SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS - Episode 9 - "The Picnic" - video Dailymotion

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SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS - Episode 9 - "The Picnic" Originally broadcast 21st October 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

Transcript

01:00Dear, wonderful Yara Happiny, how the weeks sped by, and we didn't even notice.

01:19We had all been so immersed in our own lives, poor Meg falling in and out of love, Pip growing

01:26up so suddenly, Judy beginning to feel left behind, all our little dramas.

01:33To me they seemed such small shadows in that joyous sunshine, but now with the spring,

01:41I think we are all feeling a little homesick.

01:44Soon we must go home to Miss Ruhle.

01:48Here, get these out to the laundry.

01:55What did you tell me to do the carpets?

01:58Got two hands, haven't you?

02:00Get a hustle on, girl, there's this floor to polish, remember?

02:03Oh, I don't know, anyone would think the Queen of Sheba lived here instead of a bunch of kids.

02:07That's enough sauce, now get.

02:13Queen of Sheba, I'll take the Queen of Sheba.

02:20May I ask what in the name of blazers?

02:23They're coming back, I want this place spotless.

02:25Good grief, woman, they're not due back for three or four days.

02:27Do you expect me to live in a state of chaos?

02:29There's only cold mutton for dinner tonight, so don't say I didn't warn you.

02:33Cold mutton?

02:35On account of those curtains in Judy's room are a disgrace, and I want to run up some more.

02:40That'll be two and fourpence hope in the outer house keeping, that all right?

02:44Two and four...

02:46Oh, what are you making them of?

02:48Cloth of gold?

02:50You might see about a new bedspread for her, too.

02:54Do the room out, make it fresh and bright, you know?

02:57Take an extra two shillings from housekeeping if you must, but only if you must.

03:01Very good, sir, I'll do my best.

03:09I wonder if they miss him as much as he misses them.

03:11He missed them?

03:15I sometimes think, my girl,

03:17that if I took off the top of your head, I'd find nothing but hot air like a balloon.

03:39Show us again, please, Essie. Hold it up.

03:41You look like a fairy princess.

03:43It's not too young.

03:45Don't be ridiculous. It's lovely.

03:47Is everyone going to be dressed up? Why out here?

03:50Of course.

03:52I promise next time I'll take all of you.

03:54A picnic's much more fun than a ball, especially when we're all together.

03:58Judy, I don't think the general should go.

04:00Why not?

04:02He's far too young and all day is too much for him.

04:04He'd better stay here with Grandma.

04:06But this'll probably be our last one at Yarra Happening, won't it?

04:09Yes, I'm afraid so.

04:11Your father wants us to come back on the next train.

04:15Only two and a half days.

04:19Poor old father. I suppose he's been missing us.

04:22It's time we went home.

04:25Essie, we must be together for our last picnic.

04:28Please let me take dear old Jenny with.

04:30Tiger.

04:32Barney.

04:34Coggy.

04:36Come on, you guys. Hurry up.

04:38We are hurrying up.

04:40Pass off the hamper, will you, please, Meg?

04:42Give it to me.

04:44Come on, Meg. We'll never get there.

04:53Judy, do be careful of him, won't you, please?

04:58They look very, very fierce.

05:01They want her to fly.

05:03Put her in the middle and hold on tight.

05:05Come on, kids. It ought to be too late starting.

05:09Come on, Nell. We'll swap places.

05:11Come on, General.

05:13I want to sit on the basket.

05:15No, you don't. Just sit down and shut up.

05:17He just wants to eat something when nobody's looking.

05:19Go on, Rita.

05:21Go on, Rita, yourself.

05:23No, no, children.

05:25All set?

05:27Judy, your coat.

05:30Meg, make sure she puts it on if it gets cold this evening.

05:33Now, remain seated, everybody.

05:36Get them moving, Bert.

05:38Come on.

05:40Come on.

05:42Let's go.

05:46Do be careful, all of you.

05:48Oh, don't fuss, Essie. Of course they'll be careful.

05:50Take a look after them.

05:52Have a nice picnic.

05:54And you have a splendiferous ball.

05:56And don't worry, Essie. I'll look after the General, I promise.

05:58And don't go wandering away.

06:00They say there are bunyips in the gully.

