Mother and Son
Encyclopedia
Mother and Son is a Logie Award
-winning Australian television
sitcom produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
from 16 January 1984 until 21 March 1994. The show stars Ruth Cracknell
, Garry McDonald
, Henri Szeps
and Judy Morris
. It was created and written by Geoffrey Atherden
.
with an often sharp-edged humour which carried with it a tinge of sadness. Despite its unlikely subject matter for a comedy, the show was a favourite with audiences. Maggie's and Arthur's relationship was presented with a fascinating complexity - Maggie's cruel attacks on and emotional manipulation of Arthur disguised her deep dependence on and need of him, and Arthur's dutiful love of Maggie was constantly in conflict with his guilty frustration at the huge limitations for his own life which looking after his mother entailed. The performance of Cracknell, a famous stage actress, as Maggie was particularly lauded as one of the finest characterisations on Australian television.
veteran Leo, mother of Robert and Arthur, sister to Lorna and grandmother to Damien and Teonie. Maggie (Cracknell) is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and her younger son Arthur lives with and takes care of her. However, despite being increasingly forgetful, Maggie is lucid enough to manipulate Arthur when she wants to, usually for something devilish that will seriously inconvenience him. Maggie was a nurse and met Leo while treating him for war wounds. Her former profession was to take a bargain.
and journalist
for a newspaper. When he is not working, he is usually at home attending to the demands of his impish and increasingly confused mother. He drives a 1955 Morris Minor Series II Tourer convertible that is constantly breaking down, has trouble bringing dates back to the house because of his mother's deliberate interference, and is almost always thwarted by Maggie whenever he attempts to socialize with his work friends. Maggie frequently excoriates Arthur, labelling all his would-be girlfriends as "floozies".
. When Arthur asked him for a loan to buy a new car, all Robert would offer him was a seriously impaired Volvo at a discount.
Aunty Lorna: Sister of Maggie. Appears in only 3 episodes. She is married to Stan and has 3 children - Colin, Dawn and Murray. Lorna is the "younger and prettier" sister, much to Maggie's chagrin. Stan, Colin, Dawn and Murray do not appear in the show. In the second episode in which she appears it is revealed that Stan has died.
Damien Beare: Grandson of Maggie, son of Robert and Liz, nephew to Arthur and brother of Teonie. Appears only in one episode but mentioned constantly in the series. Damien is somewhat selfish and always asking for chips. He also plays rugby league and the piano.
Teonie Beare: Granddaughter of Maggie, daughter of Robert and Liz, niece to Arthur and sister of Damien. Appears only in one episode but is mentioned constantly. Teonie tries to act nice while comparing herself to her brother. She also plays the piano.
Wilma Garnett: Hired friend of Maggie, appears only in one episode. Maggie first believes that she is Arthur's "fiancé" much to Wilma's amusement. Her catchphrase is "beaut". Has a fight with Maggie but she reconciles without knowing that they fought. Arthur and Robert were surprised that they reconciled after expecting Maggie to attack her.
Recurring
Logie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
-winning Australian television
Australian television
Television in Australia began experimentally as early as 1929 in Melbourne with stations 3DB and 3UZ using the Radiovision system by Gilbert Miles and Donal McDonald, and later from other locations, such as Brisbane in 1934....
sitcom produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
from 16 January 1984 until 21 March 1994. The show stars Ruth Cracknell
Ruth Cracknell
Ruth Cracknell AM was an Australian theatre and television character actress who appeared in many comedy roles. She was known variously as "Crackers", "Dame Crackers" and "Dame Ruth" throughout a career spanning 56 years....
, Garry McDonald
Garry McDonald
Garry George McDonald, AO is an Australian stage and screen actor.-Early life and career:McDonald was born in Sydney and was educated at Cranbrook School and National Institute of Dramatic Art....
, Henri Szeps
Henri Szeps
Henri Szeps OAM is an Australian actor best known for his role as Robert Beare in the ABC situation comedy series Mother and Son.-Early life:...
and Judy Morris
Judy Morris
Judy Morris is an Australian actress, film director and screenwriter, well known for the variety of roles she played in 54 different television shows and films, but most recently for co-writing a musical epic about the life of penguins in Antarctica which became Happy Feet, Australia's largest...
