The Lawsons
| Genre | Serial drama |
|---|---|
| Running time | played twice daily |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Language(s) | English |
| Syndicates | ABC |
| Starring | Vivian Edwards, Ailsa Grahame, Jane Holland |
| Created by | Gwen Meredith |
| Written by | Gwen Meredith |
| Original release | 21 February 1944 – 25 February 1949 |
| No. of episodes | 1,299[1] |
The Lawsons was an Australian radio serial broadcast by the ABC and created and written by Gwen Meredith that ran daily from 21 February 1944 to 25 February 1949. It was a forerunner to the better known Blue Hills.[2][3] The show began as a propaganda series to introduce modern farming methods.[4] Meredith researched it at a station near Gunnedah.[5] The serial was hugely popular immediately and ran for five years.[6] Meredith adapted the series into a play and a novel.[7]
Premise
[edit]The adventures of the Lawson family who live on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson, Sue and Jean and their four boys Wally, Chris, Ted and Brian. Described as the typical Australian country folk, they raise sheep and poultry and grow wheat and vegetables, but are not as burlesque as Dad and Dave or Doreen and Ginger Mick.[8]
Cast
[edit]| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Alfred Bristowe |
| Mr. John Lawson | Vivian Edwards |
| Mrs. Ellen Lawson | Ailsa Grahame |
| Sue Lawson | Jane Holland |
| Don McKenzie | Jerry Wells |
| Chris | Hal Lashwood |
| Ruth | Marie Rosenfeld |
| Max Ralston | George Randall |
| Joe | Reg Collins |
Stage play
[edit]Meredith wrote a stage play version of the radio serial. It toured New South Wales regional areas in 1950 with a cast including Ed Devereaux.[9] The play was presented by J.C. Williamson's Ltd.[10]
Cast of 1950 Tour
[edit]- Pamela Bygrave as Sue
- George Simpson Lyttle as Mr Lawson
- Jean Blue as Mrs. Lawson
- Billee Lockwood as Hilda
- Dorothea Dunstan as Emmy
- Edward Devereaux as Ted Lawson
- Peter Morris as Brian
- Mary Bartholomew as Jean Lawson
- Pat Penny as Max Ralston
- Edmund Allison as Joe
- Ben Lewin as Archie.
References
[edit]- ^ "End In Sight For "Lawsons"". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 650. New South Wales, Australia. 11 January 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "BLUE HILLS, NEW GWEN MEREDITH SERIAL TO FOLLOW THE LAWSONS", ABC weekly, Sydney, 15 January 1949, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ "LAWSONS RECORDS", ABC weekly, Sydney, 15 January 1949, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ ""Lawsons" Author Never Listens To Serials". The Sunday Herald (Sydney). No. 2. New South Wales, Australia. 30 January 1949. p. 6. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Farm and Home Hour", ABC weekly, Sydney: ABC, 19 February 1944, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ "The Lawsons are real people to listeners", ABC weekly, Sydney, 25 November 1944, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ "GWEN MEREDITH IS WRITING LAWSONS NOVEL", ABC weekly, Sydney: ABC, 8 June 1946, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ a b "MEET THE LAWSONS Down the farm!", ABC weekly, Sydney, 8 September 1945, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ ""The Lawsons" for Wagga". Daily Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 10 February 1950. p. 2. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Lawsons Has World Premiere As Stage Play", ABC weekly, Sydney, 28 January 1950, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove