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THE GODFATHERS
EPISODE DETAILS

THE GODFATHERS THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR FEATURE ARTICLE THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR EPISODE DETAILS HOME INTERVIEWS CHRONOLOGICAL OVERVIEW F.A.Q. LINKS EXPLANATION OF EPISODE GUIDE TERMS	EPISODES: 72. LENGTH: 30 mins. FORMAT: Mono, film and video integration. PRODUCTION: 1971 - 1972 Bruning, Bell & Partners; later Gemini Productions. RUNNING ORDER: Official. NETWORK: Nine. CAST: Chris Johnson.......ROBERT BRUNING Gary Peterson.......ERIC OLDFIELD Maria Varga.......ANNA VOLSKA Peter Fairhall.......MICHAEL LAURENCE (Eps 1 - 26, then guest appearances) Dave Milson.......HAROLD HOPKINS (Eps 27 - 72) Elizabeth Dent.......tina grenville Mike Varga.......ASHLEY GRENVILLE Support: Mrs. Parsons.......EVE WYNNE Mrs. Frenchman.......QUEENIE ASHTON CREW: Scripts.......MICHAEL LAURENCE Producer.......ROBERT BRUNING Devised by.......MICHAEL LAURENCE & ROBERT BRUNING Theme song written and performed by.......MICHAEL CAULFIELD AWARD: 1972 Logie: Best Comedy series. 1. The Beginning Synopsis: Maria Varga, crippled mother of Mike Varga, decides to take in boarders to help make ends meet, but Mike is opposed to the idea. He resents the new boarders until they throw a surprise birthday party for him. He then adopts them as his ‘godfathers’. Airdate: Melbourne 10/5/71 Sydney 14/5/71 Brisbane 20/7/71 Orange NSW 17/8/71 Canberra 24/9/71 Toowoomba QLD 30/11/71 Maryborough QLD 23/12/71 Rockhampton QLD 4/1/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 18/2/72 Lismore NSW 18/2/72 2. The Wooing Of Elizabeth Molly.......Phillipa Baker Waiter.......Tony Thurbon Mrs. Parsons.......Eve Wynne Mrs. Frenchman.......Queenie Ashton Director.......Bill Hughes Executive Producer.......Jeff Ashby Synopsis: Peter draws the short straw to take Elizabeth Dent from the Juvenile Care Department to dinner, in order to win her approval for the Godfathers and the Varga household situation. However, the evening does not go as well as planned. Airdate: Melbourne 17/5/71 Sydney 21/5/71 Brisbane 27/7/71 Orange NSW 24/8/71 Canberra 1/10/71 Maryborough QLD 30/12/71 3. In The Dog House Mrs. Parsons.......Eve Wynne Synopsis: Mike takes a dog from a nearby park, and when the police arrive looking for it he runs away from home. Mrs. Parsons confesses to having reported the incident, and when Mike returns he finds a surprise waiting for him – a new puppy, whom he names Person. Airdate: Melbourne 24/5/71 Sydney 28/5/71 Brisbane 3/8/71 Orange NSW 31/8/71 Canberra 8/10/71 Toowoomba QLD 14/12/71 Maryborough QLD 6/1/72 Rockhampton QLD 18/1/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 3/3/72 Lismore NSW 3/3/72 4. Chris's Health Kick Synopsis: Chris decides he is at the 'dangerous age', and goes on a health kick which causes chaos in the household. Airdate: Melbourne 31/5/71 Sydney 4/6/71 Tamworth NSW 13/7/71 Brisbane 10/8/71 Wollongong NSW 27/8/71 Canberra 15/10/71 Toowoomba QLD 21/12/71 Maryborough QLD 13/1/72 Rockhampton QLD 25/1/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 10/3/72 Lismore NSW 10/3/72 5. Where There's Smoke Mrs. Parsons.......Eve Wynne Mrs. Frenchman.......Queenie Ashton Director.......Bill Hughes Executive Producer.......Jeff Ashby Synopsis: When Mike is caught smoking, Chris and Pete feel they should set him an example and both attempt to give up smoking themselves. Airdate: Melbourne 14/6/71 Sydney 18/6/71 Tamworth NSW 27/7/71 Newcastle NSW 6/8/71 Brisbane 17/8/71 Orange NSW 14/9/71 Canberra 22/10/71 Toowoomba QLD 28/12/71 Maryborough QLD 20/1/72 Rockhampton QLD 1/2/72 6. That Lady Synopsis: Chris becomes infatuated with Charlene Dawkins - a 'lady of dubious character' - and Mike turns into a monster child when he brings her home. Airdate: Melbourne 21/6/71 Sydney 11/6/71 Tamworth NSW 20/7/71 Brisbane 24/8/71 Wollongong NSW 3/9/71 Adelaide 7/9/71 Orange NSW 21/9/71 Canberra 29/10/71 Toowoomba QLD 4/1/72 Maryborough QLD 27/1/72 Rockhampton QLD 8/2/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 24/3/72 Lismore NSW 24/3/72 7. Quarantine Days Dr. John Evans.......Noel Trevarthen Mrs. Parsons.......Eve Wynne Synopsis: Mike catches chicken pox and gives them to Chris. Maria's doctor, Dr. John Evans, comes to treat the two patients and begins to show a great interest in Maria. Airdate: Sydney 25/6/71 Melbourne 28/6/71 Tamworth NSW 3/8/71 Newcastle NSW 13/8/71 Brisbane 31/8/71 Shepparton VIC 7/9/71 Wollongong NSW 17/9/71 Orange NSW 28/9/71 Canberra 5/11/71 Toowoomba QLD 11/1/72 Maryborough QLD 3/2/72 Rockhampton QLD 15/2/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 31/3/72 Lismore NSW 31/3/72 8. The Proposal Dr. John Evans.......Noel Trevarthen Synopsis: Dr. John Evans proposes to Maria and wants to take her and Mike to America to live. The other members of the household are helpless to prevent it until Mike hits on an idea. Airdate: Sydney 2/7/71 Melbourne 5/7/71 Tamworth NSW 10/8/71 Newcastle NSW 20/8/71 Brisbane 7/9/71 Wollongong NSW 24/9/71 Orange NSW 5/10/71 Canberra 12/11/71 Toowoomba QLD 18/1/72 Maryborough QLD 9/2/72 Rockhampton QLD 22/2/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 7/4/72 Lismore NSW 7/4/72 9. The Burglar And Mike Jamieson.......Gordon Chater Synopsis: Mike is left alone in the house and meets Mr. Jamieson, a very inept burglar. A friendship springs up between them, and Peter launches the muddle-headed burglar on a new career. Notes: The part of Jamieson was specially written for Gordon Chater. Airdate: Sydney 9/7/71 Melbourne 19/7/71 Tamworth NSW 17/8/71 Newcastle NSW 27/8/71 Brisbane 14/9/71 Wollongong NSW 1/10/71 Orange NSW 12/10/71 Canberra 26/11/71 Toowoomba QLD 25/1/72 Maryborough QLD 16/2/72 Rockhampton QLD 29/2/72 10. The Witch Synopsis: Gary becomes involved and enamoured with Venus O'Reilly, a young 'witch'. Chris, Peter and Elizabeth worry about Gary, and follow them to a discotheque disguised as hippies. Airdate: Melbourne 12/7/71 Sydney 16/7/71 Tamworth NSW 24/8/71 Newcastle NSW 3/9/71 Brisbane 21/9/71 Wollongong NSW 8/10/71 Orange NSW 19/10/71 Canberra 3/12/71 Toowoomba QLD 1/2/72 Maryborough QLD 23/2/72 Rockhampton QLD 7/3/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 21/4/72 Lismore NSW 21/4/72 11. The Old Wolves And The Young Wolf Synopsis: Elizabeth persuades Mike to join the Wolf Cubs, thereby involving the entire household in a series of mishaps. Airdate: Sydney 23/7/71 Melbourne 26/7/71 Tamworth NSW 31/8/71 Brisbane 28/9/71 Wollongong NSW 15/10/71 Adelaide 19/10/71 Orange NSW 26/10/71 Canberra 10/12/71 Mildura VIC 20/1/72 Toowoomba QLD 8/2/72 Maryborough QLD 1/3/72 12. Please God, Send Me A Bike Dusty Rhodes.......Peter Whitford Synopsis: To get the money for the bike he has his eye on, Mike decides to do a TV commercial for Nutty Fruits, and puts himself in the hands of Dusty Rhodes, an eccentric director. Airdate: Sydney 30/7/71 Melbourne 2/8/71 Newcastle NSW 17/9/71 Wollongong NSW 22/10/71 Orange NSW 2/11/71 Canberra 17/12/71 Toowoomba QLD 15/2/72 Maryborough QLD 8/3/72 Lismore NSW 5/5/72 13. The Clown's Face Miss Lovelace.......Colleen Clifford Director.......Bill Hughes Synopsis: Mike wins a children's art competition and is proclaimed a genius by the competition organiser, Miss Lovelace, but Mike has to confess that he did not win the competition honestly. Airdate: Sydney 6/8/71 Melbourne 9/8/71 Tamworth NSW 14/9/71 Orange NSW 9/11/71 Canberra 24/12/71 Toowoomba QLD 22/2/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 12/5/72 Lismore NSW 12/5/72 14. The Dentist 'Painless' Plunkett.......Ron Haddrick Mrs. Parsons.......Eve Wynne Director.......Bill Hughes Synopsis: Peter and Chris suddenly find themselves the unwilling patients of a happy dentist, 'Painless' Plunkett, when they undertake to accompany Mike after he has complained of a toothache. Airdate: Sydney 3/9/71 Tamworth NSW 12/10/71 Newcastle NSW 22/10/71 Adelaide 9/11/71 Orange NSW 16/11/71 Canberra 31/12/71 Toowoomba QLD 29/2/72 Traralgon VIC 11/3/72 Maryborough QLD 23/3/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 