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The spaceship from The Stranger, which was carefully vetted for plausibility by the CSIRO (screen cap from episode 12).
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Issue Details: First known date: 1964-1965... 1964-1965 The Stranger
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Film Details - Australian Broadcasting Commission , 1964-1965

Producers:

Storry Walton.

Production Companies:

Australian Broadcasting Commission.

Director of Photography:

Bill Grimmond.

Editors:

Rob Adamson and Bill Pugh.

Production Designers:

Geoffrey Wedlock.

Cast:

John Fraser (Mr Walsh), Jessica Noad (Mrs Walsh), Bill Levis (Bernard Walsh), Janice Dinnen (Jean Walsh), Michael Thomas (Peter Cannon), Ron Haddrick (Adam ‘The Stranger’ Suisse), Reginald Livermore (Varossa), Owen Wenigott (Professor Mayer), and Chips Rafferty (Prime Minister).

Release Dates:

Episode one aired on 5 April 1964.

Location:

  • Filmed in various locations throughout New South Wales, including the Radio Telescope at Parkes and St Paul's University College in Sydney, and in Canberra. The climactic scene in episode twelve showed the Soshunissian spaceship landing on the steps of Sydney Town Hall.

Notes:

Script assistant: Frances Carr-Boyd.

List of episodes

Note: These synopses are taken from the Radio Times, on the series' broadcast in the UK in 1965 and 1966. The BBC only broadcast five episodes in series one and six in series two.

Series one

1. (Broadcast in Australia on 5 April 1964)

On a wild and stormy night a stranger is found at St. Michael's School. He is unable to remember his name or whence he came. Who is the mystery man? (Radio Times, 4 August 1966, p.30)

2. (Broadcast in Australia on 12 April 1964)

Bernie, Jean, and Peter discover a library ticket in the Blue Mountains and this is followed by a much greater discovery. (Radio Times, 11 August 1966, p.28)

3. (Broadcast in Australia on 19 April 1964)

While Mr. Walsh confers with the police, Jean, Bernie, and Peter have left the Bush on an incredible journey. (Radio Times, 18 August 1966, p.28)

4. (Broadcast in Australia on 26 April 1964)

Bernie, Jean, and Peter enlist the help of Professor Mayer, the satellite expert, but find themselves compelled to take desperate measures. (Radio Times, 25 August 1966, p.28)

5. (Broadcast in Australia on 3 May 1964)

Jean and the boys return from Soshuniss, and Security in Canberra takes over. (Radio Times, 1 September 1966, p.28)

6. (Broadcast in Australia on 10 May 1964)

[No synopsis available.]

Series two

1. (Broadcast in Australia on 20 June 1965)

Adam's mission to get agreement for the people of Soshuniss to live on earth seems to have failed,but can Bernie, Peter, and Jean help Adam and Varossa to get back to their home? (Radio Times, 8 September 1966, p.29)

2. (Broadcast in Australia on 27 June 1965)

The story of the trip made by Bernie and Peter to the planet of Soshuniss has leaked out to the press and there is great confusion at the United Nations in New York and Australia. (Radio Times, 15 September 1966, p.33)

3. (Broadcast in Australia on 4 July 1965)

The richest man in the world tries to bribe Professor Mayer for the details of his trip to Soshuniss, and Peter is held as a hostage on the planet. (Radio Times, 22 September 1966, p.31)

4. (Broadcast in Australia on 11 July 1965)

The family are evacuated to the radio telescope station at Parkes and are followed by Lindenberger's assistant. (Radio Times, 29 September 1966, p.35)

5. (Broadcast in Australia on 18 July 1965)

Peter is found in a coma at Canberra and Lindenberger moves in for a showdown. (Radio Times, 6 October 1966, p.35)

6. (Broadcast in Australia on 25 July 1965)

Bernie is pursued by Blake and a thrilling chase takes place on the dish of the reactor. (Radio Times, 13 October 1966, p.35)


Settings:
  • Sydney, New South Wales,
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