SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS - Episode 8 - "Yarrahappini"
SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS - Episode 8 - "Yarrahappini"
Originally broadcast 14th October 1973
SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS was a 10 part television mini-series based on Ethel Turner's best selling 1894 novel that aired on ABCTV in 1973 between 26th August to 28th October 1973 winning a Gold Logie for Best New Drama in 1974.
Story synopsis - Klassic 1880s Australian drama concerning a strict army widower taking on a new wife & attempt to control difficult situations caused by seven mischievous children.
Cast - Barbara Llewellyn as Meg Woolcot
Mark Clark as Pip Woolcot
Anna Hruby as Nell Woolcot
Jennifer Cluff as Judy Woolcot
Tania Falla as Baby Woolcot
Mark Shields-Brown as Bunty Woolcot
Christian Robinson as The General
Leonard Teale as Captain John Woolcot
Elizabeth Alexander as Esther Woolcot
Ruth Cracknell as Martha
Produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in association with ETHEL TURNER PRODUCTIONS and the AUSTRALIAN FILM DEVELOPMENT PRODUCTION
Television soundtrack composed by Bruce Smeaton
Arranged by Geoff Hales and Bruce Smeaton
Played by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Original story by Ethel Turner & Adapted by Eleanor Witcombe
Executive Producer - Charles Russell
Directed by Ron Way
Originally broadcast 14th October 1973
SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS was a 10 part television mini-series based on Ethel Turner's best selling 1894 novel that aired on ABCTV in 1973 between 26th August to 28th October 1973 winning a Gold Logie for Best New Drama in 1974.
Story synopsis - Klassic 1880s Australian drama concerning a strict army widower taking on a new wife & attempt to control difficult situations caused by seven mischievous children.
Cast - Barbara Llewellyn as Meg Woolcot
Mark Clark as Pip Woolcot
Anna Hruby as Nell Woolcot
Jennifer Cluff as Judy Woolcot
Tania Falla as Baby Woolcot
Mark Shields-Brown as Bunty Woolcot
Christian Robinson as The General
Leonard Teale as Captain John Woolcot
Elizabeth Alexander as Esther Woolcot
Ruth Cracknell as Martha
Produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in association with ETHEL TURNER PRODUCTIONS and the AUSTRALIAN FILM DEVELOPMENT PRODUCTION
Television soundtrack composed by Bruce Smeaton
Arranged by Geoff Hales and Bruce Smeaton
Played by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Original story by Ethel Turner & Adapted by Eleanor Witcombe
Executive Producer - Charles Russell
Directed by Ron Way
Category
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TVTranscript
01:00When the train had drawn away from the platform, leaving John looking so alone and forlorn,
01:16I had wanted to jump out and stay with him.
01:18But five minutes later, I realized, guiltily, I was already forgetting the cares and joys
01:24of dear old Miss Rule.
01:26I was going home with my enormous, noisy family of seven, going home through the night to
01:32Yarra Happiny and the sunshine.
01:36Well, so far there wasn't much evidence of sunshine, but there was the warmth and happiness
01:41awaiting us all.
01:42Mamma, did you have a good trip?
01:58What pity about the rain!
02:05We thought we'd been forgot and they got fog.
02:07Oh, Mamma, you look wonderful!
02:09You're a bit pale, my girl, and too skinny.
02:12We'll soon fix that.
02:14How's John? What a shame he couldn't come, too.
02:16He sends his respects.
02:18No sense in just standing there.
02:20What they all need now, I wager, is a rattling good tuck-in.
02:23Come along. Let us them wait.
02:26Come on. You can have a bit of a spin.
02:28Then you'll feel better.
02:30There's so much for you to see here.
02:32I've made the beds up on the little swing.
02:35I think you'll like them.
02:41Tremendous, isn't it?
02:43Dear old wicked stepmother.
02:45Fancy leaving all this for Father.
02:47And us.
02:48She's mad.
03:08Meg! Meg, wake up!
03:13Esther and Pip!
03:20She never rode like that at home.
03:22Wouldn't she have shown up father?
03:24He'd have been furious.
03:26She's riding astride.
03:28Come on, now, baby, wake up!
03:31Mel, wake up!
04:02Hey, you're missing all the fun.
04:04We've been bringing in the horses.
04:06Grandpa says we can choose one each.
04:08I'd like him.
04:10She's all yours, young'un.
04:17Here's a beauty, Fiz.
04:19Can I have this one, Grandad?
04:21As long as you're here, they're yours.
04:23Good iron.
04:24On one condition.
04:26When you go out riding, Mr Gillard goes with you.
04:28In case of accidents.
04:30Is he looking after?
04:31I know you don't.
04:33But this can be a cruel country.
04:34And Gillard's a good horseman.
04:36Who's Gillard?
04:37He's our storekeeper.
04:38You've got a store, too!
04:41But it's locked!
04:42You'll have to ask Mr Gillard for the keys.
04:44In the cottage over there.
04:45Meg, would you?
04:46Oh, but I don't know.
04:48Oh, come on!
04:52Mind your manners, now!
04:54Poor Dick.
04:55I hope he can cope with an invasion.
04:57Is he still the same?
04:59Afraid so.
05:00That terrible affliction.
05:04Pip, we can't all go trailing in.
05:06All right.
05:07We'll stay here.
05:08You two go ahead.
05:13Come in.
05:22Good morning.
05:24Oh, you must be the...
05:25I'm Helen Woolcock.
05:26This is my sister, Meg.
05:28Mrs Hassell sent us for the keys to the storeroom.
05:32Certainly.
05:33Please, come in.
05:38I apologise about the disorder.
05:40I haven't yet got around to my housework.
05:42I'm sorry.
05:43We've interrupted your breakfast.
05:44Not at all.
05:45Please make yourself at home.
05:47I won't give you a moment.
05:51Look at all these books.
05:52Shakespeare, Shelley, Tennyson, Wordsworth.
05:55Do you think he reads it?
05:59I gave her my first bird.
06:01When first my voice it knew.
06:03I made her share my posies rare.
06:06And told her where they grew.
06:08I taught her God's dear name.
06:11God's worthy praise to tell.
06:13She looked from heaven into my face and said,
06:16I love thee well.
06:18Margaret.
06:19Margaret.
06:22The romants are rather indifferent, Margaret, no doubt.
06:26You are fond of poetry, Miss Wilcott.
06:28Yes.
06:29Yes, I am.
06:30Especially Mr Browning.
06:33Perhaps you would like to borrow this?
06:36I should love to.
06:38I'll take great care of it.
06:41Thank you very much.
06:43Which is the key?
06:45Here you are.
06:47Come on, Meg.
06:49This is the first time we've seen a store, this sort of store.
06:55Thank you, Mr Gillard.
06:56My pleasure.
06:58And I do hope you enjoy your holiday here at Yannahapi, Miss Wilcott.
07:10Wow, it's a store.
07:13A real one.
07:14Like Ali Baba's cave.
07:16Open sesame.
07:17Looks like enough here to last a lifetime.
07:19Oh, goodness no.
07:20We have to replenish the stocks every six months at least.
07:23You mean all this goes in six months?
07:25For instance, now that we have Bunty here with us, we may have to restock in a couple of weeks.
07:30I didn't think you'd mind.
07:32You've got a whole box full.
07:33We've only got a jar at home.
07:35Bunty.
07:36Oh, we've plenty to spare.
07:38Do you like figs?
07:40Imagine owning an entire store.
07:42Wish I could live here.
07:44Oh, you'll have to see Mr Gillard about that.
07:46He's terribly romantic and handsome, isn't he?
07:48Oh, he's a very cultured and well-educated man.
07:51I believe he went to Oxford University and his father's a baronet.
07:55What's he doing way out here?
07:56Oh, poor man.
07:57He's had a very lonely and unhappy life.
08:00Why?
08:01Oh, ill health.
08:03Something like that.
08:04I think it makes him lose confidence in himself.
08:07Or something, you know.
08:09Oh, baby dear, do be careful.
08:11Look where my dolly's.
08:13Ever did.
08:14Wonga's little ones.
08:15Mr Gillard is the first gentleman I've ever met who reads poetry.
08:19And can even quote it.
08:22He lent me his Browning.
08:28He looked from heaven into my face and said,
08:32I love thee well.
08:36He's remarkable, isn't he?
08:38Well, I think perhaps you'd better go and look for the baby lambs now, don't you?
08:50Woo!
09:03Woo!
09:07Woo!
09:11Woo!
09:20Woo!
09:26Woo!
09:29Woo!
09:31Woo!
09:33Woo!
09:35Woo!
09:43Woo!
09:49Well, this was the last of the wood.
10:09It's about as cheerful as a cemetery in here.
10:15Like I said, that's the end of the wood.
10:22This way is until you pay the woodman for the last lot.
10:24Dammit, woman, you're supposed to be looking after the housekeeping.
10:26Pay the man.
10:27What with?
10:28I'd tell you if Mrs. was here.
10:29Well, she's not.
10:31So kindly curb your impertinence and tend the fire.
10:34All right.
10:35Seeing as how you have two broken arms.
10:43Cold, dark, cheerless house without them.
10:53Notice you got a letter today.
10:54She say when they're coming back, the missus?
10:58I am told they have never been happier.
11:01Well, they're together, that's why.
11:04I could have told you all along you was wrong wanting to send that poor girl to boarding school.
11:09Anyone would know that.
11:11Indeed.
11:12May I suggest that you take your opinions and your chattering tongue back to where they belong and leave me in peace?
11:17I wouldn't blame some people if they never wanted to come home.
11:43Oh, come on, you two.
11:48Goodness sake, Judy, keep in sight.
11:50Let's have a gallop.
11:51Race you both to the other side of the hill.
11:53I've had enough.
11:54I want to rest.
11:55Oh, back soon.
11:56Be careful.
12:01There's a high-spirited lady.
12:03Yes.
12:04You'd never think she was so ill just a few weeks ago.
12:07She was no doubt fortunate in having a devoted nurse and her kind-hearted sister.
12:15You remind me of my little sister.
12:19She had the same sweetness and strength when one needed it.
12:23Well, you will, too.
12:24Oh, in a manner of speaking.
12:26Perhaps if she'd lived, I might have been cured.
12:29My life would not have been so ineffectual.
12:31Oh, I don't think you're at all ineffectual.
12:35Perhaps I'm like those people who need the faith of a woman to spare him on.
12:40Whither is fled the visionary gleam?
12:43Where is it now, the glory, the dream?
12:47Oh, Mr. Gillett, I have the most tremendous faith in you.
12:52Such faith and such sweetness, my dear, will one day make some man feel he can conquer the world.
13:01No, don't.
13:02Leave it.
13:04You look quite enchanting.
13:07Come, don't be afraid of compliments.
13:10They are your jewel.
13:12I shall keep this as a token of your faith.
13:15May I?
13:16Hey, we'll never get to the waterfall if you stay here all day.
13:19Come on, you two.
13:35Fancy having the wedding right here in this house.
13:38And Esther looking a picture, all in white.
13:41And your father all dressed up in his best uniform.
13:44Where did he stand?
13:45Just there.
13:47He looked very handsome.
13:49And very nervous.
13:51So was I.
13:53Where is everyone this afternoon?
13:55Pip can't be dragged away from that shearing shed.
13:57Evidently Mulligan's trying for a new record.
13:59And I suppose Bunty's trying for a new record.
14:01Evidently Mulligan's trying for a new record.
14:03And I suppose Bunty's off in the bush somewhere with young Jackie.
14:06Seems they have a good basis for a lasting friendship there.
14:10Yes, a mutual delight in gorging themselves.
14:13Oh.
14:15I can guess where Meg is.
14:16I wonder if she'll be married here too.
14:18Oh, is she planning an early wedding?
14:20I shouldn't be surprised.
14:22It's all terribly romantic, isn't it?
14:24What is?
14:25Being so terribly in love.
14:27And she'd be a lady, wouldn't she?
14:29A lady?
14:30Lady Gillett.
14:31Oh, you've been too busy to notice.
14:33But I have.
14:34I do hope she decides to get married here.
14:36No.
14:38Oh, you do talk nonsense.
14:41Ah! Ah! Ah!
14:44Easy, easy!
14:46Stop it! Stop it!
14:48Oh, dear.
14:49Bunty!
14:50Oh, you awful horrid thing!
14:52Take it away from me, Gawanna.
14:53It's dead.
14:54And so will you be, young man, if you don't get rid of it this instant.
14:57Jackie called it. It's his.
14:59Good tucker. We'll catch two or three more.
15:01Good tucker for tonight.
15:02Oh!
15:03Here, like the first bite?
15:04Bunty!
15:21Mulligan's going to make it, ain't he, Pip?
15:30What about this one?
15:42Lady on the board!
15:46Havoy! Judy!
15:48What do you want in here, girl?
15:49I only want to see Pip.
15:54Come out of here, quickly!
15:56I only wanted to ask you...
15:57What the dickens do you mean, barging onto the board, you complete idiot?
16:00I told you not to.
16:01There's no need to shout.
16:03You saw what you did. Mulligan was crying for a record.
16:05Oh, shut up about your stupid shearers.
16:07Ever since they came, you've been going on about them.
16:09Mulligan happens to be the finest shearer in the state.
16:12He said he'd teach me.
