My Brother Jack – Nostalgia Central

1 9 6 5 (Australia)
10 x 30 minute episodes

This beautifully filmed ABN-2 series – set in Melbourne and beginning in 1932 – was based on an award-winning novel by famed war correspondent George Johnston, and adapted for television by the author’s wife, Charmian Clift.

Davey Meredith (Nick Tate) lives with his parents and his carefree, larrikin brother, Jack (Ed Devereaux, pictured at left).

Their father (Chris Christensen) – psychologically ruined by his experiences in the Great War – is a bullying tyrant who has no real understanding of the thinking or outlook of his sons, nor any sympathy with the tolerances of his wife (Marion Johns).

He believes he is always right and recognises no opinion other than his own.

Davey works as a lithographic apprentice in the same factory (Klebendorf’s) as Jack, but he wants to be a writer. He also attends art classes.

He sells an article to the Morning Post (for the grand sum of £5) and buys an old typewriter.

Spirited brother Jack – handy with his fists and something of a “skirt chaser”, yet earthy, warm and endearing – gets in a fight at the factory with a coworker named Dud Rosevear (Richard Meikle) and loses his job.

Taking a job in a local pub, Jack begins a courtship with the barmaid Sheila Delaney (June Thody), and eventually marries her – although his dad refuses to go to the church because Sheila is a “mick” (Roman Catholic), so Mum and Davey are the only wedding guests.

Davey’s hedonistic art student friend Sam Burlington (David Copping) is accused of the murder of his girlfriend, Jess (Tessa Mallos), but maintains he didn’t do it and is ultimately found to be innocent.

Davey eventually goes to work for the Morning Post and begins a relationship with a young left-wing woman named Helen (Rosalind Seagrave).

As the Depression begins to take its toll, Jack leaves Australia to seek work in South America while Sheila stays in Melbourne and cares for their young baby. He returns, jobless and penniless.

The socially pushy Helen is determined that Davey will be successful both socially and professionally. Davey becomes a successful journalist, and the couple marry and are established in high society – but Davey is uncomfortable with it.

When World War II breaks out, Jack enlists, and Davey visits him in camp before he ships out.

As the series draws to a close, the final word comes from Jack (via Davey): “Nobody ever wins anything really. The most you can do is to score a bit”.

Jack Meredith
Ed Devereaux
Davey Meredith
Nick Tate
Dad Meredith
Chris Christensen
Mum Meredith
Marion Johns
Sheila Delaney/Meredith
June Thody
Helen
Rosalind Seagrave
Gavin Turley
John Gregg
Stubby
John Armstrong
Vern
Stewart Ginn
Sam Burlington
David Copping
Joe Denton
Tom Farley
Jessica Wray
Tessa Mallos
Dud Rosevear
Richard Meikle
Sandra Solomons
Jeanie Drynan
Wally Solomons
Stuart Finch
Mr Philand
Ted Hopkins

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