06:02Who's scared of bunyips?

06:04I am.

06:06Bye.

06:08Have a lovely time.

06:12Bye.

06:26I hope they'll be all right.

06:28It's a long day for the little ones.

06:30Don't worry about them. They'll have the time of their lives.

06:32All set?

06:34Give my love to the Cosgroves and the O'Connells

06:36and Maud and Edith and everyone.

06:38Goodbye, Mama.

06:41Too much to do.

06:43Look after yourselves.

06:45Be back tomorrow afternoon.

06:47Unless I decide to run off with Edie Musgrove.

06:49I'll watch him, Mama.

06:51Get up, Sammy.

07:10Bye.

07:12Bye.

07:14Bye.

07:18Where's my dolly?

07:20We haven't found my dolly.

07:22Oh, baby, we must have left it behind.

07:24Come back and sit with me.

07:26That's the girl.

07:28Bunty, don't be idiotic. You can't start eating now.

07:30We've only just started.

07:32Well, I'm hungry.

07:34Leave it alone.

07:36Hey, do you reckon there really are bunyips?

07:38Yes, there are.

07:40They live in the billabong.

07:42They come out at night and eat you up.

07:44Bunty, stop it.

07:46It'll be fun coming back in the dark, bunyips and all.

07:48How are we going to get back if it's dark?

07:50The Bullocks know the way.

07:52Stupid.

07:54I hope so.

07:56Old MacDonald had a farm.

07:58E-I-E-I-O

08:00And on that farm he had a

08:02Duck. E-I-E-I-O

08:04With a quack, quack here and a quack, quack there

08:06Old MacDonald had a farm.

08:08E-I-E-I-O

08:10And on that farm he had a

08:12Duck. E-I-E-I-O

08:14With a whoop, whoop here and a whoop, whoop there

08:16Here a whoop, there a whoop, everywhere a whoop, whoop

08:18Old MacDonald had a farm.

08:20E-I-E-I-O

08:30This holiday's done you the world of good, Essie.

08:32You're beginning to look your old self again.

08:34I didn't realise how tired I was.

08:36Six children's a big responsibility.

08:38Especially when you're not much more than one yourself.

08:40And then you added to the score.

08:42I'm very happy, Dad, truly.

08:44I know you are.

08:46You must bring them all back again.

08:48Whenever you can.

09:04Old MacDonald had a farm.

09:06E-I-E-I-O

09:08And on that farm he had a

09:10Duck. E-I-E-I-O

09:12Old MacDonald had a farm.

09:14E-I-E-I-O

09:16And on that farm he had a

09:18Duck. E-I-E-I-O

09:20Oh, beautiful,

09:22beautiful sky.

09:24I wish I could fly straight up into it.

09:26You'll fly straight onto the track

09:28if you don't watch out. Sit down.

09:30How would I be as a poet?

09:32I wish I could fly

09:34way up high, like a fly.

09:36How's that, Mr Gillett?

09:38What was that?

09:40You weren't listening.

09:42You were quoting poetry to yourself.

09:44Certainly not.

09:46I can hear it distinctly.

09:48Really?

09:50Your eyes are saying it, your left ear is saying it,

09:52and the ends of your moustache are saying it.

09:54Judy.

09:56Good heavens, can I keep no secret?

09:59Oh, that I was where I would be.

10:01Then I would be where I'm not.

10:03But where I am, I still must be.

10:05And where I would be, I cannot.

10:07Judy. Oh, Meg.

10:09Why are you making those faces at me?

10:11Sit down,

10:13you goat.

10:17Nell, hold baby for me.

10:19I'm going to walk. My legs are stiff.

10:21Hey, that's not allowed.

10:24Meggie, Meggie,

10:26you're getting left behind.

10:28Oh, don't be silly, baby.

10:30I can walk faster than you're going.

10:32Fancy walking when you can ride.

10:34Let's play I Spy.

10:36What's the matter with old Meg?

10:38My gosh, she's still stuck on Gillett.

10:40Shh.

10:52Hey, there's some wildflowers coming out already.

10:54Come, if you like.

10:56Meggie, don't be so upset about Mr. Gillett.

10:59I don't want to talk about it.

11:01I don't see why you have to go all weepy

11:03just because you've discovered he boozes.

