The Undertakers (TV play)

The Undertakers is a 1970 Australian television play. It was a pilot for a series that was not picked up but which aired as a stand-alone production.

The Undertakers
Genrecomedy
Created byKen Shadie
Written by
Directed byAlan MacKnight
Starring
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerKen Shadie
Running time30 mins
Release
Original networkSeven
Original releaseNovember 1970 (1970-11)

It aired in Melbourne on 27 January 1971 along with a number of pilots for series, including The Group, Catwalk, Kill and Cure, and The Chris Kirby Show.[1]

Jim Oswin, General Manager of ATN-7, said "we are going to make them and we are going to play them. Then the network is going to sit back and take a good, critical look at them. And we want viewers to do the same."[2]

According to the Sun Herald "Sydney comment was cool" on the show "but in the other states, particularly Melbourne, they loved it."[3]

The Sun Herald called it "hilariously funny... the most promising Australian comedy show I've seen in 14 years."[4]

The Age felt it was derivative of Steptoe and Son but thought Ferrier's performance was "glorious".[5]

Premise

An undertaker (Noel Ferrier) is joined in business by his used car salesman brother (Peter Whitford).

Cast
  • Noel Ferrier as Barnabas Quinn
  • Peter Whitford
  • Queenie Ashton
  • Ric Hutton
  • Harry Lawrence

References
  1. "Pick the best". The Age. 21 January 1971. p. 29.
  2. Marshall, Valda (15 November 1970). "Channel 7's revolting again". The Sunday Sydney Morning Herald. p. 106.
  3. "Pilot plans". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 February 1971. p. 117.
  4. The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 November 1970. p. 124. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. "Shades of steptoe". The Age. 29 January 1971. p. 2.
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