Homicide (Australian TV series)

Series synopsis

The series dealt with the homicide squad of the Victorian Police force and the various crimes and cases the detectives are called upon to investigate. Many episodes were based directly on real cases, although the characters (including the detectives) were fictional. 510 episodes were produced, and aired from October 1964 to January 1977. It remains as the longest-running Australian drama series.

Cast & Characters

Characters' ranks (except for Detective Inspector) changed in accordance with real-life changes in the Victoria Police Force. For example, Detective Sergeant Mackay becomes Detective Senior Sergeant to reflect his role as the squad's number-two when this rank was introduced. Barnes becomes a Senior Detective after the rank of Detective was abolished. The "Consummate Homicide cast" refers to the four characters that are the best known: Det. Snr. Sgt. David "Mac" MacKay (Leonard Teale), Det. Sgt. Peter Barnes (George Mallaby), Inspector Colin Fox (Alwyn Kurts) and Sen. Det. Jim Patterson (Norman Yemm).

Insp. Jack Connolly (John Fegan) - 1964-1969, 204 episodes

A gruff but warm-hearted pipe-smoking Irishman who worked his way up through the ranks from constable. Takes long service leave prior to retiring from the force in episode 204, "Chain of Evidence".

Det. Sgt. Frank Bronson (Terry McDermott) - 1964-1966, 59 episodes

A capable and calculating detective, married with children, Bronson can be very tough when necessary, but is generally easy-going with a strong core of humanity and humour. Shot dead by an escaped convict (played by the then-unknown Gerard Kennedy in episode 58, "Vendetta".

Det. Rex Fraser (Lex Mitchell) - 1964-1965, 28 episodes

Young, impulsive, and single, Fraser is a ladies man and a milk drinker (instead of alcohol), and only recently assigned to the squad. Transferred to another squad after being promoted to Senior Detective in episode 27, "Fifth Column".

Sen. Det. / Det. Sgt. / Det. Snr. Sgt. David 'Mac' Mackay (Leonard Teale) - 1965-1973, 358 episodes

Known as 'Mac', Mackay is a tough cop with high ideals about justice. Initially he has a large chip on his shoulder - he had been a Detective Sergeant before, but was demoted to Senior Detective because of a report by Bronson. This initially triggers conflict when Mackay realizes Bronson is to be his superior officer, but he mellows and matures over the years. Promoted to Sergeant after Bronson's death, Mackay is eventually promoted to Inspector and transferred to Ballarat in episode 383, "Assassin". In the final episode, "The Last Task", Mackay returns to help out his old squad in a case. The final scene has the cast looking through a doorway into the lens of the camera - ostensibly farewelling Mac, but actually saying goodbye to the viewer. (Teale was the programme's longest serving cast member, appearing in 358 of the show's 510 episodes.)

Sen. Det. Bill Hudson (Leslie Dayman) - 1966-1968, 104 episodes

A crack shot who hates the idea of killing anyone - but is forced to do so on several occasions in order to protect other people's lives - Hudson is a 'new breed' type of detective, well-trained in scientific methods of detection and with a modern approach to everyday living - in contrast to Connolly's solid beat-trained old-school type of detective. He is transferred from Forensic to assist Homicide after Mackay is seriously wounded by a prison escapee, and remains with the squad after Sergeant Bronson is killed on the case - a death he blames himself for. After being forced to fatally shoot another person once too often, Hudson is granted a leave of absence in episode 161, "The Pay Off". Dialogue in a later episode indicates that Hudson had been transferred back to Forensic and was due to return to work shortly.

Det. / Sen. Det. / Det. Sgt. Peter Barnes (George Mallaby) - 1968-1973, 265 episodes

Transferred from the Sydney Vice Squad, Barnes is a brash young cop - and a bit of a swinging bachelor - promoted to Detective at an earlier age than usual. He matures over the years, developing into a talented, formidable detective but retaining his good nature and sense of humour. Promoted to Sergeant after Mackay transfers out, Barnes has a nervous breakdown shortly afterwards from the strain of non-stop murder cases in episode 395, "One Too Many".

