’66 and All That

1 9 6 6 (Australia)
13 x 60 minute episodes

Produced in Sydney by the Australian TEN network, ’66 and All That was a vehicle for former Mavis Bramston Show star Carol Raye.

Her permanent co-stars in the series were Adelaide actor Peter Whitford and singer/dancer Barry Crocker. The three of them formed the comedy nucleus of the show. Former disc jockey Mike Walsh provided the continuity announcements.

Choreography was by Canadian Bill McGrath, who was partnered by Carlu Carter in dance routines. The orchestra was conducted by Musical Director Jack Grimsley.

The show debuted at 8.00 pm on Tuesday 8 March 1966. The Sydney Morning Herald called it “the best-produced show in Australia” and “as good as anything from overseas”.

But all was not well at Channel 10.

Both Carol Raye and choreographer Bill McGrath resigned in May, citing management indecision and lack of direction as their reasons for leaving. By the 11th week of broadcast, the station still had not renewed any contracts beyond the initial run of 13 episodes, leaving the performers and crew in the dark.

At the eleventh hour, Channel 10 suggested rolling six-week contracts, which Raye and McGrath found unacceptable.

By the middle of June, the station management announced that a new production – The Barry Crocker Show – would replace ’66 and All That from July. The contracts of Mike Walsh and Peter Whitford were not renewed.

Carol Raye died on 18 June 2022, aged 99.

Carol Raye
Barry Crocker
Peter Whitford
Mike Walsh