Kenneth
Thursday 21st July 2016 2:55pm
5,447 posts
Quote: Steve Charlie @ 13th December 2009, 9:35 AM GMT
Worzel Gummidge Down Under was not as good as the original Worzel Gummidge in my opinion - although it was still okay. There was a story about it stopping prematurely due to a TV company folding. I'm not sure if that was the original Worzel Gummidge or 'Down Under'. As a New Zealander its nice to have the NZ flavour in downunder - especially as that was the time I was growing up. I have most of them on DVD but not quite all.
Recently started watching Worzel Gummidge Down Under on YouTube and it certainly is inferior to the original (which had ceased because of the demise of Southern Television). Jon Pertwee and Una Stubbs are as great as they can be, but the scripts were weak and some of the co-stars poor. One co-star who stands out is the tramp/poacher/oddjob man named Rooney. The Kiwi Crowman does a valiant impersonation of Geoffrey Bayldon's original but he lacks gravitas. Would have been so much better if they'd used a Maori crowman, rather than casting a Maori as the villain.
Why is it that certain British sitcoms from the 60s to the 80s went to Australia (or in this case, New Zealand) to die?
These included:
Hancock's ill-fated last series (1968).
Father, Dear Father in Australia (1979).
Love Thy Neighbour in Australia (with Jack Smethurst, 1979-80).
Doctor Down Under (1979) (later resurrected in UK).
Are You Being Served? (only John Inman, 1980-81)
Worzel Gummidge Down Under (1987-89)
Even Minder (should not be on this list) had a couple of later episodes in Australia (just for fun).
I wonder if the Australian networks were under the belief that British stars and local versions of their shows would be ratings winners... Or was it that certain UK shows were axed and thus sought fresh production or co-production in Australia (or even NZ)?
I look forward to:
Peep Show in Australia.
and of course, The Rebel Down Under.