11:05Judy.

11:07Lots of gentlemen do.

11:11How did you know about Mr. Gillett?

11:13Everybody was talking about him.

11:15You were just too moony to hear.

11:17It was terrible.

11:19I hate him.

11:22I thought I could help him.

11:24I believed in him.

11:30Oh, Judy.

11:34I thought he was the most brilliant

11:36and noble man in the world.

11:39And he's just a drunkard.

11:43Poor Meggie.

11:45Don't cry.

11:47You know, I think the trouble is you always expect people

11:49to be as nice as you are.

11:51It's like the end of the world.

11:53Oh, that's what I thought

11:55when Father sent me away to school.

11:57It wasn't.

11:59Hey, you two, come on. Keep up with us, will you?

12:03I don't want him, Mr. Gillett, to see me like this.

12:07Gillett sent me back to find you.

12:09Oh, Meg, I'm sorry.

12:11I suppose you knew, too.

12:13Everybody knew but me.

12:15I still think he's a very decent bloke.

12:17Don't have it down on him, old girl.

12:19He's feeling pretty bad about it, too.

12:21And anyway, you're silly going on with all that grown-up stuff

12:23about getting married and that rot.

12:25It's not rot.

12:27People do grow up and get married.

12:29They can't stay the same forever.

12:33Do you think if we're not at home, we're still us?

12:35What?

12:37I always think of us at Miss Rule.

12:39That's when we're really us, isn't it?

12:41When I was at that awful school, I didn't feel me at all.

12:43Perhaps when we're not at Miss Rule,

12:45we're somebody else.

12:47Oh, Judy!

12:49What a lot of rot.

12:51It's not rot.

12:53I only feel me when we're together.

12:55I'm nothing at all when I'm by myself,

12:57when we're all together now.

12:59And that's how we're jolly well going to stay.

13:01Doesn't seem real, does it?

13:03In two more days, we'll be back home and back to normal.

13:05I'm glad, aren't you?

13:07Yes. Yes, I suppose I am.

13:09Poor old father.

13:11I wonder what he's got to do with me.

13:13I wonder what...

13:15Meggie! Meggie! Please don't get lost, Meggie!

13:17Come on. I'll race you.

13:23Are you afraid I might lose you?

13:25Let me help you up, Miss Meg.

13:31I spy with my little eye something starting with A.

13:33A...

13:35A...

13:37Air!

13:39Silly!

13:41Antiflogestion plaster!

13:43Antiflogestion? Nobody's got a plaster on.

13:45Mr. Gillet, mate! It's good for all sorts of things.

13:47Oh, shut up, Fiz.

13:49Anyway, it's A. And there's a whole line of them going into the picnic basket.

13:51Oh!

13:53No!

13:55Three Blind Mice!

13:57Let's sing Three Blind Mice.

13:59All right, you'll start us off, baby.

14:01Three Blind Mice...

14:03Three Blind Mice...

14:05Three Helping Mice...

14:07They all relate to the farmer's wife, the kind of bitch that'll be coming up.

14:12They all relate to the farmer's wife, the kind of bitch that'll be coming up.

14:16Three by nine, three by nine, three by nine.

14:22They all relate to the farmer's wife, the kind of bitch that'll be coming up.

14:26They all relate to the farmer's wife, the kind of bitch that'll be coming up.

14:31I can see a hut!

14:32Where?

14:33Look over there!

14:34There it is.

14:35This is it.

14:36Krangi Batu.

14:37It's beautiful.

14:38I'll bet there's Jabbies in that water.

14:39Anyone home?

14:40He's probably inside.

14:41I don't know what he'll think of you lot.

14:42Why?

14:43We'd hardly frighten him.

14:44Ah, he doesn't get many visitors.

14:45Probably hasn't seen any children in ages.

14:46He's lived here a long time.

14:47I'm sure he'll like it.

14:48I'm sure he'll like it.

14:49I'm sure he'll like it.

14:50I'm sure he'll like it.

14:51I'm sure he'll like it.

14:52I'm sure he'll like it.

14:53I'm sure he'll like it.

14:54I'm sure he'll like it.

14:55I'm sure he'll like it.

14:57Probably hasn't seen any children in ages.

