Matthew and Son | |
---|---|
Directed by | Gary Conway |
Written by | Christine Schofield Marcus Cole |
Based on | short story by
Bert Deling Michael Aitkens |
Produced by | Damien Parer |
Starring |
Paul Cronin Darius Perkins Paula Duncan |
Production company | Television House Films |
Distributed by | Channel Ten |
Release date | 5 August 1984 |
Running time | 75 mins |
Country | Australia |
Language | English |
Budget | $800,000 [1] |
Matthew and Son is a 1984 Australian television film about a single parent who is a police surgeon. It was filmed May to June 1984 and is a pilot for a TV series that never eventuated. [1]
The film was one of several projects Paul Cronin made when at Channel Ten, and was done for Johnny Young's company. Cronin:
It was based on the life of Dr John Birrell, the police surgeon, who was instrumental in the .05 and seatbelt legislation. A fascinating man – I met him, and he was a great character to play. Ten Brisbane, Ten Melbourne and Ten Adelaide committed to a series – they had a 7:30 timeslot allocated for it and all – and the only fly in the ointment was Ten Sydney. They would not commit. The telemovie rated well when it did go to air. It was a very, very well constructed show, but Johnny's company collapsed after that, and I left channel Ten. [2]
The cast includes Cronin as Matthew Caine, Paula Duncan as social worker Barbara Dean, Darius Perkins as Matthew's son Stephen, and Nicole Kidman as Stephen's friend Bridgette Elliot. [3]