Barley Charlie was an Australian television sitcom which aired in 1964. It was the second television sitcom produced in Australia; being preceded by the 1957–1959 series Take That, although that Crawford Productions sitcom had only aired in Melbourne.[1] Some of the creatives went on to be involved in the serial drama Undercurrent (1965).

Barley Charlie
GenreSitcom
Starring
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes13
Original release
NetworkGTV-9
Release1964 (1964)

Overview

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Barley Charlie aired for 13 episodes, produced by GTV-9 and also shown on other stations across Australia.[2] Though short-lived, the series was a ratings success.[3] The main cast were Sheila Bradley, Robina Beard, and Eddie Hepple.[4]

The National Film and Sound Archive hold at least four episodes of Barley Charlie as well as some documentation.[5]

Cast

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Main

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Guests

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Premise

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The premise was developed by the British scriptwriting team of Chesney and Wolfe while they were visiting Australia in the wake of the worldwide success of The Rag Trade.[4]

Joan and Shirley Muggleton are two cityslicker sisters who inherit a roadhouse cafe and garage midway between Melbourne and Sydney. Working there is Charlie Appleby, a lazy and clueless mechanic.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Vagg, Stephen (18 February 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". FilmInk. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Cast in GTV-9 Series". TV & Radio Guide. The Age. Melbourne. 12 December 1963. p. 1. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Barley Charlie". Classic Australian Television. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ a b c "GTV-9s new comedy series". TV & Radio Guide. The Age. Melbourne. 9 January 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Australia's Living Archive Annual Report 2010–11" (PDF). National Film and Sound Archive. p. 196. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
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