Sen. Det. Alberto "Bert" Costello (Lionel Long) - 1968-1969, 49 episodes

A first-generation Australian of Italian descent who, like his predecessor Hudson, has been transferred from Forensic. Unlike Hudson, Costello prefers more action. Killed in a mine cave-in during a case in episode 210, "A Quiet Town".

Insp. Colin Fox (Alwyn Kurts) - 1969-1973, 184 episodes

Originally from Maldara in country Victoria, a widower who lives with his unmarried daughter, Fox is greatly respected by the other detectives who realise his bark is worse than his bite - but don't let on. Shrewd with a dry sense of humour, Fox has a deep and mature respect for the role he fills. Shot dead by a sniper in episode 383, "Assassin".

Sen. Det. Jim Patterson (Norman Yemm) - 1969-1972, 123 episodes

A tough-as-nails cop with a direct methodology and a devoted family man, Patterson had previously boarded with Inspector Fox when posted to Maldara. He has an identical twin brother, Eddie (played by Yemm's real-life twin Gordon), who inadvertently causes havoc in the squad in a case of mistaken identity in episode 249, "The Superintendent". The episode (an out-and-out comedy) includes a legendary dream sequence in which three of the detectives are racing down an alleyway, guns blazing - but trouserless. Quits the force after becoming too emotionally involved in a case in which he nearly kills the murderer of a small boy in episode 333, "Grains of Sand".

Sen. Det. / Det. Sgt. Bob Delaney (Mike Preston) - 1972-1973, 42 episodes

A Londoner who had been a constable in the British police force before coming to Australia, Delaney is a 'snappy' modern dresser who pushes his clothes and hair length to the regulation limit. Replacing Patterson, Delaney is killed by a letter-bomb in episode 375, "We'll Both Remember Angie"; the episode ends with a police funeral with full honours, specially filmed for the series.

Sen. Det. Phil Redford (Gary Day) - 1973-1977, 134 episodes

A Vietnam veteran who has strong ideas about violence, Redford is also studying law part-time at university. Delaney's replacement, he remains to the end of the series.

Insp. Reg Lawson (Charles Tingwell) - 1973-1977, 126 episodes

Recalled to Melbourne from Scotland Yard (after serving with the United Nations peace-keeping forces in Cyprus) to take over the squad after the murder of Inspector Fox. Remains to the end of the series.

Sen. Det. Pat Kelly (John Stanton) - 1973-1974, 49 episodes

A tough, no-nonsense detective brought in after Barnes is promoted to Sergeant. Crippled in a car crash when pursuing a criminal in episode 432, "The Fellas Send Their Regards".

Det. Sgt. Harry White (Don Barker) - 1973-1977, 114 episodes

A family man, good-natured joker and incessant talker, but with a tough edge that increasingly comes to the fore. He replaces Barnes after his breakdown, and remains to the end of the series.

Sen. Det. Mike Deegan (Dennis Grosvenor) - 1974-1977, 77 episodes

A motorcycle-riding, martial-arts expert transferred to the Homicide squad from Ballarat, where he had worked under Inspector Mackay, as Kelly's replacement. Remains to the end of the series.

Broadcast history

The first episode aired at 7:30 p.m Tuesday 20 October 1964. The debut episode ("The Stunt") was not the first to be produced, with the pilot ("One Man Crime Wave") airing as episode 24A just prior to the departure of Lex Mitchell.

Regular daytime repeat screenings began in the early 1970s running until the early 1980s, as strip programming. Additionally, seven episodes were screened as specials, or part of specials:

ep. 376 - "Initiation", as part of the HSV-7 nostalgia program "Those Were The Days"

episodes 379 ("The Last Way Out"), 385 ("The Friendly Fellow"), 394 ("Patterns & Stripes Don't Mix"), 410 ("Bill"), and 463 ("The Life & Times Of Tina Kennedy") as part of the program's 30th anniversary celebration in 1994

ep. 383 - Assassin, shown in November 2005 as part of HSV-7's 50th year celebrations.

In 2004 the episodes "Flashpoint" (ep. 56) and "Stopover" (ep. 504) were screened cinematically by Melbourne Cinematheque.

