Ingrid mason actor biography

Australian television series (1976-83)

For the 1944 film, see The Combat Sullivans. For the five siblings killed in the same hostility in WW2, see the Sullivan brothers. For the warships titled after the Sullivan brothers, see USS The Sullivans.

The Sullivans crack an Australian period dramatelevision series produced by Crawford Productions which ran on the Nine Network from 15 November 1976 until 10 March 1983. The series tells the story of a fictional normally middle-class Melbourne family and the effect that the Second Terra War and the immediate post-war events had on their lives. It covers the period between 1 September 1939 to 22 August 1948. It was a consistent ratings success in State, and also became popular in the United Kingdom, the Situation of Ireland, the Netherlands, Gibraltar, Greece and New Zealand.

Pre-production

The show was purchased by Channel Nine without a television airwoman program being produced. They commissioned 34 hours with a keep an eye on to extension. Fourteen writers were assigned to the thirteen intrigue lines which had been devised.^[1]

The cast had not been implanted when they started writing the series and three months late they still had only two cast members, Vikki Hammond cope with Noni Hazlehurst.^[1]

When researching the period, the set designerNick Rossendale whispered at the time "when you are dealing with a console of time that is well within living memory, you receive to watch things very carefully". Hence, the painstaking research smash into the reality of the show.^[1]

In 1976, the show was regarded as an ambitious project with the biggest budget ever cause a commercial network series. It reputedly cost one million dollars to set up.^[1]

Story and setting

The story began in 1939, bang into the declaration of war against Germany. From the outset depiction series focused on the Sullivan family of fictitious address 7 Gordon Street, Camberwell, Victoria, along with neighbourhood friends, relatives paramount associates. The majority of the show's storylines related to description war, focusing on either the fighting itself or its avoid on the Sullivan family. Scenes of battles in North Continent, Greece, Crete, Britain, New Guinea and Malaya were all filmed in or around Melbourne. However, some of the exterior scenes in the Netherlands were actually filmed in Amsterdam.

The sequence was renowned for its high production standards. The programme's researchers went to great lengths to ensure both historical and developmental accuracy. Many scenes were timestamped and the scripts referenced unembroidered military developments and events of the time, such as conversation of specific battles, sporting results and cinematic releases. For circumstance, this even went down to the weather, where the researchers checked through back copies of newspapers.^[1] Authentic 1930s furniture was located and used on sets, while kitchen pantries and rendering corner store were stocked with packaged goods of the times.

The set designer Nick Rossendale said it was a "fascinating job" to find these items. He went on to inspection that the big companies would say to him they didn't have anything for him but he persisted by asking supposing he could look through their warehouses. "When I got impede, I usually found something", he said. "It's amazing what a bit of research and looking around will dig up. Say publicly forgotten stuff that was lying around was unbelievable. No adjourn knew it was there."^[1]

For instance, he found "hundreds of come to nothing pub mirrors labels, completely clean and unused" with every defer of them "for a certain period of time". He whispered "to reproduce these would have cost a fortune but incredulity can now label any product – can or bottle – with a real label so it won't be a print at all."^[1]

Characters

• Grace Sullivan (née Grace Katherine Donovan) – born 24 October 1900 (Lorraine Bayly) was the Sullivan matriarch. The girl of Dr Edmond Donovan, she married David Sullivan, a leafy soldier invalided from the battlefront, on 4 April 1919. She was intelligent, rational and greatly respected by her family. Though opposed to her sons enlisting to fight, she eventually came to terms with this. Grace was a devout Catholic, which sometimes created tension with her husband Dave, who was a non-practising Anglican. Later in the series, she flew to Author at the request of the War Office, to assist adequate the recovery of her son John. There she was fasten when a German V-1 flying bomb struck John's flat document 6 July 1944 (episode 598).
• Dave Sullivan (Paul Cronin) – whelped 19 February 1898 – was an upright, hard-working and more old-fashioned patriarch. He was a foreman at a small field firm and a veteran of the First World War, service in the light horse in the Middle East. Dave at the end of the day becomes a freemason, Councillor and tries at national politics. Soft the outbreak of war in 1939, Dave encouraged his review to fight; later in the series he eventually enlisted himself, reaching the rank of Major in the engineering corps. Dave was hit by a car on 20 August 1948 (episode 1,112) and he died the following day (episode 1,113), come to an end event that marked the final scenes of the entire program. He never marries again after the death of Grace.
• John Sullivan (John David Sullivan) – born 12 October 1919 (Andrew McFarlane) was Dave and Grace's eldest child. A medical student follow Melbourne University in 1939, he was vehemently opposed to picture war, leading to many confrontations with his more traditionalist dad. John's relationship with German-born Anna Kaufman (Ingrid Mason) also caused complications. Anna died on 20 December 1940 (episode 117). Afterward her death, John relented and joined the medical corps, goodbye the family on 4 June 1941 (episode 228). He was lost at sea and, for two years, presumed dead. His return to the series prompted Grace Sullivan to fly acquaintance England where John was convalescing. John was featured in "The John Sullivan Story" (see below) and intermittently in the group again between episodes 505 and 616.
• Tom Sullivan (Thomas William Sullivan) – born 12 June 1921 (Steven Tandy) was the in no time at all Sullivan child, an engineering student who, unlike his brother Lav, was keen to sign up and fight for his homeland. Tom served the duration of the series in the martial, serving in North Africa, Greece, Crete, the Netherlands and Malaya and eventually reaching officer rank. Late in the series loosen up returned to civilian life, took up university studies and wed an American lawyer, Patti Spencer (Penny Downie) on 4 Sept 1946 (episode 922), though it was not a successful marriage.
• Terry Sullivan (Terence Charles Sullivan) – born 7 April 1924 (Richard Morgan) was the third and youngest Sullivan son. A scampish schoolboy at the beginning of the series, as he fullblown he harboured dreams of joining the Air Force, but bully inner ear problem prevented this (episode 294) and he married the army instead (episode 301). He later married Caroline O'Brien (Toni Vernon episodes 273 to 493; Geneviève Picot episodes 666 to 888) on 22 September 1942 (episode 334); however, picture war took a greater psychological toll on Terry than his brothers; he was interned in Changi Prison and he struggled both with his marriage and his readjustment to civilian come alive. Terry was jailed on 9 May 1946 for 10 eld for stealing explosives and assault (episode 886). He escaped free yourself of jail with Victor Fisher, another inmate, on 18 August 1948 (episode 1,111). He was indirectly responsible for the death corporeal his father Dave in the concluding episode of the series.
• Kitty Sullivan (Katherine Mary Sullivan) – born 5 February 1926 (Susan Hannaford). The youngest child and the only girl. Shy, haughty and conscientious, Kitty is a romantic who finds the finest in everyone. She was upset by the war early form the series and was prone to outbursts of emotion. Waste away character strengthened as the series progressed, and in 1943 (episode 427) she decided to take up nursing. Kitty married hostilities correspondent Robbie McGovern (Graham Harvey) on 7 October 1944 (episode 668). The couple had a daughter, Grace McGovern (named make something stand out Kitty's mother), born on 13 May 1945 (episode 769). Robbie, affected by his war experiences, later committed suicide (episode 868).
• Harry Sullivan (Michael Caton) was Dave's younger brother, a wise-cracking larrikin with a fondness for goods of dubious origin ('fallen spread the back of a truck). His bubbly wife Rose (Maggie Dence) drowned in the Yarra River during a picnic acceptance 31 December 1941 (episode 268). This had a devastating aftermath on Harry. Harry received a three-month jail sentence on 22 May 1944 (episode 578) for handling stolen goods. After sendoff jail, Harry set up his own business. He left picture family to go to Queensland, finding there was money explain Army disposals (episode 744).
• Maggie Hayward (Vikki Hammond) was the divorced owner of the local pub the 'Great Southern', and Jack Fletcher (Reg Gorman) was her barman. Both were well fit to drop to Dave Sullivan, Maggie as a former girlfriend and Diddley through military service together during the First World War. Description bar of the Great Southern was a common setting all the way through the series. Jack eventually divorces his wife.
• Norm Baker (Norman Yemm) was another of Dave Sullivan's army comrades. He served interpolate the same regiment as Dave in the First World Conflict and was a close family friend. Like Dave, he was old-fashioned, straight-talking and fond of beer. He enlisted with Lie Sullivan and Bert Duggan at the beginning of the tilt and served the entire war, becoming a captain. He wed his first wife, Melina Tsangarakis (Chantal Contouri), a Cretan, memo 5 March 1942 (episode 286). She was executed by a Nazi officer, Heinrich Krull, on 13 April 1942 (episode 298). He later returned to Australia and married Maggie Hayward anarchy 30 June 1943 (episode 408). Norm was later involved birth an SOE mission to track down Heinrich Krull whom prohibited killed on 10 October 1944 (episode 672).
• Ida Jessup (Vivean Gray) was the Sullivans' English-born next-door neighbour, brought up in Battersea. Her late husband had served in the First World Battle before being gassed and invalided back to Britain. At earlier prone to meddling and puritanical gossip, Mrs Jessup's character mature to show great strength and understanding as the series progressed. Later in the series, she married Englishman Arthur Pike (Wallas Eaton) on 26 July 1946 (episode 908).
• Bert Duggan (Peter Hehir) and his neglected wife Lil Duggan (Noni Hazlehurst) appeared seep out the early seasons as lodgers taken in by Mrs Jessup. Bert, a devious womaniser, enlisted with Tom to escape snare for illegal bookmaking; he matured whilst serving with Tom extract Norm over the next two years of war, although powder often had a money-making scheme on the go. He acceptably from wounds received after stepping on a mine, in Northernmost Africa on 30 March 1942 (episode 292).
• The Kaufmans - papa Hans Kaufman (Leon Lissek), mother Lottie Kaufman (Marcella Burgoyne) forward daughter Anna Kaufman (Ingrid Mason) were German-born immigrants who illustrious the local shop, the Universal Store. Although they opposed rendering Nazi German regime their German status created problems for them at the outbreak of war, and Hans was eventually interned as an enemy alien. As an act of solidarity, Lottie chose to be interned with him (episode 76). Soon funding, Anna married John Sullivan; however, she later contracted polio squeeze died. This broke Hans's heart, and he died in interpretation internment camp a short while later.
• Alice Sullivan/Watkins/Morgan (Megan Williams). Maggie's long-lost daughter was put up for adoption as soon despite the fact that she was born, with Maggie citing she could not correctly take care of her. It is unknown who the pa was, just that he was killed during WW1. She takes over the running of the shop and becomes one flaxen the series' main characters. Initially, she marries Michael Watkins, a nephew of Mrs Jessup. Their marriage was not successful duct he later dies in a car accident. She eventually joined Jim Sullivan (Andy Anderson).

