| A Descant for Gossips | |
|---|---|
| Genre | drama |
| Based on | A Descant for Gossips by Thea Astley |
| Written by | Ted Roberts Robert Stead |
| Directed by | Tim Burstall |
| Starring | Kaarin Fairfax Geneviève Picot Peter Carroll |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 3 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Erina Rayner |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | 25 September 1983 (1983-09-25) |
A Descant for Gossips is a 1983 Australian mini series about a school girl who becomes involved with two teachers. The adaptation is based on the novel of the same name by Australian author Thea Astley.
It was repeated in 1984.
Cast
- Kaarin Fairfax - Vinny Lalor
- Geneviève Picot - Helen Striebel
- Peter Carroll - Robert Moller
- Louise Kan - Pearl
- Desiree Smith - Betty
- Steve Bastoni - Howard
- Keir Saltmarsh - Tommy
- Simon Chilvers - Mr. Findlay
- Anne Phelan - Mrs. Lalor
- Rona McLeod - Lillian
- Jennifer Jarman-Walker - Jess Talbot
- Rod Densley - Alex Talbot
- Kate Jason - Ruth Lunbeck
- Jeffrey Hodgson - Harold Lunbeck
- Jillian Murray - Marion Welch
- Bill Garner - Sam
- Rod Williams - Mr. Lalor
- Bruce Knappett - Mr. Jordan
- Les James - Mr. Farrelly
- Anne Charleston - Margaret
- Con Mathios - Royce
- Greg Stroud - Mike
Production
Film rights to the novel were sold in 1968.
It was the first lead role for Fairfax who had been in I Can Jump Puddles and Starstruck.
Reception
The Sydney Sun Herald said the series "will have even the most unblinking insomniac snoring after the first 20 minutes - yet it has some good things going for it."
The Age said "the program's strength lies in the controlled acting of Peter Carroll... and Genevieve Picot, and the inventive, quiet direction of Tim Burstall."
References
- Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p187
- "Excavating a major work by Tim Burstall - A DESCANT FOR GOSSIPS viewed at the National Archives of Australia". Film Alert 101. 11 December 2016.
- "ABC TV". Tribune. No. 2357. New South Wales, Australia. 28 November 1984. p. 14. Retrieved 12 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- "The top writer who won't go 'popular'". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 36, no. 20. Australia, Australia. 16 October 1968. p. 12. Retrieved 12 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- O'Meara, Maeve (25 September 1983). "Country town gossip tends to bore". Sydney Sun Herald. p. 67.
- "Stuck in a break up". The Age. 22 September 1983. p. 32.
External links
| Films directed by Tim Burstall | |
|---|---|
| Feature films |
|
| TV |
|
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