SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS - Episode 5 - "Secrets"
SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS - Episode 5 - "Secrets"
Originally broadcast 23rd 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 23rd 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
00:30I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:32I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:34I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:36I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:38I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:40I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:42I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:44I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:46I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:48I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:50I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:52I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:54I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:56I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
00:58I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:00I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:02I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:04I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:06I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:08I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:10I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:12I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:14I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:16I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:18I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:20I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:22I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:24I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:26I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:28I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:30I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:32I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:34I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:36I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:38I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:40I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:42I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:44I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:46I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this.
01:48I've walked all the way from school.
01:50My, jiggery!
01:52Where are they, Bunty?
01:54I've missed them so much, Pip and Meg.
01:56Meg's in bed.
01:58Because last night she fainted.
02:00Because she tight-laced herself.
02:02And Pip's a mean pig.
02:04He's gone off on the boat with Nell.
02:06And Baby's at the Courtney's.
02:08They might have stayed in.
02:10They might have known I should try to come home.
02:12Oh, Juju, don't cry.
02:14Ju, you all right?
02:18Yes.
02:20But you're all dirty.
02:22I can't even remember when I last ate.
02:24But I got here.
02:26Who knows how.
02:30Bunty, please get some help.
02:32I'll help you, Juju.
02:34Poor old Bunty.
02:36You're not much good on your own.
02:38I am. I'll get you something to eat.
02:40What do you like?
02:42Anything, so long as it's a lot.
02:44I'm so hungry I can even eat these rafters.
02:46I'll ask Mother.
02:48No.
02:50Bunty, promise you mustn't tell anyone.
02:52Or they'll send me back.
02:54And I'll die.
02:56Don't die, Judy. Please don't die.
02:58I can help you.
03:00I can get you lots and lots of things to eat.
03:02I won't tell not no one.
03:04Bunty, wait.
03:16I'll get it.
03:46Seeing I don't want murder done
03:48in my nice clean kitchen,
03:50this is one more last and final warning.
03:52Understand?
03:54Git.
03:56Tapeworm he is.
04:16Ah.
04:20Don't just sit there gawping, girl.
04:22What do you think this is, show day?
04:24You finished upstairs yet?
04:26Well, I was going to do the study while he's out.
04:28Where are they?
04:30She's having a look at the horse.
04:32Ah. Well, now we hear some reason.
04:34She knows twice as much about horses as he does.
04:36I only hope she's got the sense
04:38not to let him see it.
04:40All right. Get on with it.
04:46And what makes you such an authority, my dear?
04:48John, you forget. I was brought up among horses.
04:50Really, you're making too much.
04:52A valuable horse
04:54is deliberately injured.
04:56You don't know it was deliberate.
04:58Oh, John, really, there's no need to call the police.
05:00It will only make you look foolish.
05:02I mean, couldn't we just try the liniment and bandage?
05:06Very well, my dear.
05:08I bow to your superior knowledge.
05:10Let us try the liniment.
05:12I think you put it away in your study.
05:32Ah. My liniment, please, Martha.
05:34It's in the pantry.
05:36What would we be doing in my pantry?
05:38Think I use it for mixing dough or something?
05:40Come, that is enough impermanence.
05:42What am I looking for?
05:44My good woman, I told you.
05:46Rose Embrocation. I put it on the top shelf.
05:48Please get it.
05:50Not there.
05:52Try the cupboard in your study.
05:58Open this door
06:00immediately.
06:02I know every single thing there.
06:04This instant.
06:12Come on.
06:22Use that!
06:24Ow!
06:42Judy.
06:58Judy, I got something for you.
07:00All by myself, too.
07:04It's not much, because Father came
07:06and I got a spank.
07:08But I didn't tell.
07:11Hey, Judy, wake up.
07:13I got something.
07:15Aren't you going to eat them?
07:17Have some corned beef, or some onions, or some...
07:19Oh, don't take them away.
07:21You mean girl, Judy.
07:23I nearly got killed getting them.
07:25Oh, go away.
07:31My head,
07:33my feet,
07:35they ache so.
07:37I got hit here and here.
07:40Oh, it's so cold.
07:43Why doesn't the rain stop?
07:46Help if I'm coming.
07:51Please let me come in.
07:53I've walked hundreds and hundreds of miles.
07:58It's cold.
08:01Have some, Judy.
08:03Don't be silly.
08:05I nearly got killed getting it.
08:07Please, Judy.
08:09Don't send me back.
08:12Please don't.
08:14Please let me go.
