The Lawsons
| Genre | Serial drama |
|---|---|
| Running time | played twice daily |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Language(s) | English |
| Syndicates | ABC |
| Written by | Gwen Meredith |
| Original release | February 21, 1944 – February 25, 1949 |
| No. of episodes | 1,299[1] |
The Lawsons was an Australian radio serial created and written by Gwen Meredith that ran daily from 1944 to 1949. It was a forerunner to the better known Blue Hills.[2][3]
The show began as a propaganda series to introduce modern farming methods.[4] Merredith researched it at a station near Gunnedah.[5]
The serial was hugely popular immediately and ran for five years.[6]
Meredith adapted the series into a play and a novel.[7]
Premise[edit]
The adventures of the Lawson family who live on a farm.[8]
Stage Play[edit]
Meredith wrote a stage play version of the radio serial. It toured New South Wales regional areas in 1950 with a cast including Ed Devereaux.[9] The play was presented by J.C. Williamson's Ltd.[10]
Cast of 1950 Tour[edit]
- Pamela Bygrave as Sue
- George Simpson Lyttle as mr Lawson
- Jean Blue as Mrs. Lawson
- Billee Lockwood as Hilda
- Dorothea Dunstan as Emmy
- Edward Devereaux as Ted Lawson
- Peter Morris as Brian
- Mary Bartholomew as Jean Lawson
- Pat Penny as Max Ralston
- Edmund Allison as Joe
- Ben Lewin as Archie.
References[edit]
- ^ "End In Sight For "Lawsons"". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 650. New South Wales, Australia. 11 January 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "BLUE HILLS, NEW GWEN MEREDITH SERIAL TO FOLLOW THE LAWSONS", ABC weekly, Sydney, 15 January 1949, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ "LAWSONS RECORDS", ABC weekly, Sydney, 15 January 1949, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ ""Lawsons" Author Never Listens To Serials". The Sunday Herald (Sydney). No. 2. New South Wales, Australia. 30 January 1949. p. 6. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Farm and Home Hour", ABC weekly, Sydney: ABC, 19 February 1944, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ "The Lawsons are real people to listeners", ABC weekly, Sydney, 25 November 1944, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ "GWEN MEREDITH IS WRITING LAWSONS NOVEL", ABC weekly, Sydney: ABC, 8 June 1946, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ "MEET THE LAWSONS Down the farm!", ABC weekly, Sydney, 8 September 1945, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
- ^ ""The Lawsons" for Wagga". Daily Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 10 February 1950. p. 2. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Lawsons Has World Premiere As Stage Play", ABC weekly, Sydney, 28 January 1950, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove