Noel Ferrier
Encyclopedia
Noel Ferrier AM was an Australian television personality, stage and film actor, raconteur and theatrical producer. He had an extensive theatre career which spanned over fifty years.
in 1930. A member of the first Australian professional repertory company, the Union Theatre Repertory Company, he created the role of 'Roo' in the original production of Summer of the Seventeenth Doll
at the Union Theatre of the University of Melbourne
. He appeared in numerous films and television productions. A contemporary of Barry Humphries
, in 1956 he was the "interviewer" of the first onstage appearance of a certain Mrs. Norm Everage, later known universally as Dame Edna Everage
.
To ease the workload on Graham Kennedy
, he was invited by GTV9 to host a Friday night version of In Melbourne Tonight
from 1963 to 1965. This was stylistically different to that of Kennedy's IMT – "dyed-in-the-wool IMT viewers switched off in their droves" – Noel Ferrier's In Melbourne Tonight (as it was known) attracted a separate and loyal audience, resulting in a Logie
for Most Popular Program in Victoria
in 1964. . Following this success, the network decided to relay the show in Sydney
on TCN9, but in the early hours of the following morning after live telecasts of World Championship Wrestling.
After his period on IMT finished in 1965, he started a morning radio show in Melbourne on 3UZ
with Mary Hardy called "The Noel and Mary Show", which contained a riotously funny serial known as "The House on the Hill" featuring Sir & Lady Ernest Snatchbull, "set in a mythical Government House and loosely based on the vice-regal column in The Age
... the real Governor of Victoria of the time was a (reputedly) devoted fan... whereas his wife was said to have abhorred it."
He developed a reputation as a reliable television character actor; appearances occurred in Riptide
(1969), Skippy
(1970), as well as a numerous characters in the Crawfords' stable of productions, including Homicide (1969), Division 4
(1970, 1971 and 1975), and Matlock Police
(1973, 1974 and 1975).
In 1971 he won the award for Best Australian Comedy with Noel Ferrier's Australia A-Z. He was a regular panelist in Graham Kennedy
's popular game show Blankety Blanks
. His movie credits include Alvin Purple
, Eliza Fraser
, Turkey Shoot
and The Year of Living Dangerously. His final movie role was in Paradise Road (1997).
Noel Ferrier died in October 1997 in Sydney
, aged 66.
finalist, a decision he frequently claimed "proved to be... a lifesaver" . Their son, Tim (b. 1962), is a successful Production Designer
.
His autobiography, published in 1985, is called "There goes Whatisname". . In it he discusses his battles with alcoholism
, as well as his numerous career triumphs and failures in a disarmingly frank, self deprecating, matter-of-fact and often hilarious manner. Although he admired stand up comedians, he strongly denied ever having this talent.
Biography
Noel Ferrier was born in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1930. A member of the first Australian professional repertory company, the Union Theatre Repertory Company, he created the role of 'Roo' in the original production of Summer of the Seventeenth Doll
Summer of the Seventeenth Doll
Summer of the Seventeenth Doll is a pioneering Australian play written by Ray Lawler and first performed at the Union Theatre in Melbourne, Australia, on 28 November 1955...
at the Union Theatre of the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
. He appeared in numerous films and television productions. A contemporary of Barry Humphries
Barry Humphries
John Barry Humphries, AO, CBE is an Australian comedian, satirist, dadaist, artist, author and character actor, best known for his on-stage and television alter egos Dame Edna Everage, a Melbourne housewife and "gigastar", and Sir Les Patterson, Australia's foul-mouthed cultural attaché to the...
, in 1956 he was the "interviewer" of the first onstage appearance of a certain Mrs. Norm Everage, later known universally as Dame Edna Everage
Dame Edna Everage
Dame Edna is a character created and played by Australian dadaist performer and comedian, Barry Humphries, famous for her lilac-coloured or "wisteria hue" hair and cat eye glasses or "face furniture," her favorite flower, the gladiola and her boisterous greeting: "Hello Possums!" As Dame Edna,...
.
To ease the workload on Graham Kennedy
Graham Kennedy
Graham Cyril Kennedy, AO was an Australian radio, television and film performer, often called Gra Gra and The King of Australian television.-Childhood:...