In August 2010 WIN Television, as part of their late night "Crawford's Classic Drama" series, began sequential repeats from episode 1, but ceased in March 2011 at episode 33 (the pilot "One Man Crime Wave" was not included).

In the 1960s, the series was picked up, on a regional basis, by some of the ITV companies in the UK. Not all regions screened the show, which was scheduled in a late-night slot (usually 10:30pm or later), but among those that did were Westward TV, Yorkshire TV, Channel TV, Border TV and Southern Television.

Technical specifications

Early episodes were in black and white with the bulk of material recorded on videotape in the studios of HSV7 using a Multicamera setup. Each episode also featured about ten minutes of location footage shot on 16 mm film. Total time per episode was 47 minutes.

With occasional exceptions, the filmed segments did not have synchronised sound and so featured little dialogue, concentrating more on dramatic shots of cars pulling in, gun battles, and fist fights.

Dialogue for the film scenes was done "post sync". This means that the dialogue was recorded on location but, due to the often low quality of audio recorded in this manner, the actor was required to record the dialogue in a sound-proof studio in the standard filmmaking process known as Additional Dialogue Recording. Location recordings were used infrequently, and usually limited to brief dialogue snatches in enclosed spaces, such as the interior of a car. Sound effects would be also dubbed onto the location-shot footage. Both pre-recorded sound effects recordings and the work of Crawford's foley artist would be used.

Episode 56, "Flashpoint", which first aired on 19 April 1966, was shot entirely on location on film, and most of the dialogue of this episode was post-synched. Over the years the ratio of film to videotape was increased, and synchronised sound became the norm. When the series switched from black and white to colour in 1973, it necessitated shooting entirely on film, as the HSV7 studios were yet to be converted to colour video production.

If a script was amended, a Crawford Productions staff member who lived near the actor concerned would be required to deliver the new script to their house. Quite often this new dialogue had to be memorised for filming the next day.

The workload for the regular actors, especially for location work, was notoriously heavy. In 1967 the regular squad was increased from three to four to better share the load, which remained the standard team to the end. In 1972, when it was decided to transfer production entirely to film, the result was a massive increase in overtime demanded by the series. Leonard Teale and Alwyn Kurts promptly quit, and George Mallaby only re-signed with a 13-week "escape clause", which he eventually invoked. All cited the worsening workload, which was best expressed by Leonard Teale as he announced his departure from the show:

"There has never been a dispute over basic pay rates; the dispute has always involved the massive overtime that Crawfords want me to work in the new year. In the end it became a simple choice between my marriage and Homicide. I chose my marriage."

Scripts

Homicide scripts explored a number of major social issues, such as:

pack rape (episode 21, "The Violators")

prostitution (episode 23, "The Brand")

loneliness, suicide and mercy killing (episode 31, "An Act Of Love")

the occult (episode 34, "Witch Hunt")

police shooting of criminals (episode 76, "The Snipers")

road safety (episode 123, "No Licence To Kill")

drugs (episode 128, "Freakout")

the plight of pensioners (episode 208, "Everybody Knows Charlie")

pollution (episode 314, "Fighting Fred")

use of firearms (episode 405, "Time And Tide")

‘poofter bashing’ (episode 411, "A Crime Against Nature")

youth gangs (episode 434, "The Graduation Of Tony Walker")

child abuse (episode 463, "The Life And Times Of Tina Kennedy")

the dangers of hitch-hiking (episode 478, "Wipe Out")

Many of these episodes were introduced by John Fegan to highlight their significance (and, presumably, to indicate they may not be suitable for younger viewers).

Scripts were frequently based on real murder cases, including:

Episode 211, "I, Mick O'Byrne", based on the recent case of Ronald Ryan, the last man hanged in Australia.

Episode 37, "Colour of Hate", based on the real-life murder of a young police constable. The victim's family later wrote a very appreciative letter to Crawfords in which they described the episode as ‘a fine tribute to our son’s courage and devotion to duty’. The letter was later read out by Leonard Teale in the documentary The Homicide Story, who noted that it held a special place in the production team's files.

Episode 39, "A Lonely Place", based on the case of serial killer Arnold Sodeman, who strangled four girls between 1930-1935 when affected by alcohol. While Sodeman was hanged after a long legal battle, the episode doesn't indicate what happens to his fictional equivalent.