. It was created and written by Geoffrey Atherden
Geoffrey Atherden
Geoffrey John Atherden, AM, is an Australian television writer, best known for the sitcom Mother and Son. He also wrote the sitcom Grass Roots and the mockumentary BabaKiueria, and contributed to The Aunty Jack Show....
.
Premise
The plot of the show addresses the problems of ageing and caring for somebody with Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
with an often sharp-edged humour which carried with it a tinge of sadness. Despite its unlikely subject matter for a comedy, the show was a favourite with audiences. Maggie's and Arthur's relationship was presented with a fascinating complexity - Maggie's cruel attacks on and emotional manipulation of Arthur disguised her deep dependence on and need of him, and Arthur's dutiful love of Maggie was constantly in conflict with his guilty frustration at the huge limitations for his own life which looking after his mother entailed. The performance of Cracknell, a famous stage actress, as Maggie was particularly lauded as one of the finest characterisations on Australian television.
Margeret Maylapsly "Maggie" Beare [née Lapsy]
Widow of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veteran Leo, mother of Robert and Arthur, sister to Lorna and grandmother to Damien and Teonie. Maggie (Cracknell) is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and her younger son Arthur lives with and takes care of her. However, despite being increasingly forgetful, Maggie is lucid enough to manipulate Arthur when she wants to, usually for something devilish that will seriously inconvenience him. Maggie was a nurse and met Leo while treating him for war wounds. Her former profession was to take a bargain.
Arthur Beare
Younger son of Maggie and Leo, brother of Robert, uncle to Damien and Teonie and recent ex-husband of Deidre. Arthur (McDonald) is an editorCopy editing
Copy editing is the work that an editor does to improve the formatting, style, and accuracy of text. Unlike general editing, copy editing might not involve changing the substance of the text. Copy refers to written or typewritten text for typesetting, printing, or publication...
and journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
for a newspaper. When he is not working, he is usually at home attending to the demands of his impish and increasingly confused mother. He drives a 1955 Morris Minor Series II Tourer convertible that is constantly breaking down, has trouble bringing dates back to the house because of his mother's deliberate interference, and is almost always thwarted by Maggie whenever he attempts to socialize with his work friends. Maggie frequently excoriates Arthur, labelling all his would-be girlfriends as "floozies".
Robert Beare
Elder son of Maggie and Leo, brother of Arthur, husband to Liz and father of Damien and Teonie. Robert is a successful dentist who likes to take lots of holidays and have extramarital affairs. He does so by disguising his overseas holiday trysts as dental research conferences. His mother tells him off for his womanising and says that it is the reason he failed medical school, much to the disappointment of his late father. He is a 'man of leisure' who is adept at providing excuses as to why it is Arthur and not he that must take the primary care of their elderly mother. Robert loves to play tennis and golf and throughout the show, owns 3 cars; a Jaguar, Volvo and a BMWBMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
. When Arthur asked him for a loan to buy a new car, all Robert would offer him was a seriously impaired Volvo at a discount.
Liz Beare
Wife of Robert, mother to Damien and Teonie. The long-suffering Liz (Morris) is well aware of her husband's affairs but finds it difficult to prove any of them, because of Robert's well honed skill at covering them up. So in the meantime, Liz compensates by spending Robert's money and socialising with her equally rich, bored and unhappy friends. She occasionally seeks consolation from Arthur, using behaviour that could suggest that she is attracted to him. She is frequently, however, just as insensitive and selfish as Robert is and just as eager to put Maggie in a home. Liz has a verbal drawl, and is frequently heard to say "Oh Gawd" or "You're weird Arthur".Other family members
Deidre Beare: Ex-wife of Arthur. Appears in 5 episodes. Deidre seems to want the best for her ex-husband Arthur and dislikes him looking after his mother. They end up getting back together in the final episode.Aunty Lorna: Sister of Maggie. Appears in only 3 episodes. She is married to Stan and has 3 children - Colin, Dawn and Murray. Lorna is the "younger and prettier" sister, much to Maggie's chagrin. Stan, Colin, Dawn and Murray do not appear in the show. In the second episode in which she appears it is revealed that Stan has died.