08:16Oh, Judy, don't.
08:18Don't die.
08:25Let's go home.
08:30Let's go home.
08:38Paddy!
08:40To your room, young man.
08:42There to ruminate on your thieving ways.
08:44Pick up!
09:01Feeling peckish yet?
09:03No, thank you.
09:05You're having lunch now.
09:07I've saved you some lovely broth and a nice bit of cold chicken.
09:09No, thank you, Martha.
09:13Why's Bunty keeping up that noise?
09:15Oh, he's locked in his room, and fair enough.
09:19Maybe a bit of broth later on?
09:21No, I'd be sick.
09:23I've got some spare time this afternoon
09:25if you want any sewing done or anything.
09:28You could help me let out my dresses.
09:30Of course I will, love.
09:32You've got a lovely little figure, the way God made it.
09:36You let me know if there's anything.
09:38Martha!
09:41I'm sorry.
09:43I'm sorry I was so rude to you yesterday.
09:45That's all right, lovey.
09:47We've all got to grow up.
09:53Let me out, please!
09:55Somebody let me out!
09:57Please, somebody!
09:59Please let me out!
10:01Please let me out!
10:03Like who?
10:04Let me out!
10:06Like you, Aunt Vicky, if your father hears this rumbus,
10:08you shut up or you'll be there till Christmas.
10:10Let me out!
10:12Oh, please!
10:14Please let me out, somebody!
10:17Oh, let me out!
10:19Me, somebody!
10:21Bunty, please, please, please be quiet
10:24or Father will come out and beat you again
10:27and I'll cry!
10:29Judy, you made them let me out!
10:31Esther says Mother will let you out at four o'clock
10:34if you're good and promise not to steal.
10:37I wasn't stealing!
10:39And not tell Fibs, neither.
10:41Baby, listen, I promise not to tell anyone,
10:44but you've got to get me out because I know something
10:46and I've got to tell Meg.
10:48Please, baby, I've got to.
10:50It's about Judy.
10:52I've seen her and she's...
10:54Oh, you great big fib, Bunty Walcott.
10:56Judy's way up in the mountains
10:58and no one can see except a gentle Jesus.
11:03Pig, you pig, you old pig!
11:06She'll die!
11:08She'll die in so long!
11:10You'll all be sorry!
11:12Oh!
11:29Heading off to Sydney again, I suppose,
11:31with that larrikin.
11:32He's not.
11:33I know his type. Get what he can, then off.
11:35Never see him again.
11:36Oh, he's not like that at all.
11:38He said we'll be married the minute we can earn enough together for a house.
11:41And I tell you, I'm counting the hours
11:43till I can swing the gate on the lot of you.
11:45That's nice.
11:46Well, you'd better tell Romeo not to spend so much time
11:49chatting up that flighty new piece over at Courtney's, hadn't you?
11:52You go on all the time about me having a lover.
11:55What about your dear Miss Meg?
11:57What about A. Courtney Esquire?
12:01Hmph!
12:08Oh, weep my heart, I'll know no peace.
12:11My flowing eyes.
12:14Lise, guise, cise.
12:17Cercise.
12:20Sweet Cercise.
12:24How may I repeat thy name?
12:27Lovely.
12:29Home sweet.
12:31Glorious.
12:33Secret name.
12:35Without.
12:46Bunty!
12:47Bunty, you idiot!
12:49I'll call father!
12:50It's Judy!
12:51She's dying, you've got to help!
12:53What?
12:54She's down there talking all funny and dying!
12:56Meg, you've got to!
12:57What are you talking about?
12:58Judy, I told you!
13:01Bunty, if this is just one of your fibs...
13:03It's not, it's not!
13:04She's run away and she's in the shed and she's dying!
13:07And she made me promise not to tell anyone!
13:09And I didn't!
13:10Not even when father beat me!
13:11And she's all by herself!
13:13All right, you wait here.
13:14No, I found her!
13:15I've got to help her!
13:16All right, but be quiet.
13:26Damn it!
13:57Judy?
13:59Megsie?
14:01Judy!
14:03Judy!
14:04Oh, my Judy, look!
14:07I had to come, Megsie!
14:09I ran away!
14:10Judy, where are you?
14:12Tired.
14:13It was a long, long way.
14:16And it rained.
14:19I won't go back, Megsie.
14:21I won't.
14:22I won't!
14:24Please, don't tell.
14:26We must tell somebody.
14:28We must do something.
14:30Oh, don't be an idiot.
14:32They'd send me back.
14:34It's just a cough.