16:13Well, I'd like to murder all those stupid sheep.
16:17You haven't been for a ride with me for ages.
16:19Why can't you come?
16:21Because I don't want to.
16:23For heaven's sake, Fiz, have some sense and stay away from where you don't belong.
16:26You embarrass me.
16:28All right, then go back to your sheep.
16:30You're getting as silly as they are.
16:38Well, now you know as much about station bookkeeping as I do.
16:42I never realized it was so complicated.
16:46Thank you for being so terribly patient.
16:49It has been my pleasure.
16:51I envy you, Miss Meg.
16:53I envy you, Miss Meg.
16:55You are blessed with a well-organized mind.
16:58You are a remarkable young woman.
17:00Not nearly as remarkable as you.
17:04I mean, your education, everything.
17:07Anyone can acquire education.
17:09What you have is something, a quality that is born in one.
17:13I envy you that also.
17:17I thought I'd find you here.
17:19Can't we go for a ride?
17:21Don't be, dear. Don't be tiresome.
17:23Mr. Gillett's very busy. Do run along.
17:25No, really.
17:27Oh, don't be so jammy.
17:29You'd like to go for a ride, wouldn't you, Mr. Gillett?
17:32Alas, this afternoon I fear time has caught up with me.
17:36And I do have some work to do.
17:38But I promise tomorrow.
17:42If you and Miss Meg will excuse me, I must put these things away.
17:46Of course. I'm sorry I've taken up so much of your time.
17:50It's been an invaluable help. I'm most grateful.
17:56Julie!
17:58How could you?
18:00You have been an invaluable help.
18:03I am most plumbly grateful.
18:05What is the matter with you?
18:07Why must you insist everyone does exactly what you want?
18:10I don't.
18:11You do, all the time.
18:13Why must you be so childish?
18:15Why don't you grow up?
18:21Meg, I'm sorry.
18:23You're making me look so...
18:25so childish in front of a man like that.
18:28I didn't.
18:30You did.
18:31Well, why do you have to put on all those silly aims?
18:34Just because you've gone completely mushy about him?
18:37All you do all day is moon around, quoting stupid books.
18:40You've got nothing better to do.
18:42I've got nothing better to do.
18:44I've got nothing better to do.
18:46I've got nothing better to do.
18:48All you do all day is moon around, quoting stupid poetry,
18:51trying to make out you're so grown up.
18:53I am grown up.
18:56Go away. Just go away.
19:09Meg, dear, I'm sorry, but I couldn't help overhearing.
19:13Meg, don't you think perhaps you're seeing too much of Mr. Gillett?
19:17You're taking it all too seriously.
19:20Esther, I don't know what you're talking about.
19:24Darling, I know Dick Gillett can be a very attractive man.
19:28I know how impressionable you are.
19:31Oh, Meg, I...
19:33I just don't want you to be hurt.
19:36Why should I be hurt?
19:39I don't want you to fall in love with him.
19:43Oh, Meg, you're so young.
19:45You're only four years older than me.
19:47And you were 17 when you were married.
19:52Darling, Dick Gillett is unstable.
19:56He's not.
19:58It's just because you and everyone keeps telling him he is.
20:01He needs someone to believe in him.
20:03Really, Meg?
20:05And I know I can help him. I know.
20:07And if he asks me to marry him, I shall.
20:10If he asks me to marry him, I shall. So there.
20:31Esther, what's wrong with everyone?
20:34I don't know, Juju.
20:36Perhaps it's the inevitable.
20:38You're all growing up.
20:40I don't want to grow up, Missy.
20:49No sign of him yet.
20:52Your young lady's waiting for Gillett.
20:54We were supposed to go riding.
20:56I'm afraid I've had to send him off on business to another property for three or four days.
20:59Well, if Pip comes, can we still go riding?
21:01I don't think you'll get him away from the shed.
21:03It's the last days of shearing.
21:04Oh, curse his silly shearing.
21:06Where's Jody?
21:07Oh, well, it'll soon all be over.
21:12Why would he do that?
21:13Who, Grandpa?
21:14Mr. Gillett.
21:16He wouldn't go off without even saying goodbye.
21:18Oh, I'd say good riddance.
21:20Oh.
21:34Good work, Pip.
21:35Go on, boys.
21:36Go on, boys.
21:49Me help the boss in the store.
21:51Where Mr. Gillett then?
21:52You there?
21:53Mr. Gillett going on bust again.
21:55We've been so good all this time.
21:57We've got to go bust again.
22:00That so?
22:02Mr. Gillett no good for store work.