Episode 180, "Dead or Alive", based on real-life New Zealand mass killer Stanley Graham, who murdered seven people (four policemen and three civilians) in October 1941. Unlike the real case, where Graham was eventually shot dead by police, the fictional killer is captured alive, and the episode ends with detectives wondering if he will be sentenced to death or found insane.

Awards

Homicide won multiple awards for its scripts, including three AWGIEs, two Logies, one Penguin and one Sammy Award:

AWGIEs:

1970: John Dingwall - Best Script for a TV Drama Series for episode 208, "Everyone Knows Charlie"1975: Peter Schreck - episode 434, "The Graduation Of Tony Walker"1976: Keith Thompson - Best Script for Telemovie for episode 504, "Stopover"

Logies:

1973: Fred 'Cul' Cullen - Best Script for episode 385, "The Friendly Fellow"1974: Fred 'Cul' Cullen - Best Script for episode 414, "Twelve Bar Blues"

Penguin:

1975: Australian Film Commission Second Prize for episode 434, "The Graduation Of Tony Walker"

Sammy:

1976: Keith Thompson - Best Writer (TV Play) for episode 504, "Stopover"

Feature film

Late in the show's run - between episodes 470 and 480 - a feature-length episode was filmed. This film was entitled Stopover, with the title Homicide not used at all, and was shot entirely on film on new sets and on location at Melbourne Airport. The story involved an international rock band that was held at the airport following the fatal overdose of a band member. Guest stars included Jon English as the band's lead singer, and Tony Bonner as the band member who overdosed. The film never received a cinema release but was shown on television as a special in 1976. It is officially listed as episode 504, with episodes 502 and 503 also being feature-length.

Lawson, White, Deegan and Redford are the detectives in the film.

Records

Homicide ran for 12 years and 6 months, making it the longest-running Australian weekly primetime drama in history.

With 510 episodes produced (the last episode is numbered 509, but the pilot episode was numbered with an 'A' suffix, making a total of 510), for many years it held the record for most episodes produced in an Australian weekly primetime drama. When it ended in 2006 Blue Heelers equalled this record. However, "Homicide" ran on-air for longer than "Blue Heelers", and had a greater cumulative running time due to five "feature-length" episodes.

Significance

Homicide was the first major dramatic television series to be produced in Australia, the domestic television market having been previously dominated by American and British imports. In 1964, any Australian-made product tended to be quiz shows, children's series, music/variety series and one-off plays, with local drama production sporadic at best, with only a handful of typically short-lived series on commercial television such as Autumn Affair, Emergency and The Story of Peter Grey, along with several mini-series on ABC such as Stormy Petrel. Foreign imports were preferred because they were both cheaper and (especially for US series) more plentiful than local productions. Homicide proved that there was a market for home-grown dramatic programming and was highly successful from the start - its initial ratings were in the 30s, and regularly rated in the high 40s and even low 50s (modern cop show ratings tend to be in the 20s at best). In addition, the series was produced at a tenth of the cost of an overseas program and easily outrated them.

Guest artists

The series also proved itself to be a virtual training ground for Australian television and film production. During its 11-year run, almost everyone in the industry - actors, directors, scriptwriters, producers, camera crew, etc. - worked on the series at some point in their careers, and guest roles were filled by a veritable Who's Who of the Australian entertainment - both established and newcomers.

see (List of Guest Artists on Homicide)*

For these reasons, as well as for inspiring a series of popular cop dramas that followed, it remains one of the most important programmes in the history of Australian television.

Legacy

In 2007, Homicide was chosen for an Australia Post stamp to celebrate 50 years of television in Australia. In 1994, a special tribute to the series aired titled Homicide: 30 Years On, hosted by Blue Heelers stars John Wood and Lisa McCune, which included interviews with surviving cast members and guest stars (both John Fegan and Leonard Teale had died by that time).

DVD release

Homicide has been released on DVD in a series of box sets since December 2012. Each box set contains 26 episodes on 7 discs. As of January 2017, seventeen sets & a bonus disc of The Homicide Story have been released, available from Crawford's online store. The full set should comprise 20 boxsets when complete.