Damien Beare: Grandson of Maggie, son of Robert and Liz, nephew to Arthur and brother of Teonie. Appears only in one episode but mentioned constantly in the series. Damien is somewhat selfish and always asking for chips. He also plays rugby league and the piano.
Teonie Beare: Granddaughter of Maggie, daughter of Robert and Liz, niece to Arthur and sister of Damien. Appears only in one episode but is mentioned constantly. Teonie tries to act nice while comparing herself to her brother. She also plays the piano.
Wilma Garnett: Hired friend of Maggie, appears only in one episode. Maggie first believes that she is Arthur's "fiancé" much to Wilma's amusement. Her catchphrase is "beaut". Has a fight with Maggie but she reconciles without knowing that they fought. Arthur and Robert were surprised that they reconciled after expecting Maggie to attack her.
Cast
Main- Ruth CracknellRuth CracknellRuth Cracknell AM was an Australian theatre and television character actress who appeared in many comedy roles. She was known variously as "Crackers", "Dame Crackers" and "Dame Ruth" throughout a career spanning 56 years....
as Maggie Beare (42 episodes) - Garry McDonaldGarry McDonaldGarry George McDonald, AO is an Australian stage and screen actor.-Early life and career:McDonald was born in Sydney and was educated at Cranbrook School and National Institute of Dramatic Art....
as Arthur Beare (42 episodes) - Henri SzepsHenri SzepsHenri Szeps OAM is an Australian actor best known for his role as Robert Beare in the ABC situation comedy series Mother and Son.-Early life:...
as Robert Beare (38 episodes) - Judy MorrisJudy MorrisJudy Morris is an Australian actress, film director and screenwriter, well known for the variety of roles she played in 54 different television shows and films, but most recently for co-writing a musical epic about the life of penguins in Antarctica which became Happy Feet, Australia's largest...
as Liz Beare (18 episodes)
Recurring
- Suzanne Roylance as Deidre Beare (5 episodes)
- Melissa JafferMelissa JafferMelissa Jaffer is an Australian actress who has made many appearances in television series, including Kings, Mother and Son, G. P., Brides of Christ, Grass Roots and All Saints...
as Aunty Lorna (3 episodes) - Martin Vaughan as Dr. Holloway (3 episodes)
- Roslyn GentleRoslyn GentleRoslyn Gentle is an Australian actress, best known for her role in the television series Prisoner as librarian/prostitute Laura Gardiner/Brandy Carter – an inmate who suffers from multiple personality disorder – in 1983....
as Wendy (2 episodes) - Warwick MossWarwick MossWarwick Tennant Moss is an Australian actor, television personality and New South Wales Premier's Literary Award winning writer for the stage.-Early life:...
as Fireman (2 episodes) - Ron HaddrickRon HaddrickRonald Norman Haddrick MBE is an Australian theatre, film and voice actor.-Early life:Haddrick was born in Adelaide, Australia, the only son of Olive May and Alexander Norman Haddrick.-Cricket:...
as Claude Price (2 episodes) - Constance Lansberg as Helen (2 episodes)
- Suzette Williams as Constable (2 episodes)
DVD releases
All 6 series have been released in Australia.- Vol. 1 (2 Disc Set) - 10 June 2004
- Vol. 2 (2 Disc Set) - 3 February 2005
- Vol. 3 (2 Disc Set) - 7 July 2005
- Vol. 4 (2 Disc Set) - 6 October 2005
- Vol. 5 - 7 November 2007
- The Complete Series 1-6 (6 Disc Box Set) - 7 November 2007
- Series 1 - 1 April 2010
- Series 2 - 1 April 2010
- Series 3 - 1 April 2010
- Series 4 - 1 April 2010
- Series 5 - 1 April 2010
- Series 6 - 1 April 2010
Sliver Logies
- 1993, 1994: Most Outstanding Actress, Ruth Cracknell.
- 1994: Most Outstanding Actor, Garry McDonald.
Other awards
- 1987: Winner of the Television Drama Award presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
External links
- John O'Grady filmography Australian Screen, Australian Film Archive (2007)