19/5/72 Lismore NSW 19/5/72 15. So Who's Going To Be The Father? Synopsis: Mr. Papadopoulous, the local butcher, challenges Peter to an exhibition boxing match when Peter decides to accompany Mike to the school Fathers Day picnic. Airdate: Melbourne 16/8/71 Sydney 20/8/71 Tamworth NSW 28/9/71 Newcastle NSW 8/10/71 Brisbane 2/11/71 Orange NSW 23/11/71 Canberra 7/1/72 Toowoomba QLD 7/3/72 16. The Paper Boys Synopsis: Mike catches a 24-hour virus from his friend Kevin, and the Godfathers volunteer to take over his paper round. Airdate: Sydney 13/8/71 Tamworth NSW 21/9/71 Brisbane 9/11/71 Orange NSW 30/11/71 Canberra 14/1/72 Maryborough QLD 6/4/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 2/6/72 Lismore NSW 2/6/72 Ballarat VIC 16/7/72 17. The Dark Is Not Light Enough Director.......Bill Hughes Synopsis: Mike develops a fear of the dark, and the Godfathers contrive various ways to effect a cure. Meanwhile Elizabeth and Maria visit a Greek club. Airdate: Melbourne 20/9/71 Brisbane 16/11/71 Wollongong NSW 26/11/71 Orange NSW 7/12/71 Canberra 21/1/72 Toowoomba QLD 21/3/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 9/6/72 Lismore NSW 9/6/72 18. Some Enchanted Evening 'Office wolf'.......Walter Sullivan Russian lady.......Doris Goddard Synopsis: Peter and Elizabeth both suffer from the attentions of unwelcome visitors. Elizabeth is landed with the office wolf while Peter, alone at home, is confronted with an amorous Russian of Amazonian proportions. Airdate: Sydney 17/9/71 Melbourne 27/9/71 Brisbane 23/11/71 Wollongong NSW 3/12/71 Adelaide 7/12/71 Orange NSW 14/12/71 Canberra 28/1/72 Mildura VIC 9/3/72 Maryborough QLD 20/4/72	EPISODE TITLES 1. The Beginning 2. The Wooing Of Elizabeth 3. In The Dog House 4. Chris's Health Kick 5. Where There’s Smoke 6. That Lady 7. Quarantine Days 8. The Proposal 9. The Burglar And Mike 10. The Witch 11. The Old Wolves And The Young Wolf 12. Please God, Send Me A Bike 13. The Clown's Face 14. The Dentist 15. So Who's Going To Be The Father? 16. The Paper Boys 17. The Dark Is Not Light Enough 18. Some Enchanted Evening 19. Waltzing Matilda 20. The Star 21. Love Makes The World Go Round 22. Me And My Shadow 23. The Two Faces Of Madame Zelda 24. The Golden Horse 25. The Engagement 26. I Do, I Don't Final Michael Laurence 27. The Newcomer First Harold Hopkins 28. The Joker 29. Uncle Frank 30. The Lonely Hearts Club 31. African Safari 32. Maria Strikes Back 33. The Kidnapping Of Person 34. Symphony For Three 35. The Waif 36. The Old Puppeteer 37. Full House 38. Pop Goes Mike 39. Snakes Alive 40. Art For Lark's Sake 41. All At Sea 42. The Bully 43. There's A Tortoise In My Bath 44. The Sporting Life 45. The Veteran 46. A Ghost Called Alf 47. The Model Muddle 48. The Lift 49. Dave's Debut Or Call Me Fred 50. The Bindi Patch 51. The Muse 52. Too Many Cakes 53. The Heirloom 54. The New Addition 55. The Migrant 56. The Decorator 57. L For Learner 58. Mike And The Beanstalk 59. The Enchanted Bone 60. The Case Of The Disappearing Rabbit 61. The Plaster Cast Caper 62. The Longest Night 63. The Big Show 64. The Prize 65. The House On Ferris Street 66. Double Trouble 67. Autumn Time 68. Tender Time 69. Bundle Of Trouble 70. The Plot 71. The Diary Snatcher 72. The Wedding Ashley Grenville
	19. Waltzing Matilda Matilda Mathews.......Jacki Weaver Himself.......Brian Henderson .......Colleen Clifford Synopsis: Matilda Mathews, a daughter of an old friend of Maria's, comes to stay. Mike and the Godfathers convert her from a plain, shy girl and launch her on a career as a pop singer. Notes: Brian Henderson, host of music show Bandstand and TCN-9 newsreader, appears as himself. Airdate: Sydney 27/8/71 Melbourne 13/9/71 Tamworth NSW 5/10/71 Newcastle NSW 15/10/71 Wollongong NSW 10/12/71 Orange NSW 21/12/71 Canberra 4/2/72 20. The Star Dina Jackson.......Noeline Brown Synopsis: Film star Dina Jackson returns home after 20 years, and stays in the Varga household. She intends to make Chris, a childhood sweetheart, her fourth husband. Airdate: Sydney 8/10/71 Melbourne 18/10/71 Tamworth NSW 2/11/71 Wollongong NSW 17/12/71 Orange NSW 28/12/71 Canberra 11/2/72 Toowoomba QLD 4/4/72 Maryborough QLD 4/5/72 21. Love Makes The World Go Round Synopsis: Mike meets his first love, a little girl called Samantha. The Godfathers discover that she has a terminal condition, and, wondering how to break it to Mike gently, they discover that he knew all along. Airdate: Sydney 24/9/71 Melbourne 4/10/71 Tamworth NSW 9/11/71 Brisbane 14/12/71 Wollongong NSW 24/12/71 Orange NSW 4/1/72 Canberra 18/2/72 Maryborough QLD 11/5/72 22. Me And My Shadow Violet Crumphorne.......Beryl Cheers Synopsis: Chris plays The Red Shadow in a local amateur production of 'The Desert Song' opposite Violet Crumphorne, and she develops a crush on him. Airdate: Sydney 22/10/71 Melbourne 1/11/71 Tamworth NSW 16/11/71 Wollongong NSW 31/12/71 Brisbane 11/1/72 Orange NSW 11/1/72 Adelaide 15/2/72 Canberra 25/2/72 Toowoomba QLD 3/6/72	Ep. 19: Brian Henderson and Jacki Weaver
	23. The Two Faces Of Madame Zelda Madame Zelda.......June Salter .......Stuart Wagstaff Synopsis: Peter delves into astrology and meets Madame Zelda. He starts to live by her predictions until she is revealed as a fake and turns out to be not quite what he expected. Airdate: Sydney 15/10/71 Melbourne 25/10/71 Tamworth NSW 23/11/71 Newcastle NSW 3/12/71 Brisbane 4/1/72 Wollongong NSW 7/1/72 Orange NSW 18/1/72 Canberra 3/3/72 Toowoomba QLD 18/4/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 21/7/72 Lismore NSW 21/7/72 24. The Golden Horse Mr. Peterson.......Tom Farley Synopsis: Gary's father comes to stay and sees the whole house being turned upside down when Gary dreams of a horse called Gold Bridge, and talks everyone into going to the races. Airdate: Sydney 1/10/71 Melbourne 11/10/71 Tamworth NSW 30/11/71 Newcastle NSW 10/12/71 Brisbane 21/12/71 Wollongong NSW 14/1/72 Orange NSW 25/1/72 Canberra 10/3/72 Maryborough QLD 1/6/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 28/7/72 Lismore NSW 28/7/72 25. The Engagement Helen Fraser.......Fay Kelton Synopsis: Peter spends a lost night, and next morning finds himself engaged to his girlfriend Helen Fraser, after proposing in a mad moment the night before. Try as he might, he cannot bring himself to break the engagement. Airdate: Sydney 29/10/71 Melbourne 8/11/71 Tamworth NSW 7/12/71 Newcastle NSW 17/12/71 Brisbane 25/1/72 Wollongong NSW 21/1/72 Orange NSW 1/2/72 Toowoomba QLD 16/5/72 Maryborough QLD 8/6/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 4/8/72 Lismore NSW 4/8/72	Ep. 23: Stuart Wagstaff and June Salter
	26. I Do, I Don't Helen Fraser.......Fay Kelton .......John Taylor .......Gladys Anderson Synopsis: Peter reduces the house to chaos on his wedding day. Getting him to the altar proves to be a difficult task, as he makes every effort to get out of the wedding right up to the last minute. Notes: Final episode with Michael Laurence as a regular, although he continued to make regular guest appearances as Peter Fairhall. When this script was written a definite decision had not been made on the writing-out of Peter, and an alternative ending was prepared, but not filmed. Airdate: Sydney 5/11/71 Melbourne 15/11/71 Tamworth NSW 14/12/71 Brisbane 1/2/72 Orange NSW 8/2/72 Canberra 31/3/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 11/8/72 Lismore NSW 11/8/72 27. The Newcomer Synopsis: Peter sends Maria a new boarder, Dave Milson, much to her dismay. When he arrives he is met with a lack of enthusiasm from all, and Mike is determined that no-one is going to take Peter's place. Notes: First episode with Harold Hopkins as David Milson. Airdate: Sydney 12/11/71 Melbourne 22/11/71 Tamworth NSW 21/12/71 Brisbane 8/2/72 Orange NSW 15/2/72 Canberra 7/4/72 Maryborough QLD 22/6/72 Toowoomba QLD 24/6/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 18/8/72 Lismore NSW 18/8/72 28. The Joker Synopsis: Mike becomes a practical joker and victimises the entire household. The tables turn when he finds himself in the position of the boy who cried wolf, and he and Dave are marooned on an island. Airdate: Sydney 19/11/71 Melbourne 29/11/71 Tamworth NSW 28/12/71 Brisbane 15/2/72 Orange NSW 22/2/72 Canberra 19/5/72 29. Uncle Frank Uncle Frank.......Alfred Sandor Director.......Bill Hughes Synopsis: Maria becomes deeply upset when a brother-in-law she has not seen for many years arrives from Europe, with the intention of taking Mike away with him for a year to see the world. Airdate: Sydney 3/12/71 Melbourne 6/12/71 Tamworth NSW 4/1/72 Brisbane 22/2/72 Orange NSW 29/2/72 Wollongong NSW 10/3/72 Maryborough QLD 6/7/72 Toowoomba QLD 8/7/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 1/9/72 Lismore NSW 1/9/72 30. The Lonely Hearts Club Peter Fairhall.......Michael Laurence Synopsis: Peter arrives back from his honeymoon and takes up residence at the Varga house again after a row with his wife. In an effort to bring about reconciliation, the members of the household succeed only in having him arrested. Airdate: Sydney 10/12/71 Melbourne 13/12/71 Tamworth NSW 11/1/72 Brisbane 29/2/72 Orange NSW 7/3/72 Canberra 21/4/72 31. African Safari Synopsis: When Mike arrives home from school with a project on African animals, the Godfathers decide a trip to the zoo is the answer. Matters become complicated when Mike discovers Dave has a secret and could be sent to jail. Airdate: Melbourne 3/1/72 Sydney 7/1/72 Maryborough QLD 20/7/72 Toowoomba QLD 22/7/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 15/9/72 Lismore NSW 15/9/72 32. Maria Strikes Back Mrs. Frenchman.......Queenie Ashton Synopsis: Maria feels she is not being appreciated and goes on strike, leaving Mike and the Godfathers to fend for themselves. Chaos reigns until they enlist the aid of Mrs. Frenchman. Airdate: Sydney 31/12/71 Maryborough QLD 27/7/72 Toowoomba QLD 29/7/72 Traralgon VIC 28/1/73 33. The Kidnapping Of Person Synopsis: Maria is broken-hearted when she witnesses the kidnapping of Mike's dog by an old tramp from the front of the house. Fearing the dog may have been poisoned, the Godfathers set out to find him. Airdate: Sydney 17/12/71 Melbourne 20/12/71 Shepparton VIC 9/3/72 Brisbane 21/3/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 29/9/72 Lismore NSW 29/9/72 34. Symphony For Three .......Georgina West Synopsis: A beautiful young musician moves in next door. To compete for her attention, Dave and Gary take up music with a vengeance that shatters the peace of the entire street, as Dave's saxophone and Gary's drums prove too much for everybody. Airdate: Melbourne 10/1/72 Sydney 14/1/72 Maryborough QLD 3/8/72 Toowoomba QLD 12/8/72 35. The Waif .......Robert Gray Synopsis: Elizabeth begs Maria to take in a small orphan boy for a week in the hope that she and the boys can get him to talk again in a relaxed family atmosphere. Before the week is out the child has found his way into all their hearts. Airdate: Melbourne 17/1/72 Sydney 21/1/72 Brisbane 4/4/72 Maryborough QLD 10/8/72 Toowoomba QLD 19/8/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 13/10/72 Lismore NSW 13/10/72 36. The Old Puppeteer Peter Fairhall.......Michael Laurence Synopsis: Mike befriends an old puppeteer whose only friends are his puppets and the children he performs for. The household wonders at Mike's mysterious comings and goings and enlist Peter's aid in finding the answer. Airdate: Sydney 4/2/72 Melbourne 7/2/72 Tamworth NSW 21/2/72 Orange NSW 18/4/72 Canberra 2/6/72 Maryborough QLD 17/8/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 20/10/72 Lismore NSW 20/10/72 37. Full House .......Max Osbiston Synopsis: Chris brings an old Army buddy home to stay who becomes attracted to Elizabeth and proposes marriage to her. As Elizabeth stays in the house as well, Maria finds that having a full house can be an awkward problem. Airdate: Melbourne 21/2/72 Sydney 25/2/72 Maryborough QLD 31/8/72 Toowoomba QLD 2/9/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 27/10/72 Lismore NSW 27/10/72	Ep. 26: Eric Oldfield, Robert Bruning, Michael Laurence, Anna Volska, Ashley Grenville and Fay Kelton.
	38. Pop Goes Mike Himself.......Ronnie Burns Mrs. Parsons.......Eve Wynne Director.......Bill Hughes Producer song performances.......Alister Smart Associate Producer.......David Hannay Synopsis: Gary joins a local pop group as their drummer, but Mike sees him as a star and tells everybody at school that Gary is a personal friend of hit singer Ronnie Burns. Notes: Ronnie Burns appears as himself, and performs his hit song 'Smiley'. Airdate: Melbourne 24/1/72 Sydney 28/1/72 Tamworth NSW 28/2/72 Brisbane 18/4/72 Maryborough QLD 7/9/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 3/11/72 Lismore NSW 3/11/72 39. Snakes Alive Mrs. Parsons.......Eve Wynne Synopsis: Gary's Uncle Ben arrives from the country and gives Mike a six-foot carpet snake called Cecil. Mrs. Parsons is appalled when she sees the ‘swaggie’ move in across the road, and is even more appalled when she learns Cecil has escaped. Airdate: Sydney 11/2/72 Melbourne 14/2/72 Tamworth NSW 6/3/72 Adelaide 9/6/72 Maryborough QLD 14/9/72 Toowoomba 16/9/72 40. Art For Lark's Sake Miss Lark.......Benita Collings Director.......Bill Hughes Synopsis: Gary falls for Mike's art teacher, Miss Lark, and takes up painting. But Miss Lark is also a super athlete, and Gary finds himself competing with her in more ways than he bargained for in an effort to impress her. Airdate: Melbourne 6/3/72 Sydney 10/3/72 Tamworth NSW 26/3/72 Orange NSW 16/5/72 Adelaide 30/6/72 Maryborough QLD 21/9/72 41. All At Sea Synopsis: Mike sees Chris with an attractive woman and is convinced Chris has a romantic interest in her. He tells everyone about it and becomes quite jealous of Chris's attachment, but Chris reveals a big surprise for them all. Airdate: Melbourne 28/2/72 Sydney 3/3/72 Tamworth NSW 30/3/72 Brisbane 9/5/72 Maryborough QLD 28/9/72 Toowoomba QLD 30/9/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 12/1/74 Lismore NSW 12/1/74 42. The Bully 'Butch' Buckley.......Larry Crane Synopsis: Mike is picked on by the local bully, 'Butch' Buckley, and ends up with a pair of black eyes. So Dave decides to teach Mike to defend himself - with rather comical consequences. With the help of the Godfathers the situation is eventually resolved and Mike and Butch become firm friends. Airdate: Tamworth NSW 16/4/72 Brisbane 3/6/72 Albury NSW 16/6/72 Melbourne 12/8/72 Maryborough QLD 12/10/72 Toowoomba QLD 14/10/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 19/1/74 Lismore NSW 19/1/74 43. There's A Tortoise In My Bath Director.......Alister Smart Synopsis: Mike decides that he wants to be a vet when he grows up, so he begins his career early by bringing all the stray and sick animals he finds in the neighbourhood into the house. Airdate: Melbourne 13/3/72 Sydney 17/3/72 Tamworth NSW 2/4/72 Orange NSW 30/5/72 Maryborough QLD 5/10/72 Toowoomba QLD 7/10/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 26/1/74 Lismore NSW 26/1/74 44. The Sporting Life Synopsis: Maria's confidence is shattered when she bravely goes on her first shopping trip in her wheelchair and is involved in a collision. But the accident turns out to be a stroke of good luck and a new friend introduces her to a sports club where she regains her basketball skills. Airdate: Melbourne 27/3/72 Sydney 7/4/72 Maryborough QLD 19/10/72 Toowoomba QLD 21/10/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 2/2/74 Lismore NSW 2/2/74 45. The Veteran Synopsis: Paul Bailey, the son of a neighbour, returns home from service in Vietnam while his parents away on holidays, so Maria and the Godfathers take him into their house as a guest. But they are dismayed to find that he disappears with Gary's motorbike. Airdate: Melbourne 15/4/72 Sydney 21/4/72 Mt Gambier SA 21/9/72 Maryborough QLD 26/10/72 Toowoomba QLD 28/10/72 Port Augusta SA 9/1/74 46. A Ghost Called Alf Synopsis: Maria and the Godfathers find themselves in trouble when they start delving into the unknown with the help of a delightful elderly mystic called Prunella Davis. Airdate: Melbourne 29/4/72 Brisbane 24/6/72 Maryborough QLD 2/11/72 Toowoomba QLD 4/11/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 16/2/74 Lismore NSW 16/2/74	Ep. 38: Ronnie Burns and Ashley Grenville
	47. The Model Muddle Synopsis: Elizabeth almost becomes a top model when the boss of an advertising agency spots her and decides her face is the one they want for a new campaign. Airdate: Tamworth NSW 4/6/72 Brisbane 22/7/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 23/2/74 Lismore NSW 23/2/74 48. The Lift Peter Fairhall.......Michael Laurence Director.......Alister Smart Synopsis: Peter has a small domestic row with his wife and spends the night on the couch at the Varga house. The row is settled in the morning, but trouble starts brewing again when he and Dave vanish for nearly 12 hours. Airdate: Melbourne 20/5/72 Tamworth NSW 28/5/72 Shepparton VIC 15/6/72 Canberra 1/9/72 Maryborough QLD 16/11/72 Toowoomba QLD 18/11/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 2/3/74 Lismore NSW 2/3/74 49. Dave's Debut Or Call Me Fred .......Carlu Carter Synopsis: Dave is in a flutter - he has been asked to act as an escort to a debutante’s ball, and he is not a competent dancer. The household team together to help Dave gain confidence. Airdate: Melbourne 13/5/72 Sydney 26/5/72 Brisbane 8/7/72 Maryborough QLD 23/11/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 9/3/74 50. The Bindi Patch .......John Meillon Jr. .......John Ewart Jr. Synopsis: During a ball game Mike smashes Mrs. Parson's window. As a punishment, it is agreed that Mike should mow her lawn for several weeks - but trouble starts when Mike's friends decide to lend a hand. Airdate: Melbourne 6/5/72 Brisbane 1/7/72 Maryborough QLD 30/11/72 Toowoomba QLD 2/12/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 16/3/74 51. The Muse .......Peter Reynolds Synopsis: Dave faces disappointment when the manuscript for his novel is completely rejected by the publishers. Mike then acts as his agent, with disastrous results. Notes: Listed in some program guides as 'The Muse Is Heard'. Airdate: Sydney 2/6/72 Melbourne 3/6/72 Brisbane 29/7/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 23/3/74 52. Too Many Cakes Peter Fairhall.......Michael Laurence Mrs. Mabel Jubb.......Hilda Scurr ‘Butch’ Buckley.......Larry Crane Director.......Alister Smart Synopsis: Mike's birthday is coming up and it looks like the whole household has forgotten. Airdate: Melbourne 10/6/72 Tamworth NSW 18/6/72 Brisbane 5/8/72 Maryborough QLD 14/12/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 30/3/74 53. The Heirloom .......Gerry Duggan Synopsis: Maria has lost her treasured family heirloom - a valuable diamond brooch. Trouble starts brewing when she discovers Mike has taken it to school to show off to his mates. Airdate: Melbourne 17/6/72 Tamworth NSW 25/6/72 Adelaide 22/9/72 Toowoomba QLD 3/12/72 54. The New Addition Synopsis: The Varga household is thrown into delightful chaos when Elizabeth Dent reveals a surprising secret - that she has been married and is now expecting a baby. Airdate: Melbourne 22/7/72 Tamworth NSW 30/7/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 4/5/74 55. The Migrant Mrs. Mabel Jubb.......Hilda Scurr .......Tony Wager Synopsis: A neighbour, Mrs. Jubb, plays cupid with her fortune-hunting nephew and Maria when she mistakenly believes that the Varga family have won the lottery. The Godfathers come to the rescue. Airdate: Melbourne 8/7/72 Tamworth NSW 9/7/72 Adelaide 6/10/72 Port Augusta SA 13/3/74 Coffs Harbour NSW 13/4/74 56. The Decorator Decorator.......Colin Croft Synopsis: Maria decides that the house is in need of redecorating, so she calls in a flamboyant, professional interior decorator who has some unorthodox ideas - including painting the living room black. Airdate: Melbourne 5/8/72 Newcastle NSW 1/9/72 Brisbane 2/9/72 Toowoomba QLD 26/4/74 Coffs Harbour NSW 11/5/74	Robert Bruning
	57. L For Learner Synopsis: Dave decides to get his driving licence and buys a suspiciously broken down, second-hand car. But he hadn't bargained for the reaction of the local driving school instructors. Airdate: Melbourne 29/7/72 Sydney 4/8/72 Brisbane 16/9/72 Toowoomba QLD 3/5/74 Coffs Harbour NSW 18/5/74 58. Mike And The Beanstalk Synopsis: Mike has a series of mysterious dreams - or at least they seem like dreams. Airdate: Melbourne 1/7/72 Sydney 7/7/72 Brisbane 19/8/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 20/4/74 59. The Enchanted Bone Synopsis: Mike makes a new friend - an Aboriginal boy who lives with his grandfather in a cave on a nearby reserve. Trouble starts when Mike delves into tribal customs. Airdate: Sydney 18/8/72 Melbourne 19/8/72 Brisbane 30/9/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 25/5/74 60. The Case Of The Disappearing Rabbit Mrs. Parsons.......Eve Wynne Synopsis: Elizabeth gives Mike a pet rabbit that causes complete chaos in the household. When the rabbit keeps escaping into Mrs. Parsons’ home, she is furious and threatens to make a pot of rabbit stew if it happens again. Airdate: Sydney 25/8/72 Melbourne 26/8/72 Brisbane 6/10/72 Toowoomba QLD 19/4/74 Port Augusta SA 27/4/74 Coffs Harbour NSW 1/6/74 61. The Plaster Cast Caper Synopsis: Dave is landed with a lonely country girl whose energy and enthusiasm for sporty outings leaves him drained. He decides to fake a broken leg in order to avoid her, but is caught out with disastrous results. Airdate: Sydney 1/9/72 Melbourne 2/9/72 Tamworth NSW 2/9/72 Brisbane 14/10/72 Adelaide 9/3/73 Coffs Harbour NSW 8/6/74 62. The Longest Night Synopsis: Elizabeth stays the night and disrupts the household by her craving for goat's milk and lychee nuts. Airdate: Melbourne 16/9/72 Brisbane 28/10/72 63. The Big Show Barbie Jones.......Barbara Wyndon Synopsis: An old friend of the Varga family, Barbie Jones, decides to forsake her career in the Army and try her hand at show-biz, with hilarious results. Airdate: Melbourne 15/7/72 Tamworth NSW 16/7/72 Sydney 21/7/72 Toowoomba QLD 12/4/74 Coffs Harbour NSW 27/4/74 64. The Prize Mrs. Parsons.......Eve Wynne .......Alan Fox .......Christine Liddy Director.......Alister Smart Synopsis: Maria causes confusion in the household when she goes mad entering contests. Airdate: Melbourne 9/9/72 Brisbane 21/10/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 22/6/74 65. The House On Ferris Street .......Jennifer West Synopsis: A mysterious stranger moves into the long deserted house on Ferris Street, and Mike becomes convinced that the new occupant is a ghost. Airdate: Tamworth NSW 16/9/72 Sydney 6/10/72 Melbourne 7/10/72 Brisbane 18/11/72 Port Augusta SA 29/5/74	Eric Oldfield
	66. Double Trouble .......Peter Northcote Director.......Alister Smart Synopsis: Mike unexpectedly comes face to face with his exact double who also lives in the neighbourhood. This leads to confusion and chaos in the Varga household. Notes: This script and the casting of Mike’s double was the result of a national competition to find Ashley Grenville’s double. Peter Northcote was the winner. Airdate: Melbourne 30/9/72 Tamworth NSW 30/9/72 Brisbane 11/11/72 Toowoomba QLD 24/5/74 Port Augusta SA 5/6/74 67. Autumn Time Synopsis: When Chris is attacked in his cab by a youth with a knife, he suddenly becomes discouraged by his inability to defend himself properly. Airdate: Melbourne 23/9/72 Tamworth NSW 7/10/72 Brisbane 4/11/72 Coffs Harbour NSW 13/7/74 68. Tender Time Synopsis: Mike develops a crush on his attractive new school teacher, and as a result becomes super critical of his mother. The Godfathers come to the aid of Maria and steer Mike out of the phase he is going through. Airdate: Melbourne 14/10/72 Brisbane 25/11/72 Adelaide 20/4/73 69. Bundle Of Trouble Peter Fairhall.......Michael Laurence Mrs. Parsons.......Eve Wynne Mrs. Frenchman.......Queenie Ashton Synopsis: Peter is left alone to look after Mike for the night, and during the evening he discovers a baby left on the doorstep. He calls in assistance from neighbours Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Frenchman. Notes: Listed in some program guides as 'Other Stations' and 'Bundle Of Joy'. Airdate: Melbourne 21/10/72 Tamworth NSW 21/10/72 Sydney 27/10/72 Brisbane 2/12/72 Adelaide 27/4/73 70. The Plot Synopsis: Chris asks Maria to marry him, and when there is some indecision on Maria's part he goes to live under the house and will not come out until she accepts his proposal. Airdate: Melbourne 28/10/72 Brisbane 9/12/72 71. The Diary Snatcher Synopsis: Curiosity runs riot when the household discovers Mike is keeping a very secret diary. When the diary disappears suspicion falls on the members of the household. Airdate: Melbourne 4/11/72 Sydney 17/11/72 Brisbane 16/12/72 Adelaide 11/5/73 Coffs Harbour NSW 10/8/74 72. The Wedding Synopsis: Mike relates the amusing events which lead up to the great wedding day between his mother and Chris. Notes: Listed in some program guides as 'And They All Live Happily Ever After'. Airdate: Melbourne 11/11/72 Port Augusta SA 17/5/74 THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR EPISODE DETAILS	Ep. 66: Ashley Grenville, Anna Volska and Peter Northcote, Ashley's 'double'.