- 1 year ago
SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS - Episode 6 - "Tomorrow Do Thy Worst"
Originally broadcast 30th September 1973
SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS was a 10 part television mini-series based on Ethel Turner's best selling 1894 novel that aired on ABCTV in 1973 between 26th August to 28th October 1973 winning a Gold Logie for Best New Drama in 1974.
Story synopsis - Klassic 1880s Australian drama concerning a strict army widower taking on a new wife & attempt to control difficult situations caused by seven mischievous children.
Cast - Barbara Llewellyn as Meg Woolcot
Mark Clark as Pip Woolcot
Anna Hruby as Nell Woolcot
Jennifer Cluff as Judy Woolcot
Tania Falla as Baby Woolcot
Mark Shields-Brown as Bunty Woolcot
Christian Robinson as The General
Leonard Teale as Captain John Woolcot
Elizabeth Alexander as Esther Woolcot
Ruth Cracknell as Martha
Produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in association with ETHEL TURNER PRODUCTIONS and the AUSTRALIAN FILM DEVELOPMENT PRODUCTION
Television soundtrack composed by Bruce Smeaton
Arranged by Geoff Hales and Bruce Smeaton
Played by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Original story by Ethel Turner & Adapted by Eleanor Witcombe
Executive Producer - Charles Russell
Directed by Ron Way
Originally broadcast 30th September 1973
SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS was a 10 part television mini-series based on Ethel Turner's best selling 1894 novel that aired on ABCTV in 1973 between 26th August to 28th October 1973 winning a Gold Logie for Best New Drama in 1974.
Story synopsis - Klassic 1880s Australian drama concerning a strict army widower taking on a new wife & attempt to control difficult situations caused by seven mischievous children.
Cast - Barbara Llewellyn as Meg Woolcot
Mark Clark as Pip Woolcot
Anna Hruby as Nell Woolcot
Jennifer Cluff as Judy Woolcot
Tania Falla as Baby Woolcot
Mark Shields-Brown as Bunty Woolcot
Christian Robinson as The General
Leonard Teale as Captain John Woolcot
Elizabeth Alexander as Esther Woolcot
Ruth Cracknell as Martha
Produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in association with ETHEL TURNER PRODUCTIONS and the AUSTRALIAN FILM DEVELOPMENT PRODUCTION
Television soundtrack composed by Bruce Smeaton
Arranged by Geoff Hales and Bruce Smeaton
Played by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Original story by Ethel Turner & Adapted by Eleanor Witcombe
Executive Producer - Charles Russell
Directed by Ron Way
Category
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TVTranscript
00:30♪♪
00:40♪♪
00:50♪♪
01:00♪♪
01:11Something very strange was going on at Miss Rule.
01:15I was sure of it.
01:17Whisperings in corners and inexplicable secretive comings and goings among the children.
01:23I should have asked questions, but I had so many things on my mind.
01:28John, the general, the housekeeping, and goodness, what had happened to Judy?
01:34We still had not heard from her.
01:37♪♪
01:47♪♪
01:57♪♪
02:07♪♪
02:15He's home early.
02:16I hope nothing's wrong.
02:18Esther said he was worried because we haven't heard from Judy.
02:21He wouldn't go up there, would he?
02:22No, he'd send a letter first.
02:24Besides, all he's going to think about for the next two days is the regimental dinner.
02:27If only he'd wait just three more days.
02:29Then Judy leaves.
02:30But she's still sick.
02:32And we should get the doctor.
02:34Judy would never forgive us.
02:36Maybe we can get Duncan, the chemist, to give us something for Judy's cough.
02:40We should get the doctor.
02:42Oh, I hate all this lying and pretense.
02:44What else can we do?
02:47Come on, Meg.
02:50Don't take a minute.
03:04Hello, Pip, old man.
03:05Hello, Alan.
03:06How's the footy going?
03:07Better than lectures any day.
03:08You were terrific last week against North.
03:10Three tries.
03:11Tremendous.
03:12Thanks.
03:13You're studying medicine at uni, aren't you, Alan?
03:16That's the impression I try to give, yes.
