Based on a 1947 novel by Jon Cleary and adapted and serialised for television by Richard Lane, this gritty drama series from Australia’s Seven Network followed Frankie McCoy (Ken Shorter), who is conscripted into the army, decides to go AWOL rather than be sent to Vietnam, and becomes a deserter and illegal SP bookmaker.
Filmed in the working-class inner-city suburb of Newtown, the series launched the career of 19-year-old Brisbane actress Rowena Wallace, who played Frankie’s girlfriend, Margie.
When Margie leaves him, and Frankie finds himself in debt to some local criminals, he drifts into the arms of the sexually liberated – but deeply neurotic – Myra (Carmen Duncan), with disastrous results when he accidentally kills her in a blazing row.
Much of the action revolved around a Newtown pub known as Patto’s – named after the publican Mick Patterson (Slim DeGrey) – which was the regular haunt of Frankie, Peeper (David Copping) and the Glebe gang.
The show was hugely popular but raised a furore in some circles because of its uncompromising approach to moral issues.
The Australian Broadcasting Control Board made a particular fuss about a fumbled skirt-lifting in a scene of attempted seduction in a park in the opening episode, which apparently distressed “responsible viewers”.
Following the success of the television series, a colour feature film version was released in 1969, with the same principal cast and director (David Cahill).
Frankie McCoy
Ken Shorter Margie Harris
Rowena Wallace Mick ‘Patto’ Patterson
Slim DeGrey Vi Patterson
Audrey Teesdale Mrs McCoy
Lyndall Barbour Jack Kelly
John Armstrong Peg Clancy
Derani Scarr Dimitris
Andrew Pappas Myra Neilson
Carmen Duncan Ern McCauliffe
Reg Evans Danny
John Norman Chopper
Aarne Neeme Gerry Dooley
Sandy Harbutt Peeper
David Copping Terry Howlett
Vincent Gil Fred
Tina Cornioley Nugget
Lou Vernon Karen
Helen Morse Lisa
Darlene Johnson Linda
Sheila Kennelly Young Man
Garry McDonald Landlady
Mary McKay Smacker
Les Asmussen Julian
Sean Myers Sergeant Quinn
Peter Aanensen Peter
Henri Szeps
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When Margie leaves him, and Frankie finds himself in debt to some local criminals, he drifts into the arms of the sexually liberated – but deeply neurotic – Myra (Carmen Duncan), with disastrous results when he accidentally kills her in a blazing row.
