person or book cover
The opening title for The Godfathers (screen cap)
form y separately published work icon The Godfathers series - publisher   film/TV   humour  
Note: Series devised by Robert Bruning and Michael Laurence. All episodes were written by Michael Laurence.
Issue Details: First known date: 1971... 1971 The Godfathers
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Film Details - Bruning, Bell and Partners ; Gemini Productions ; Nine Network , 1971-1972

Producers:

Robert Bruning

Production Companies:

Bruning, Bell and Partners
Gemini Productions

Production Designers:

David Hannay (Production Manager)

Music:

Theme song written and performed by Michael Caulfield.

Cast:

1. Regular cast/characters: Robert Bruning (Chris Johnson), Eric Oldfield (Gary Peterson), Anna Volska (q.v., Maria Varga), Ashley Grenville (Mike Varga), Tina Grenville (Elizabeth Dent), Michael Laurence (Pete Fairhall), Harold Hopkins (Dave Milson), Eve Wynne (Mrs Parsons), Queenie Ashton (Mrs Frenchman).
2. Additional cast/characters incl. Brendon Lunney (Gary Peterson - pilot episode), Noel Trevarthen (Dr John Evans), Gordon Chater (Jamieson), Fay Kelton (Helen Fraser), Ronnie Burns (himself), Peter Northcote, Phillipa Baker, Tony Thurbon, Peter Whitford, Maggie Kirkpatrick, Colleen Clifford, Jacki Weaver (q.v.), Brian Henderson (as himself), Ron Haddrick, Walter Sullivan, Doris Goddard, Nolene Brown, June Salter (q.v.), Beryl Cheers, John Taylor, Gladys Anderson, Michael Laurence, Robert Gray, Benita Collings, Carlu Carter, Peter Reynolds, Hilda Scurr, Larry Crane, Gerry Duggan, Barbara Wyndon, Colin Croft, Alan Fox, Christine Liddy, Jennifer West.

Release Dates:

Premiered in Melbourne on 10 May 1971.

Location:

  • Exterior filming around Sydney's North Shore

Awards:

  • Logie Awards (1972) Best Comedy Series [winner]

Notes:

1. The pilot episode was never screened, and, due to the different cast member, could not be incorporated into the series.
2. Being produced on a very low budget (and filmed in black and white) meant that the series was forced into adopting a hectic production schedule: ten hours rehearsal, seven hours filming, four hours editing, and two hours of dubbing music. The series was nevertheless well received by audiences, even though some critics were unimpressed by its sentimentality.
3. For further details see "The Godfathers" at Classic Australian Television.

Subjects:
Settings:
  • Sydney, New South Wales,
  • ca. 1970s
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