person or book cover
Ty Hardin as Moss Andrews (screen cap from opening episode)
form y separately published work icon Riptide series - publisher   film/TV   adventure  
Note: The above list includes only those Australian script-writers who worked on Riptide. The program also employed a number of British script-writers. For a more comprehensive list, please see the list of episodes below.
Issue Details: First known date: 1969... 1969 Riptide
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Developed by Guy Thayer as a co-production between Artransa Park Studios and Trans Pacific Enterprises, Riptide starred American actor Ty Hardin (former star of the western series Bronco, which ran from 1958 to 1962) as Moss Andrews, an American businessman who travels to Australia after the sudden death of his Australian wife, and works through his bereavement by assisting his father-in-law in operating a charter-boat business, a purpose that is frequently thwarted as he crosses the paths of various villains.

Apart from Hardin, the cast was Australian, including such short-lived roles as medical student Neil Winton, his girlfriend Judy Plenderleith, and Moss's father-in-law Barney Duncan (whose character disappeared when the actor portraying him died during the series' run). (See notes below for more details on Australian guest stars.)

According to Don Storey in Australian Classic Television, the series cost around $70,000 an episode, and made extensive use of expensive props (largely nautical, but also including cars and helicopters). However, the plots were frequently stigmatised as ridiculous: Storey notes that 'These comments are quite valid - the plots in Riptide are ridiculous', but Moran, in his Guide to Australian TV Series, counters that 'it did not deserve these brickbats. It is a reasonably entertaining adventure series in the tradition of Adventures in Paradise'.

Notes

  • Episodes of Riptide are available to view on YouTube, beginning with episode one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2vDma79p2U (Sighted: 6/10/2011)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Frenchs Forest, Killarney Heights - Frenchs Forest area, Sydney Northeastern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,: Artransa Park Studios , 1969 .
      person or book cover
      Riptide title (screen cap from opening episode)
      Extent: 26x60 min.p.
      Description: Produced on film, in colour (aired in black and white)
Last amended 3 Aug 2012 12:52:36
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