14:35I'm always getting coughs.
14:37All right, all right.
14:39It's all right.
14:40It's all right.
14:42Such a long, long way.
14:46And it rained.
14:48And it rained.
14:50And it rained.
14:51And it rained.
14:53Not all downhill.
14:56And watery and wet.
14:58And my feet...
15:01My feet hurt.
15:03What are we gonna do?
15:04She didn't need any of the things I gave her.
15:08Poor old buddy.
15:10She hasn't been eating for a week.
15:15That's the last time I take you fishing.
15:18Pip!
15:19Judy, I'll get him.
15:22Pip!
15:23Quick, it's Judy.
15:25Judy?
15:26She's here in the shed.
15:27She ran away.
15:35Biz!
15:35Biz, old girl.
15:36I found her.
15:38Dearest Juju.
15:41You told me to come, so here I am.
15:43But how did you?
15:44I didn't mean to walk, but I lost my money.
15:47Pip, we ought to get the doctor.
15:49No, please.
15:49They'd tell father.
15:51Doctor be hanged.
15:52We'll look after her.
15:54Poor old Judy.
15:56Don't worry.
15:57I still think we ought to.
15:59Can we tell Esther?
16:00No.
16:01You can tell father for sure.
16:02Please, don't tell anyone.
16:04Only baby.
16:05But not the general.
16:06He's talking now.
16:08I won't go back.
16:10Don't let them send me back.
16:12I'm so shivery.
16:14Poor old Biz.
16:16She hasn't eaten nothing.
16:18I'll get some broth.
16:19Something hot.
16:21Brandy and water is jolly good for fevers, isn't it?
16:23Dearest Juju, we will look after you.
16:26Beautifully.
16:50Well, and how did you get on with it?
16:53What?
16:54Martha, I do wish you would knock.
16:56You're not up to any more funny business.
16:58Don't be ridiculous.
16:59It just happens to be good manners
17:01to knock on bedroom doors.
17:02Oh, I see.
17:05Well, you're back to normal, aren't you?
17:08Plate of broth, half a chicken, Sago pudding,
17:10and tea drunk out of a pot, it seems,
17:12when half an hour ago a teaspoonful
17:14would have made you sick.
17:15Seems love does funny things to some people, doesn't it?
17:18I don't know what you mean.
17:21What you got your winter woollies out for?
17:24I'm just going through them.
17:26You're not going to let your waist out then?
17:29Not this afternoon, no.
17:30Why not, might I ask?
17:32No.
17:33Martha, I do wish you would mind your own business.
17:35Please just take the tray.
17:40Very good, miss.
17:49Come on.
17:54I wish I could get her the food.
17:56Dad, you have to ask Rex to help you.
17:58But I always do.
17:59Auntie, do you hear me?
18:02Do you want to come out, or don't you?
18:05Answer me.
18:08Shall I speak to your father,
18:10or do you want to spend the rest of your life
18:12in bed with me?
18:15Shall I speak to your father,
18:16or do you want to spend the rest of your life in there?
18:21Righto, my lad, you just stay there.
18:25And just what do you think?
18:28The captain's best brandy?
18:32Here, you put that right back.
18:34Go and hang your grandmother.
18:36Now, just a minute, my lad.
18:37You come back here.
18:39You come back here this minute, you hear me?
18:43Martha!
18:45This is not the fishmongers.
18:47If you're interested, young Pip...
18:49Did I not ask for complete quiet this afternoon?
18:52Pip, come back here!
18:54Captain, if you happen...
18:56Is there no direction you can obey, woman,
18:57without an argument?
19:00Yes, sir.
19:02Like minding my own business.
19:13Well, we're home.
19:32Where is everyone, Martha?
19:33I wouldn't know, ma'am.
19:34And what's more, it's none of my flaming business.
19:44Father never comes down here.
19:46You can all sneak down to see me.
19:48And please bring the general to play outside
19:49so I can see him.
19:50But, Judy, it's cold and draughty,
19:52and you've got that awful cough.
19:55Please, let me tell father.
19:56I can explain and beg him not to send you back.
19:59If you tell Meg, I'll run away this very night
20:02and walk to Melbourne or Jerusalem
20:04and never see any of you again.
20:06Judy, you mustn't go!
20:08Father would only ship her back whatever we said,
20:10and there'd be a frightful stink about it.
20:12Meg, just a week.
20:14I didn't tell.
20:15I nearly got half killed.
20:17Meg, you couldn't be such an awful sneak.
20:19Don't be a baby, Meg.