03:18Look, say someone's got a bad cough.
03:20Hmm?
03:21And they've been out in the cold and all that.
03:22And they look rotten.
03:24And they seem to get this terrible pain in their side.
03:27What do you think you should get for it?
03:29A doctor.
03:30What would you say, Mr. Duncan?
03:31I agree.
03:32I hope it's not one of your sisters.
03:35Oh, no.
03:36I just want something for a bad cold.
03:38You have a cold?
03:39It's for our maid, Martha.
03:41She has a slight cough.
03:44Oh.
03:47I thought perhaps you may have been ill.
03:49Oh, no.
03:50I'm enjoying good health, thank you.
03:54Miss Wilcott, I felt rotten.
03:56Absolutely rotten about the other night.
04:00It was a rotten thing to do.
04:02I knew the note was intended for Anne, Joan.
04:04It was none of my business.
04:05And it was unforgivably presumptuous of me to lecture you.
04:11Really, I'm only making it worse, aren't I?
04:15Mr. Courtney, I should be most obliged if you would forget what happened the other night.
04:22We'll make a pact, shall we?
04:24We'll both forget it.
04:31Oh, you've met Al, have you?
04:33Best free player in the university.
04:35We'd better go.
04:36Bye.
04:37Bye, Pip.
04:38Good afternoon, Miss Wilcott.
04:53Oh, wow.
04:54Tell Mrs. Courtney, one every four hours.
04:57That'll be two shillings, please.
05:05Mr. Duncan?
05:06Hmm?
05:08What did those symptoms sound like to you?
05:10Symptoms?
05:12Pip Wilcott's suppositions.
05:13Oh, those.
05:15Oh, ludicrous.
05:16Another one.
05:18Oh, that's not fair, General.
05:24Judy.
05:25Oh, Lord.
05:26Judy, he'll tell.
05:27Why did you...
05:28Oh, what does it matter?
05:32Oh, my dearest.
05:33Anyway, I missed you so much.
05:36I missed you.
05:44We were only playing.
05:45He fell over.
05:46She came up before we could...
05:48What are we gonna do?
06:18Judy, are you all right?
06:20Marvellous.
06:23I had to wait till they'd gone to bed.
06:28Thought you might appreciate a hot water bottle.
06:30But be careful, it's boiling, all right?
06:32Dear old Meg, you make someone a marvellous mother.
06:35Take the medicine?
06:36I'd rather cough.
06:42Come on.
06:49Move over.
06:50I'm staying the night.
06:51You are a brick.
06:52You know I hate the rain.
06:53That was the biggest sook I've ever met.
06:56The General hasn't told yet.
06:58He keeps calling for you.
07:00So, Nell told Estrid was because they'd told him stories
07:03about you coming home for the holidays.
07:05Fancy Nell telling fibs.
07:08Come on.
07:16Meg, you used to come in to sleep with me
07:18just after Mother died.
07:21Seems a long time ago, doesn't it?
07:24But I don't feel any different.
07:26Meg, the day after tomorrow I'm supposed to catch the train
07:29back to that wretched school.
07:31I know.
07:32Pep was here.
07:34Did he tell you we planned a terrific special picnic
07:36for tomorrow if the rain stops?
07:38We thought we'd go along the river bank to our old spot,
07:41just like we used to.
07:43Meg, I want it to be just as it used to be.
07:46Jojo, I promise we'll do everything,
07:48everything we can.
07:50Truly.
08:05Come on.
08:27Come on.
08:28Come on.
08:32Come on.
08:38Where is he?
08:39Still in the paddock.
08:40Auntie's keeping watch.
08:41He's not going to stay out there all morning.
08:47What's this to be, a picnic or Balshazzar's feast?
08:50We're simply grilling some sausages.
08:54Some?
08:55Looks like the week's rations for the entire household.
08:58Martha, you know very well the fresh air
09:00makes people terribly hungry.
09:02Six hard-boiled eggs?
09:04I gave you one each.
09:07Five.
09:08Well, I felt we needed six.
09:10Did you now?
09:12And who's going to eat two plus four sausages?