14:59He's lived here alone for seven years.

15:02I suppose now he prefers it.

15:05He used to be a boundary rider on the far boundaries.

15:09They've become very solitary fellows.

15:26Leave the wagon here, Bert.

15:27I'll have a word with Brown.

15:28You can start unpacking.

15:36That big gun.

15:37King Cory?

15:38Mm.

15:40Well, the wind must have knocked it over.

15:42Mr. Hassell once had dragged over to the dam down the creek.

15:45Yeah.

15:47He'd like you to go with Bert and give him a hand.

15:57Is it true that you've lived here for seven years?

16:00Yeah.

16:02But isn't it lonely?

16:04Not to mention out of doors a lot.

16:08What do you do with yourself when you're not outside?

16:11Smoke.

16:12But on Sundays and all through the evenings?

16:17Smoke.

16:18On Christmas Day, then what does you do?

16:22Smoke.

16:23But don't you forget how to talk?

16:25Ah.

16:32You'll get the team back before sundown, Bert.

16:34Yeah.

16:39There'll be men at the creek to help.

16:41Guess that.

16:44There's water in the tub closer than the creek.

16:49There might be snakes in there.

16:51Could be early this year.

16:53We'll watch out.

16:57They won't be back till late afternoon.

16:59I'm going to see if there's any yabbies in the creek.

17:01Pip, what about the fire?

17:02I'll light a fire.

17:03Let them play.

17:04Won't be long.

17:05Shall I help you, Meggie?

17:07No, you run along too.

17:08Come on, baby.

17:09Let's go and pick wildflowers.

17:15I can do this, thank you.

17:23I can do this.

17:54Food, everyone.

18:05My chop's nearly done.

18:07You can have this one, Meg.

18:11We used to do this every night when I was mustering sheep.

18:14I'd rather have some fowl.

18:16And now for the piece de resistance.

18:18Good iron, you made a damper.

18:20We're not going to eat that.

18:22It's filthy.

18:23It's only ashes.

18:24It's very good for the digestion.

18:26Wait until you taste it.

18:28I bet I like damper.

18:29You'd like anything.

18:31To be eaten with great wallops of butter.

18:34Here we are.

18:35It's hot.

18:36It's a beauty.

18:37Pip.

18:39Thanks.

18:40What are you thinking about, Meggie?

18:41Going home tomorrow?

18:43No.

18:45I was thinking how beautiful Esther looked.

18:48I'd like to have gone to that ball.

18:50Who'd want a dreary old ball when we can have all this?

18:54Fancy giving up chops and damper for fat old men treading over your toes.

18:58No thanks.

19:00Have a piece of damper, Meg.

19:17Go, Sam.

19:21The nuns.

19:22Remember them?

19:23Mum will go away.

19:24Dad, I'm so excited.

19:26You look 17 again.

19:28Tom, come here.

19:30You remember my daughter Esther?

19:32Tom O'Connor, brilliant dancer.

19:34Of course I remember.

19:35How are you?

19:36The last time I saw you was when you played at that bullshit ball.

19:39Before I was married.

19:40That's right.

19:41An army man, wasn't he?

19:43Must be five years back.

19:45Well, I suppose you have a little nipple by now, too.

19:47I have seven.

19:51Don't be a pig, Bunty.

19:54You can't eat any more.

19:56Mmm, gorgeous.

19:57Actually, that damper is rather delicious, isn't it?

20:00Isn't it?

20:01Except there wasn't enough.

20:03What about a game of hidey, Pip?

20:05I'm too full, Fiz.

20:06That fruit salad did for me.

20:08I bet if Ringo Mulligan asked you to play, you'd break your leg jumping up.

20:11Mulligan wouldn't ask.

20:12Why?

20:13Because he's a man.

20:14And men don't play children's games.

20:16Pooh, you're only a boy anyway.

20:20Pip!

20:22Oh, come on, Pip.

20:23We haven't played together much this holiday.

20:27You spent most of your time with sheep and cows and things.

20:30I don't know. You'll have to stop it soon.

20:32Stop what?

20:33All this dashing around like a bush black.

20:35Why?

20:37Well, crikey, you'll be wearing long skirts soon.

20:39You'll have to change then.

