The Sullivans

The Sullivans was an Australian made drama television series which ran from 1976 until 1983. It was set in Melbourne, and told the story of an average middle-class family and the effect World War II had on their lives.

Related Topics:
Australia - Drama - Television series - 1976 - 1983 - Melbourne - World War II

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It was a consistent ratings success in Australia, and also became popular in the United Kingdom.

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The story began in 1939, with the declaration of war against Germany. It starred Lorraine Bayly and Paul Cronin as Grace and Dave Sullivan, with their children played by Andrew McFarlane as John, Stephen Tandy as Tom, Richard Morgan as Terry and Susan Hannaford as Kitty. Actor Reg Gorman played the pub barman, Jack while Norman Yemm played Norm Baker, a close family friend, and Vivian Grey was Ida Jessup, an interfering neighbour. Key settings in the series were the Sullivan family home in Gordon Street, Camberwell, the 'Great Southern', a local hotel, and a corner store.

Related Topics:
1939 - Germany - Lorraine Bayly - Paul Cronin - Andrew McFarlane - Stephen Tandy - Richard Morgan - Susan Hannaford - Reg Gorman - Norman Yemm - Vivian Grey - Camberwell

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The majority of The Sullivans' storylines related to the war, focussing either on its impacts on the family, or through locally-filmed scenes of fighting in northern Africa, Greece, Crete, Holland, England, New Guinea and Malaya. All male members of the Sullivan family enlisted in the armed forces at some point in the series; one son (John) was lost at sea but was later found fighting alongside Jewish partisans in the Middle East.

Related Topics:
Africa - Greece - Crete - Holland - England - New Guinea - Malaya - Jewish

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The Sullivans attracted critical acclaim but was also one of Australia's most popular drama series, screening in half-hour blocks at 7pm. Its popularity waned in 1979 following the departure of Lorraine Bayly (her character was 'killed off' by a German V1 bomb while in London). The series was axed in 1983, however it enjoyed global success after being purchased by networks in Britain and Europe as a daytime filler.

Related Topics:
1979 - V1

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Among the many short term cast members who worked on the series during its run, were several newcomers who later established successful careers, including Mel Gibson, Kerry Armstrong, Kylie Minogue and Dannii Minogue, Sam Neill, Gary Sweet and Sigrid Thornton.

Related Topics:
Mel Gibson - Kerry Armstrong - Kylie Minogue - Dannii Minogue - Sam Neill - Gary Sweet - Sigrid Thornton

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