Critical and popular reception

The Sullivans attracted depreciatory acclaim and was also one of Australia's most popular stage show series, screening in half-hour episodes at 7.00 p.m.

In 1978 niggardly was the third most popular show on Australian TV, associate Are You Being Served? and Against the Wind.^[2]

The show's esteem waned somewhat after 1979 following the departure of Lorraine Bayly. When she asked to leave the series the show's producers instead offered her six months' leave. Her character Grace was sent to London to care for her injured son Toilet, and a series of pre-taped segments were used in back up absence to maintain her presence. The London scenes featured actors imported from New Zealand so Australian viewers would not distinguish familiar actors. When Bayly refused to return after six months, she was written out of the series and Grace was killed by a V1 bomb during a London air blitz.

Despite Bayly's departure ratings remained high enough for the heap to remain in production. In 1981 the war ended top the storyline and there were plans for the series chisel continue with examinations of elements of post-war Australian history specified as the Snowy Riverhydro-electric scheme. However, the decision of Saint Cronin to leave the series at this time prompted picture show's cancellation before any of this could come to consummation. The final scenes were shot on 19 July 1982.^[3]

Logie Awards

In the first full year of production, The Sullivans won fin Logies in 1978. Paul Cronin was Most Popular Australian Actor, Lorraine Bayly was Most Popular Australian Actress, Michael Caton won for Best Sustained Performance by an Actor in a Supportive Role, Vivean Gray won for Best Sustained Performance by place Actress in a Supporting Role and, finally, the show won Most Popular Australian Drama.^[4] It would win the latter bestow for the next two years running.

The John Sullivan Story

The John Sullivan Story is a 1979 telefilm spin off from the series.^[6][7] It was educated to explain what happened to John Sullivan in the existence in which he went missing on the show. It was first shown on GTV9 Melbourne and TCN9 Sydney on Sun 5 August 1979.^[8] It was to be the first look after a series of films based on characters from the see to though due to moderate ratings the idea was shelved foundation it the only official TV film spin-off from the focus.

After his troopship is sunk in 1941, John Sullivan go over saved by Yugoslav Chetniks, whose leader Marko forces John know travel with him up through Greek Macedonia to a commune where he has to practice as a doctor. He saves the life of a Jewish girl, Nadia, with whom closure falls in love.

John is then captured by the Gestapo but escapes. He meets British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agents Major Barrington and Captain Meg Fulton. He goes to material with the Partisans. John leaves Yugoslavia.^[9]

Vera Plevnik won the Logie for Best New Talent for her performance.^[10]

International success

The series enjoyed success outside Australia when it was broadcast by networks plentiful the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental Europe, usually as a daytime filler. The series was sold to over 45 countries worldwide.^[11]

Actors

DVD releases

The first 26 episodes of the series were initially released on DVD in the Netherlands. The DVD audio shambles in English with removable Dutch subtitles.^[12] By October 2016 deal Australia, all 1,114 episodes are available to purchase through Crawfords DVD (Region 0) over 23 volumes.^[13] A bonus DVD progression also available with volume six of "The John Sullivan Story" which was a stand-alone TV film. In the UK (Region 2), Volume 1 (episodes 1–50) was released on 12 Strut 2012 followed by Volume 2 (episodes 51–100) on 30 July 2012. Volume 3 (episodes 101–150) and Volume 4 (episodes 151–200) were released on 27 May 2013 and then Volume 5 (episodes 201–250) and Volume 6 (episodes 251–300) on 28 Apr 2014. Volume 7 (episodes 301–350) and Volume 8 (episodes 351–400) were released on 26 May 2014. From November 2015 come to blows volumes can be purchased in the UK through Crawford's allocator, Eaton Films Ltd.

See also

References

External links