09:15I am, I told you.
09:17I become excessively hungry in the open air.
09:19You?
09:20You never eat enough to keep a grasshopper alive.
09:23What's this?
09:24My radishes for Sunday salad?
09:26I haven't taken them all.
09:28Martha, please, let me have some.
09:30I simply adore radishes.
09:32First I've heard of it.
09:33The only person around here who simply adored radishes was...
09:36I asked Nell to pack the extra stuff.
09:38Graham Digby Smith said he might come.
09:41As if we haven't got enough to do here
09:42feeding the lot of you without taking on half the Digby Smiths.
09:46Still, I suppose it's worth it to get rid of you all for a bit.
09:49Come on.
09:50Hurry up and clear out of my kitchen.
09:53Bridget!
09:56Bridget, what are you doing up there?
09:58Taking a nap?
09:59Hurry up with them beds and come down here.
10:01Oh, she doesn't have to make the beds.
10:03They're all made.
10:06What's the matter with you lot?
10:09It's the fourth morning running.
10:13Something fishy going on here.
10:17The last time you made your beds was one week before Christmas.
10:20I'm going to get to the bottom of this.
10:38Send me up, Judy.
10:42It's about time.
10:44I thought you'd forgotten me.
10:45I couldn't get away.
10:47Nell brought you some breakfast.
10:49Oh, I wasn't hungry.
10:50Nell seems to think I have a bunty-sized appetite anyway.
10:53Brought you some warm things.
10:54They might get a bit chilly this afternoon.
10:58Judy, are you all right?
11:00Right as rain, why?
11:04We are still going for a picnic.
11:06Of course we are.
11:09If you feel...
11:10Oh, stop fussing.
11:11It's only the end of that stupid cold.
11:13All that's wrong with me is my legs are going to drop off through lack of exercise.
11:17Oh, I'm sick of being cooped up here like mad Bertha in the West Wing.
11:22When can we go?
11:23As soon as father gets out of the stable.
11:25Come on.
11:30Not a trace of lameness.
11:31Mazapper's leg is as good as new.
11:33Thank heavens.
11:34I knew I was right.
11:35All it needed was a good rub of imbrication and bandaging for a few days.
11:38Yes, dear.
11:39Not much I don't know about horses, eh?
11:41No, dear.
11:42Except it was I who suggested the imbrication.
11:45You?
12:12We made it.
12:16Now we go inside.
12:17You ready?
12:18Come on, let's go.
12:19I'll have three fat juicy sausages.
12:22Oh, Bunty.
12:24Come on, we've got to hurry.
12:29Hey, did anyone find out where the father's going out?
12:32No.
12:34Bunty, you better go up.
12:35Why?
12:36We don't want father deciding on a walk down the river, do we?
12:39Why me?
12:40Because you were elected scout.
12:42But I want to come.
12:44Look, idiot.
12:45You won't miss out on anything.
12:47Just go up and find out if he's taking a trip in the dog cart or what his plans are.
12:51Then you can follow us.
12:52It's not fair.
12:54I have to do all the dirty work.
12:56You need only stay around until father makes up his mind.
12:58We'll keep your sausages for you.
13:00You can have my sausage, too.
13:03Please, Bunty.
13:05Hop it and keep your eyes and ears peeled.
13:07It's not fair.
13:08Judy's my favourite friend.
13:10Why do I have to do everything?
13:12Why can't they do it?
13:14Father, father.
13:15Poo.
13:16Sufficient until the afternoon is the father thereof.
13:18Come on, let's forget him.
13:20Nothing will go wrong today.
13:21Last one there's a rotten egg.
13:24Come on, baby.
13:27Jojo!
13:29Oh, dear.
13:30Oh, no, you don't.
13:32Oh, please, darling Jenny.
13:33Don't you be difficult, too.
13:45Jojo!
13:47Jenny!
13:48Jenny!
14:01Have you taken root there?
14:03I'm not doing nothing.
14:05Indeed.
14:06Not doing nothing at all.
14:07I'm going to a picnic.
14:09It looked as if you were contemplating some fresh mischief
14:11or perhaps sorrowing over some old what was it?
14:14Nothing.
14:19Come on.
14:29Suppose you confess to every piece of mischief you've done this week.
14:32I have the morning to spare
14:34and it's about time I looked to your morals a bit.
14:36I haven't done nothing.
14:38Really?
14:39Well, there was the stealing from the pantry on Tuesday.
14:42That's one.
14:43Now then?
14:45I never did nothing else.
14:48Nothing at all, Bunty.
14:50On your word.
14:52I was playing.
14:53How could I have shot anything at your horse?
14:55Horse?
14:57What did you throw at Mazeppa to lame him?
14:59Nothing.
15:00My cricket ball was up in the stables.
15:04Did you lame Mazeppa with a cricket ball?
15:06No, no, I never.
15:08It just rolled out of my pocket
15:10and Mazeppa was just passing and...
15:12Speak the truth or I will give you a thrashing you won't forget in a hurry.
15:15Now, sir, did you lame Mazeppa?
15:17Yes.
15:22It wasn't my fault.
15:24It wasn't me.
15:26Are you all right, you two?
15:28Here we are.
15:33I'll bet Bunty will stay behind until all the work's done
15:36and then turn up in time to eat everything, the pig.
15:39You've killed me.
15:41It wasn't my fault.
15:42Why don't you hit the others sometime?
15:44Do you think the others would lie so contemptibly?
15:46Philip never lied to me.
15:48And Helen would rather cut her tongue out first.
15:50Going on a picnic, are you?
15:52Well, you will picnic in your room until tomorrow,
15:54this instant, at the double.
15:58Surely he's run away from school.
16:00Then he's gone on a picnic.
16:11No sign of Bunty yet.
16:13Silly little dope.
16:14Probably lost his way or went in the other direction.
16:16No, he knew we were coming here.
16:18He'll turn up.
16:20No sense in just sitting here.
16:22Now, will you and baby collect some wood for the fire?
16:24May as well eat.
16:26He'll turn up when we finish cooking.
16:29I think it was very noble of Bunty to have stayed behind.
16:32A brave is brave.
16:34I'll help with the wood.
16:37Ah.
16:42You sure you're all right?
16:44It's all this fresh air.
16:46My legs have forgotten how to work.
16:50We'll collect the wood.
16:51You sit down.
16:53After all, it's your holiday.
16:58Oh, it's wonderful to relax
17:01and not have to worry about Father.
17:03Everything must be all right.
17:05Bunty'd have told us.
17:09Ah, yes, the worthy British afternoon off.
17:11Excellent luncheon, Martha.
17:17Martha, will you fetch Mrs. Wilcotshaw?
17:19We are going on the river.
17:22The river?
17:23For a short row in the dinghy.
17:25The exercise will do me good.
17:27Has this anything to do with Bunty?
17:29Esther, I love my children. You know that.
17:31Any decisions I make regarding this family
17:33will always have the family's benefit in mind.
17:35I know, but why punish Bunty so harshly?
17:38He is an untruthful vagabond,
17:40and I am ashamed to own him as my son.
17:42As for the others...
17:44Please try to understand, John.
17:46Esther, you once remarked that in marrying me
17:48you were marrying into an army.
17:50In many ways, perhaps, that is true.
17:52These are children, John, not soldiers.
17:56In my profession, I may be merely
17:58an overworked and overlooked captain.
18:01But in this house and in this family,
18:03I insist on being completely and entirely in command.
18:08When my orders are flouted, scorned, disregarded,
18:11I have no option but to treat it as sedition and mutiny.
18:15It will therefore be dealt with as such, severely.
18:18You're going to have someone shot.
18:21Do you understand what I am saying?
18:27Then let us go for a row on the river.
18:30Yes, sir.
18:35Bunty is to remain locked in his room, you understand?
18:39Come, my dear.
18:49Oh, it's day for a picnic, Judy.
18:52Anyone for another sausage?
18:54This.
18:55Oh, I'm bursting.
18:56You weigh hardly a cent.
18:58You only want me to get a big fat waist like yours.
19:01I have not got a big fat, you know.
