Homicide is an Australian television police procedural drama series broadcast on the Seven Network and produced by Crawford Productions. It was the television successor to Crawfords' radio series D24.
After self-financing the pilot episode, Hector Crawford shopped it around commercial networks for nearly a year, before a series was commissioned in 1964 by Melbourne HSV7 station manager Keith Cairns, although HSV's partner station in Sydney, ATN, initially refused to participate.
Synopsis The series dealt with the fictional homicide squad of the Victoria police force and the various crimes and cases the detectives are called upon to investigate. Many episodes were based directly on real cases, although the characters (including the detectives) were fictional. The program aired from 20 October 1964 to January 1977, a total of 12 years and 6 months), making Homicide the longest-running Australian weekly primetime drama in history, with 510 episodes produced (the last episode is numbered 509, due to the pilot episode being numbered with an 'A' suffix, making a total of 510), for many years it also held the record for most episodes produced in an Australian weekly primetime drama.
When Blue Heelers ended in 2006, the show equalled this record. However, Homicide ran on-air for longer than Blue Heelers, and had a greater cumulative running time due to the production of five feature-length episodes.
Cast and characters Main Cast Actor Role Tenure Character John Fegan Jack Connolly(Inspector) 1964–1969, 204 episodes A gruff but warm-hearted pipe-smoking Irishman who worked his way up through the ranks from constable. Takes long service leave prior to retiring from the force in episode 204, "Chain of Evidence". Terry McDermott Frank Bronson(Detective Sergeant) 1964–1966, 59 episodes A capable and calculating detective, married with children, Bronson can be very tough when necessary, but is generally easy-going with a strong core of humanity and humour. Shot dead by an escaped convict played by the then-unknown Gerard Kennedy in episode 58, "Vendetta". Lex Mitchell Rex Fraser(Detective) – 1964–1965, 28 episodes Young, impulsive, and single, Fraser is a ladies man and a milk drinker (instead of alcohol), and only recently assigned to the squad. Transferred to another squad after being promoted to Senior Detective in episode 27, "Fifth Column". Leonard Teale David 'Mac' Mackay(Senior Detective / Detective Sergeant / Detective Senior Sergeant) 1965–1973, 358 episodes Known as 'Mac', Mackay is a tough cop with high ideals about justice. Initially he has a large chip on his shoulder – he had been a Detective Sergeant before, but was demoted to Senior Detective because of a report by Bronson. This initially triggers conflict when Mackay realizes Bronson is to be his superior officer, but he mellows and matures over the years. Promoted to Sergeant after Bronson's death, Mackay is eventually promoted to Inspector and transferred to Ballarat in episode 383, "Assassin". In the final episode, "The Last Task", Mackay returns to help out his old squad in a case. The final scene has the cast looking through a doorway into the lens of the camera – ostensibly farewelling Mac, but actually saying goodbye to the viewer. (Note: Teale was the programme's longest serving cast member, appearing in 358 of the show's 510 episodes.) Leslie Dayman Bill Hudson(Senior Detective) 1966–1968, 104 episodes A crack shot who hates the idea of killing anyone – but is forced to do so on several occasions in order to protect other people's lives – Hudson is a 'new breed' type of detective, well-trained in scientific methods of detection and with a modern approach to everyday living – in contrast to Connolly's solid beat-trained old-school type of detective. He is transferred from Forensic to assist Homicide after Mackay is seriously wounded by a prison escapee, and remains with the squad after Sergeant Bronson is killed on the case – a death he blames himself for. After being forced to fatally shoot another person once too often, Hudson is granted a leave of absence in episode 161, "The Pay Off". Dialogue in a later episode indicates that Hudson had been transferred back to Forensic and was due to return to work shortly. George Mallaby Peter Barnes(Detective / Senior Detective / Detective Sergeant) 1968–1973, 265 episodes Transferred from the Sydney Vice Squad, Barnes is a brash young cop – and a bit of a swinging bachelor – promoted to Detective at an earlier age than usual. He matures over the years, developing into a talented, formidable detective but retaining his good nature and sense of humour. Promoted to Sergeant after Mackay transfers out, Barnes has a nervous breakdown shortly afterwards from the strain of non-stop murder cases in episode 395, "One Too Many". Lionel Long Alberto "Bert" Costello(Senior Detective) 1968–1969, 49 episodes Alberto is a first-generation Australian of Italian descent who, like his predecessor Bill Hudson, has been transferred from Forensic. Unlike Hudson, he prefers more action. Killed in a mine cave-in during a case in episode 210, "A Quiet Town". Alwyn Kurts Colin Fox(Detective Inspector) 1969–1973, 184 episodes Originally from Maldara in country Victoria, a widower who lives with his unmarried daughter, Colin Fox is greatly respected by the other detectives, who realise the gruff detectives bark is worse than his bite – but don't let on. Shrewd with a dry sense of humour, Fox has a deep and mature respect for the role he fills. Shot dead by a sniper in episode 383, "Assassin". Norman Yemm Jim Patterson(Senior Detective) 1969–1972, 123 episodes A tough-as-nails cop with a direct methodology and a devoted family man, Patterson had previously boarded with Inspector Fox when posted to Maldara. He has an identical twin brother, Eddie (played by Norman Yemm's real-life twin Gordon), who inadvertently causes havoc in the squad in a case of mistaken identity in episode 249, "The Superintendent". The episode (an out-and-out comedy) includes a legendary dream sequence in which three of the detectives are racing down an alleyway, guns blazing – but trouserless. Quits the force after becoming too emotionally involved in a case in which he nearly kills the murderer of a small boy in episode 333, "Grains of Sand". Michael Preston Bob Delaney(Senior Detective / Detective Sergeant) 1972–1973, 42 episodes A Londoner who had been a constable in the British police force before coming to Australia, Delaney is a 'snappy' modern dresser who pushes his clothes and hair length to the regulation limit. Replacing Jim Patterson, Delaney is killed by a letter-bomb in episode 375, "We'll Both Remember Angie"; the episode ends with a police funeral with full honours, specially filmed for the series. Gary Day Phillip Redford(Senior Detective) 1973–1977, 134 episodes A Vietnam veteran who has strong ideas about violence, Phil Redford is also studying law part-time at university. He is Bob Delaney's replacement, he remains to the end of the series. Charles Tingwell Reg Lawson(Inspector) 1973–1977, 126 episodes Recalled to Melbourne from Scotland Yard (after serving with the United Nations peace-keeping forces in Cyprus) to take over the squad after the murder of Inspector Colin Fox. Remains to the end of the series. John Stanton Pat Kelly(Senior Detective) 1973–1974, 49 episodes A tough, no-nonsense detective brought in after Peter Barnes is promoted to Sergeant. Crippled in a car crash when pursuing a criminal in episode 432, "The Fellas Send Their Regards".Don Barker Harry White(Detective Sergeant) 1973–1977, 114 episodes A family man, good-natured joker and incessant talker, but with a tough edge that increasingly comes to the fore. He replaces Peter Barnes after his breakdown, and remains to the end of the series. Dennis Grosvenor Mike Deegan(Senior Detective) 1974–1977, 77 episodes A motorcycle-riding, martial-arts expert transferred to the Homicide squad from Ballarat, where he had worked under Inspector Mackay, as Pat Kelly's replacement. Remains to the end of the series.
Characters' ranks (except for Detective Inspector) changed in accordance with real-life changes in the Victoria Police Force. For example, Detective Sergeant Mackay becomes Detective Senior Sergeant to reflect his role as the squad's number-two when this rank was introduced. Barnes becomes a Senior Detective after the rank of Detective was abolished.
Scripts
Homicide scripts explored a number of major social issues, such as: pack rape (episode 21, "The Violators") sex work (episode 23, "The Brand") loneliness, suicide and mercy killing (episode 31, "An Act of Love") the occult (episode 34, "Witch Hunt") police shooting of criminals (episode 76, "The Snipers") road safety (episode 123, "No Licence To Kill") drugs (episode 128, "Freakout") the plight of pensioners (episode 208, "Everybody Knows Charlie") pollution (episode 314, "Fighting Fred") use of firearms (episode 405, "Time And Tide") 'poofter bashing' (episode 411, "A Crime Against Nature") youth gangs (episode 434, "The Graduation of Tony Walker") child abuse (episode 463, "The Life And Times of Tina Kennedy") the dangers of hitch-hiking (episode 478, "Wipe Out")
Many early episodes were introduced by chief of detectives John Fegan speaking directly to camera, to highlight their significance and, presumably, to indicate they may not be suitable for younger viewers.
Stories were frequently based on real murder cases, including:
Episode 37, "Colour of Hate", based on the real-life murder of a young police constable. The victim's family later wrote a very appreciative letter to Crawfords in which they described the episode as 'a fine tribute to our son's courage and devotion to duty'. The letter was later read out by Leonard Teale in the 1970 behind-the-scenes documentary The Homicide Story, who noted that it held a special place in the production team's files. Episode 39, "A Lonely Place", based on the case of serial killer Arnold Sodeman, who strangled four girls between 1930 and 1935 when affected by alcohol. While Sodeman was hanged after a long legal battle, the episode doesn't indicate what happens to his fictional equivalent. Episode 180, "Dead or Alive", based on real-life New Zealand mass killer Stanley Graham, who murdered seven people (four policemen and three civilians) in October 1941. Unlike the real case, where Graham was eventually shot dead by police, the fictional killer is captured alive, and the episode ends with detectives wondering if he will be sentenced to death or found insane. Episode 211, "I, Mick O'Byrne", was based on the recent case of Ronald Ryan, the last man hanged in Australia
Broadcast sheet The first episode aired on 20 October 1964. The debut episode ("The Stunt") was not the first to be produced, with the pilot ("One Man Crime Wave") airing as episode 24A just prior to the departure of Lex Mitchell.
Regular daytime repeat screenings began in the early 1970s running until the early 1980s, as strip programming. Additionally, seven episodes were screened as specials, or part of specials:
ep. 376 – "Initiation", as part of the HSV-7 nostalgia program "Those Were The Days" episodes 379 ("The Last Way Out"), 385 ("The Friendly Fellow"), 394 ("Patterns & Stripes Don't Mix"), 410 ("Bill"), and 463 ("The Life & Times of Tina Kennedy") as part of the program's 30th anniversary celebration in 1994 ep. 383 – Assassin, shown in November 2005 as part of HSV-7's 50th year celebrations.
In the 1960s, the series was picked up, on a regional basis, by some of the ITV companies in the UK. Not all regions screened the show, which was scheduled in a late-night slot (usually 10:30pm or later), but among those that did were Westward TV, Yorkshire TV, Channel TV, Border TV and Southern Television.