20:21Promise, Meg, promise.
20:28I promise.
20:29Properly.
20:32See it wet, see it dry,
20:34cross my heart and hope to die.
20:38Now we're all together,
20:40just as it used to be,
20:41just as we were.
21:02Hey, you've spilt it quite wrong.
21:04You rub that out and start again.
21:06Oh, here you are at last, Margaret.
21:08Is your headache quite gone?
21:10Yes, thank you, Miss Marsh.
21:12Really, dear, you must have the doctor examine you.
21:14You seem to be having one every day.
21:16Now, please finish that English pastry,
21:18and I'll see you tomorrow.
21:20Good-bye.
21:21Good-bye.
21:22Good-bye.
21:23Good-bye.
21:24Good-bye.
21:25Good-bye.
21:26Good-bye.
21:27Good-bye.
21:28Good-bye.
21:29Good-bye.
21:30Please finish that English pastry.
21:31Yes, Miss Marsh.
21:35Your father does insist you keep up your English studies.
21:41Yes, Nelly?
21:42Please may I leave the room, Miss Marsh?
21:44Again?
21:48Oh, very well, dear,
21:49but please try not to take so long this time.
21:53Bunty,
21:55you will just have to wait.
21:59Winifred, don't be silly.
22:00You know you don't want to.
22:01I feel sick.
22:02Sicker, sicker, sick.
22:04Oh, Nelly, please look after her.
22:08What is the matter with you children?
22:15Wait for me, Nelly.
22:16Quiet, baby.
22:35Juju.
22:38Dearest Juju, have you been lonely?
22:41Meg's been here for hours.
22:42I wish I'd thought of having headaches.
22:44I can't stay long,
22:45or old Minnie Marsh will be banging on the dub-dub door.
22:47I said I was sick.
22:49I told a big fear.
22:51So did I.
22:52But I think God will consider the circumstances et cetera
22:55extenuating, don't you?
22:58Juju.
23:02Don't worry.
23:03It's only when you make me laugh it hurts my funny butt.
23:06How's the general?
23:07Bring him down today so I can see him again?
23:09Judy, darling, we're going to make you well in no time.
23:12Did I tell you?
23:13It's all settled.
23:14When I grow up, I'm going to be a nurse.
23:16I don't have to wait that long, do I?
23:21Thank you, Martha.
23:27Martha, I do not wish you to make anything of it to Mrs. Wolcott,
23:31but is there anything that the children could have been eating
23:35that would cause them to spend a great deal of time leaving the room?
23:41I mean something that would upset them in that way.
23:46My cooking doesn't upset anyone anyway.
23:49Oh, no, no.
23:50Of course not.
23:52I suppose it must be the cold weather.
23:55Strange.
23:56Very strange.
23:57I mean all of them.
24:00Well, goodbye, Martha.
24:04Oh, thank you.
24:09You're late.
24:10There you go.
24:11Janie, get off.
24:13Oh, you don't half scare me to death.
24:22Where are the others?
24:23Don't ask me where anyone is these days.
24:26Nothing from her today either.
24:28From who?
24:31What's got into you?
24:33Your little sister you were worrying yourself silly about a couple of days ago.
24:36Remember?
24:37One up in the mountains, name of Judy?
24:39She'll be all right.
24:41Here, just what is going on?
24:44How?
24:45You're not up to anything?
24:46Crikey, in what way?
24:48Like what's become of that little table out of the nursery?
24:52Piece of old carpet from the top of the landing?
24:55Martha, what would I want with...
24:57What would you want with a bottle of your father's best brandy?
25:00Oh, that?
25:01That was only a joke.
25:03I'd put it back.
25:04What about the cane chair from the veranda?
25:07That old spirit stove from the pantry?
25:09That old washstand set from the cupboard?
25:12Jiminy, who's furnishing government house?
25:15Oh, so that's it.
25:18Well, Martha, our little shrinking violet,
25:20soon you'll be able to get married after all.
25:22What's that supposed to mean?
25:23Your days with us are numbered.
25:26Who says?
25:28Hasn't poor old Malcolm McLaughlin McRuggis up at Parramatta always said he'd marry you lass?
25:32As soon as you get foreign she'll be your hoose for you.
25:35Well, looks like it's well on the way.
25:39I'll furnish something for you for that.
26:01Still no letter from Judy?
26:03Just more bills.
26:06If we don't hear by the end of the week, I must write to the Ottleys or something.
26:10This is ridiculous.
27:33© BF-WATCH TV 2021