19:03Look at it, Pip.
19:05Forty inches if it's a yard.
19:07Poor old Meg with a figure like a cake.
19:09Judy.
19:10Megsie, she's only teasing.
19:11She was always teasing, remember?
19:13Judy, you know about that, that awful business.
19:16Silly old Meg tight-lacing.
19:19Of course I do.
19:21It's just like old times.
19:24Such a relief not having to be nice or ladylike.
19:27I think I'm just meant to be unladylike and horrible.
19:30I don't think you're horrible, Juju.
19:33I'm a monster.
19:37I wonder what happened to old Bunty.
19:39It was a bit mean asking him to stay.
19:41Someone had to stay.
19:43Judy, you're not going tomorrow, are you?
19:45No, I'm not.
19:46I'm not going.
19:48Judy, you're not going tomorrow, are you?
19:52Happy the man, happy he alone.
19:54He who can call today his own.
19:57He who's secure within can say, tomorrow do thy worst.
20:01For I have lived today.
20:08Bunty!
20:10He knows about Judy. He made me tell.
20:12Oh my gosh, not everything?
20:14The shed?
20:15No, I didn't tell about the shed.
20:16I didn't want to, Judy, but he hurt and he's coming.
20:19Here?
20:20The dinghy.
20:21How long ago did he leave?
20:22Oh, ages ago.
20:23I had to climb out of the window and the creepers all...
20:28It won't take him 20 minutes to get here.
20:35All the sneaky...
20:37Judy, the better part of butter is to skedaddle.
20:41It's all right, baby, it's all right.
20:47Bunty, you look after Judy.
20:50Sit down, sit down, act as though nothing's happened.
20:52Hurry, eat something.
20:57Anyone for a sausage?
21:00Oh, hello.
21:01Hello!
21:03Having a nice picnic?
21:05Yes, thank you, Father.
21:07All of you here?
21:09Bunty stayed home.
21:11He had a headache.
21:12Well, well.
21:13John, this is most unfair.
21:14Stop it, please.
21:16Let us go.
21:18Very well, my dear.
21:20Enjoy yourselves!
21:36Don't you think this is all just too childish?
21:39Of course.
21:40But they have chosen the weapons.
21:48I bet he's a dirty fighter.
21:50Well, he has a lot of us to fight.
21:57Perhaps that's the only way we'll win.
21:59Well, he's ruined it now.
22:01Might as well go home.
22:11Oh, come on, Jude.
22:12You've got to get back and be locked in before he comes home.
22:16Just a minute.
22:17Oh, come on, Jude.
22:19You go on.
22:20Go on.
22:21No, no, I won't leave you.
22:24Silly dove, it's nothing.
22:27Go on.
22:28No, I want to help you.
22:31Oh, Judy, I didn't mean to tell on you.
22:33I'm sorry.
22:35I'm sorry.
22:37I'm sorry.
22:38Oh, Judy, I didn't mean to tell on you.
22:41I know you didn't, dear old fellow.
22:44Come on, Hercules.
22:45Help me.
23:09Come on, Helena.
23:11It's going to be all right.
23:13It's all right.
23:38It's all right.
23:56It's sun.
23:57It's sun.
23:58It's sun.
23:59No, it's the moon.
24:00As you are all in possession of the drawing room,
24:02I can hardly smoke in any comfort here, I'm afraid.
24:05I'm going outside for a quiet stroll.
24:35I'm going outside for a quiet stroll.
25:05Helen?
25:22Helen?
25:25Helen Wolcott?
25:27What are you doing here, may I ask?
25:32Have you anything to say for yourself, Helen?
25:36No, father.
25:37No excuse or reason at all?
25:39No, father.
25:44There is a train leaving for Mount Victoria this evening.
25:47You will be on it.
25:49You will not be returning for the Christmas holidays,
25:51and probably not for those of the following June.
25:54But first, young lady, there is the matter of discipline.
26:00I want no dramatics.
26:01I want no dramatics.
26:05You will go to my study.
26:15Judy.
26:17Judy, my dear child.
26:31Judy, my dear child.