"A Country Practice" (1981) TV series 1981-1993

Directors:

Peter Andrikidis
Helen Gaynor

Writers:

Michael Harvey (writer)
John Misto (writer) (1991)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Release Date:

November 1981 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

18 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Shane Porteous	...	Dr. Terence Elliott / ... (930 episodes, 1981-1993)
Brian Wenzel	...	Sergeant Frank Gilroy / ... (879 episodes, 1981-1993)
Joyce Jacobs	...	Esme Watson / ... (771 episodes, 1981-1993)
Lorrae Desmond	...	Shirley Dean Gilroy / ... (759 episodes, 1981-1992)
Gordon Piper	...	Bob Hatfield (693 episodes, 1981-1992)
Syd Heylen	...	Vernon 'Cookie' Locke (679 episodes, 1982-1992)
Joan Sydney	...	Matron Margaret 'Maggie' Sloan / ... (404 episodes, 1983-1993)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

ATN-7 Studios, Mobbs Lane, Epping, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

JNP Productions

Trivia:

The episode where Molly Jones dies of cancer was one of the highest rating in the series history. Although the rating system of the day was antiquated, the episode rated in the high 30s which equates to more than a 30 per cent share of all prime time viewing, across five free to air networks - in US terms, roughly equivalent to an episode of Charlie's Angels at the height of its popularity. It dominated newspaper front pages of the day, and is still one of the most discussed episodes of Australian TV.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "On the Waterfront: (#3.5)" (1989)

The best Aussie Drama Series

For 12 years A Country Practice was a regular viewing pleasure in our household. I was only 4 years old when it started but it's still clear in my mind as it was 20 years ago and now it's being shown on tv all over again for a new generation to see.

In 1994 another channel took over the production rights and it wasn't the same, some characters ventured over and some new characters were introduced but it wasn't the same and after a year it was cancelled.

Anne Tenney as Molly was a breath of fresh air and her vibrant personality and not to mention her colourful wardrobe brought humour to us all and from when the show first started in 1981 she was the heart and soul of this series and when Molly died in 1985 I cried my little heart out and the show even though continued it was surely missing Molly.

Penny Cook and Grant Dodwell were another favourite. Their will they/ won't they relationship was so frustrating that when they finally got married, every girl in Australia wanted the wedding dress Vicky wore when she finally married Simon.

It wasn't until 1989 when we got a character as likable as Molly Jones and the character was Lucy Gardiner played by Georgie Parker. When Georgie left the series a few years later again it left a gap in the show and the next 2 years left of the series wasn't the same.

But, there wasn't one bad performance in this series. When Lorrae Desmond left in 1992 it brought a tear to everyone as she was an original, and you couldn't help but love all the characters of Wandin Valley.

Syd Heylen and Gordon Piper as Cookie and Bob were the best friends who were always getting into trouble and were the definite comic relief, to the town gossip Esme Watson played by Joyce Jacobs even though she was a meddler you couldn't help but like her character.

There hasn't been another tv series quite like this and it's one that will be remembered always.