20:41I won't.

20:42If I don't want to, I don't have to.

20:44I'm going to stay free as a bush black and dash around where I like.

20:47So there.

20:51Hey, who's for a game of hidey?

20:53Mr. Brown's hat can be whippy.

20:55I begged being he.

20:58Oh, come on, Pip.

21:00I'm right at the top of the hill.

21:05I'll take the genny.

21:06What about the clearing up?

21:08You'll do it, won't you, darling Megsie?

21:10We'll wash the plates later, promise.

21:12All right. Come on, General.

21:14Be careful with her, General.

21:21Ah, ah, ah.

21:23You look hot, Miss Meg.

21:25Rest in the shade. I'll do this.

21:27No, thank you. I prefer to do it myself.

21:29One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

21:34Don't tell her where I've gone.

21:36Nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen.

21:43It seems we are to say goodbye on a sour note.

21:47Here.

21:48Here is your ribbon.

21:53I had hoped you might say keep it in spite of everything.

21:56Just as a talisman against the future.

21:58It would be as useless as it has been.

22:02Then I'm not to be given a second chance.

22:05Of what use would it be?

22:08If I begged you.

22:10If my influence is so useless,

22:12I don't see how a piece of ribbon is going to make any difference to your future.

22:16I dare say you're right.

22:23Of course, if you really wanted it.

22:27Keep it.

22:28To tie up your hair with, little girl.

22:30After all, I suppose you're quite right.

22:32What use would it be?

22:39It's an odd thing.

22:41It's an odd thing.

22:43How the gentlest looking women are nearly always the hardest.

22:47You've no right to say that.

22:49Oh, Miss Meg.

22:51You have given me so much in the past few weeks.

22:55May I, in poor return, give you a little advice?

22:59If you like.

23:02You have brothers.

23:05Someday they may go a little stray.

23:07Don't be too hard on them.

23:09They can see it for themselves right enough.

23:11The whole world has a beautiful frown all its own

23:15and an endless vocabulary of cold words for the backsliders.

23:20Without you having to add to them.

23:23Seeing you like that.

23:25After all you'd said.

23:27All men aren't heroes, Miss Meg.

23:31Merely human.

23:35Think of Pip.

23:38Suppose he did something wrong

23:41and the world in its usual fashion threw stones at him.

23:46So he came home feeling pretty wretched and lonely.

23:50And Meg, because she wants everyone to be so perfect

23:54she threw stones at him too to teach him a sharp lesson.

23:59But Judy, because she loved him

24:02and he was in trouble and needed her strength

24:04she flung her arms around him and helped him to fight the world again.

24:09Which sister's influence would be the greater, do you think?

24:13Who would be the kinder?

24:16I'm sorry.

24:19I believed in you so much.

24:28And I failed you.

24:31Forgive me for talking to you like this.

24:34I had no right.

24:36Except that I couldn't bear the thought of you growing hard as my sister did.

24:43You agree I've no right, my life having been what it was.

24:46No!

24:47Please, I don't think that.

24:50I was just thinking how horrible I've been.

25:00Dear little Miss Meg, don't.

25:07Will you please take it again?

25:31Judy, be careful! Do you want to break your neck?

25:34Oh, Pooh! The General's dying for a banana!

25:37And it's a dead body I shall live to see myself if you've eaten all the oranges.

25:41And what happened to the game of hide and seek?

25:43Given up on account of the General cheating and knowing where everyone was.

25:49I suppose you've been reading stupid poetry and making Meg cry.

25:53Such behaviour on a picnic.

25:56Saving oranges, though, isn't it?

25:59Saving oranges, though, and that's a blessing.

26:11You are grubby.

26:14Hey, I've found a terrific place for yabbies.

26:17Nana.

26:19Oh, alright.

26:23Don't eat it all at once.

26:26Just wait till I catch you, just wait.

26:33Hey, I've got a tick!

26:35Pip, there's an enormous great tick burrowing into my wrist.

26:39Well, pull it out, you dope.

26:52Fizz, look!

26:56Jenny!

27:07Fizz!

27:25To Be Continued

27:55To Be Continued

28:25To Be Continued

SEVEN LITTLE AUSTRALIANS - Episode 9 - "The Picnic"

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