22:04Yesterday, today, plenty mad.
22:08Poor Mr. Gillett.
22:09He got to get ill.
22:11Maybe I take him some soup now.
22:14You think he feel better?
22:16He too sick.
22:18You stay away.
22:20When he go bust again, he pretty bad.
22:35Mr. Gillett?
22:36Huh?
22:37Mr. Gillett?
22:38Yeah.
22:50I heard you were ill again.
22:53I wanted to help.
22:55Oh, please, Mr. Gillett, let me.
22:58Help?
23:00What help?
23:01Mr. Gillett, let me.
23:03Help?
23:06You help?
23:07Sweet little innocence.
23:12Go away, little girl.
23:15Go away.
23:18Let me get on with it.
23:20Being ill.
23:22Being very, very ill.
23:32Oh.
23:45Aren't they lovely?
23:47Mama, we'll have to think about going home.
23:50Oh, what nonsense, you've been here hardly any time at all.
23:53John will be missing us.
23:55Oh, surely the heavens above, the man can look after himself for a few more weeks.
23:58I miss him too, you know.
24:00Well, not until after the Musgraves' ball next week, and then think about it, hey?
24:04The big gum at Crangy Batu came down last night.
24:07Not King Khoury?
24:09Beautiful tree, and as old as the hills.
24:11Oh, what a shame.
24:13Poor old King Khoury.
24:15Oh, well, at the end of him.
24:17Oh, we'll use him to reinforce the dam and the creek.
24:20Although one day next week we'll...
24:24What's this?
24:25My mail order catalogue, now leave it alone.
24:28Hey, you sent for the dress then, did you?
24:31Essie, you'll look like a princess in it.
24:33Deal.
24:34What dress?
24:36What are you talking about?
24:37It was going to be a surprise for the Musgraves' ball.
24:40It should come with the next mail.
24:42Oh, Mama, it's lovely.
24:45It had better be.
24:46I wouldn't have asked you to go with me if you weren't going to be the belle of the ball.
24:48Oh, thank you.
24:50Thank you both.
24:52I haven't been to a ball since I was married, and my last ballgum was...
24:55Was the one we gave you on your 17th birthday.
24:58I know.
24:59Oh, Mama.
25:00Oh, couldn't we all go?
25:01You and the children as well.
25:02Oh, they'd love it.
25:03The whole seven?
25:05I suppose we could take Meg.
25:06Well, I was thinking of Meg.
25:07Oh, Essie, be a girl yourself again.
25:11For one day at least.
25:13No, I'll stay home and hold the fort,
25:15and the children can perhaps go on a picnic.
25:17That's an idea.
25:19Send them on the bullock dray to Crangibber too.
25:21It'll take the blokes all day to move that tree.
25:23They can get off at Brown's Shack and have a picnic.
25:26I'll send Dick to look after them.
25:28Will he be back from wherever he was supposed to have gone by then?
25:33I'm afraid Meg saw him, Dadda.
25:35She was rather upset.
25:37He was disgusting.
25:39I think you should have told me.
25:47Don't judge a man too harshly, girlie.
25:50Everyone's got his imperfections.
25:54And in the sum total, Dick Gillett's a good man.
26:01Well, I suppose I'd better go and check on those bullocks.
26:04Oh, if you've still got the keys to the storeroom,
26:06there are one or two things Abby wants this afternoon.
26:20Meg, dear, try to forget it.
26:22How can I?
26:24I thought he was so...
26:26so different.
26:28So noble and fine.
26:31I know.
26:33I'm sorry, Megsy.
26:35Oh, Essie.
26:37I want to go home.
26:39I want to go home.
26:47You rang?
26:48Not that I am aware of.
26:51You, uh...
26:53get a letter from the missus and Miss Meg.
26:55But you can tell that wretched girl, Bridget,
26:58that if she forgets once more to varnish my boots,
27:01and I have to go to the barracks looking like a tinker,
27:03she'll be packed off bag and baggage.
27:05I've told you before, you sack her and I go too.
27:08And there's a quarter's wages owing.
27:10And the missus will certainly have something to say.
27:12Oh, go away. Leave me in peace, woman.
27:14You ask me, much more of this empty house,
27:17the quietness and the peace.
27:19We'll all be raving dingbats.
27:23Some of us aren't already.
27:33The missus say young Judy well?
27:36Exceptionally so.
27:40I say when they're coming home?
27:44It will be soon.
27:46Very soon.
28:16THE END
28:46© BF-WATCH TV 2021
29:16© BF-WATCH TV 2021