltmarsh - Tommy
- Simon Chilvers - Mr. Findlay
- Anne Phelan - Mrs. Lalor
- Rona McLeod - Lillian
- Jennifer Jarman-Walker - Jess Talbot
- Rod Densley - Alex Talbot
- Kate Jason - Ruth Lunbeck
- Jeffrey Hodgson - Harold Lunbeck
- Jillian Murray - Marion Welch
- Bill Garner - Sam
- Rod Williams - Mr. Lalor
- Bruce Knappett - Mr. Jordan
- Les James - Mr. Farrelly
- Anne Charleston - Margaret
- Con Mathios - Royce
- Greg Stroud - Mike
Production
editFilm rights to the novel were sold in 1968.[4]
It was the first lead role for Fairfax who had been in I Can Jump Puddles and Starstruck.
Reception
editThe Sydney Sun Herald said the series "will have even the most unblinking insomniac snoring after the first 20 minutes - yet it has some good things going for it."[5]
The Age said "the program's strength lies in the controlled acting of Peter Carroll... and Genevieve Picot, and the inventive, quiet direction of Tim Burstall."[6]
References
edit- ^ Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p187
- ^ "Excavating a major work by Tim Burstall - A DESCANT FOR GOSSIPS viewed at the National Archives of Australia". Film Alert 101. 11 December 2016.
- ^ "ABC TV". Tribune. No. 2357. New South Wales, Australia. 28 November 1984. p. 14. Retrieved 12 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The top writer who won't go 'popular'". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 36, no. 20. Australia, Australia. 16 October 1968. p. 12. Retrieved 12 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ O'Meara, Maeve (25 September 1983). "Country town gossip tends to bore". Sydney Sun Herald. p. 67.
- ^ "Stuck in a break up". The Age. 22 September 1983. p. 32.
External links
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