, he was invited by GTV9 to host a Friday night version of In Melbourne Tonight
In Melbourne Tonight
In Melbourne Tonight, also known as "IMT", was a highly popular nightly variety television show produced at GTV-9 Melbourne from 6 May 1957 to 1970....
from 1963 to 1965. This was stylistically different to that of Kennedy's IMT – "dyed-in-the-wool IMT viewers switched off in their droves" – Noel Ferrier's In Melbourne Tonight (as it was known) attracted a separate and loyal audience, resulting in a Logie
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...
for Most Popular Program in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
in 1964. . Following this success, the network decided to relay the show in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
on TCN9, but in the early hours of the following morning after live telecasts of World Championship Wrestling.
After his period on IMT finished in 1965, he started a morning radio show in Melbourne on 3UZ
3UZ
3UZ is the official callsign of a medium-wave radio station in Melbourne, Australia which broadcasts under the name Radio Sport National.-History:...
with Mary Hardy called "The Noel and Mary Show", which contained a riotously funny serial known as "The House on the Hill" featuring Sir & Lady Ernest Snatchbull, "set in a mythical Government House and loosely based on the vice-regal column in The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
... the real Governor of Victoria of the time was a (reputedly) devoted fan... whereas his wife was said to have abhorred it."
He developed a reputation as a reliable television character actor; appearances occurred in Riptide
Riptide (Australian TV series)
Riptide is a TV series that is often considered "very Australian", but like The Outsiders, it was mainly an endeavor brought to fruition by a foreign producer and foreign principal actors...
(1969), Skippy
Skippy the Bush Kangaroo
Skippy the Bush Kangaroo is an Australian television series for children created by John McCallum, produced from 1966–1968, telling the adventures of a young boy and his intelligent pet kangaroo, in the Waratah National Park in Duffys Forest, near Sydney, New South Wales.Ninety-one 30-minute...
(1970), as well as a numerous characters in the Crawfords' stable of productions, including Homicide (1969), Division 4
Division 4
Division 4 was an Australian television police drama series made by Crawford Productions for the Nine Network between 1969 and 1975 for 300 episodes....
(1970, 1971 and 1975), and Matlock Police
Matlock Police
Matlock Police was an Australian television police drama series made by Crawford Productions for the 0-10 Network between 1971 and 1975....
(1973, 1974 and 1975).
In 1971 he won the award for Best Australian Comedy with Noel Ferrier's Australia A-Z. He was a regular panelist in Graham Kennedy
Graham Kennedy
Graham Cyril Kennedy, AO was an Australian radio, television and film performer, often called Gra Gra and The King of Australian television.-Childhood:...
's popular game show Blankety Blanks
Blankety Blanks
Blankety Blanks was a popular Australian game show based on the American game show Match Game. It was hosted by Graham Kennedy on Network Ten. It ran from 1977-1978.Regular panelists were Ugly Dave Gray, Noeline Brown, Carol Raye and Stuart Wagstaff...
. His movie credits include Alvin Purple
Alvin Purple
Alvin Purple was a 1973 Australian comedy film starring Graeme Blundell, written by Alan Hopgood and directed by Tim Burstall.It received largely negative reviews from local film critics. Despite this it was a major hit with Australian audiences...
, Eliza Fraser
Eliza Fraser
Eliza Fraser was a Scottish woman whose ship was shipwrecked on the coast of Queensland, Australia, on 22 May 1836, and who was captured by Aborigines. Fraser Island is named after her....
, Turkey Shoot
Turkey Shoot (film)
Turkey Shoot is a 1982 Australian dystopian futurist exploitation film directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith notable for its extreme violence and sadistic prison sequences...
and The Year of Living Dangerously. His final movie role was in Paradise Road (1997).
Noel Ferrier died in October 1997 in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, aged 66.
Personal life
In 1960 he married Suzanne de Berenger, a noted artist and multiple Archibald PrizeArchibald Prize
The Archibald Prize is regarded as the most important portraiture prize in Australia. It was first awarded in 1921 after a bequest from J. F. Archibald, the editor of The Bulletin who died in 1919...
finalist, a decision he frequently claimed "proved to be... a lifesaver" . Their son, Tim (b. 1962), is a successful Production Designer
Production designer
In film and television, a production designer is the person responsible for the overall look of a filmed event such as films, TV programs, music videos or adverts. Production designers have one of the key creative roles in the creation of motion pictures and television. Working directly with the...
.
His autobiography, published in 1985, is called "There goes Whatisname". . In it he discusses his battles with alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
, as well as his numerous career triumphs and failures in a disarmingly frank, self deprecating, matter-of-fact and often hilarious manner. Although he admired stand up comedians, he strongly denied ever having this talent.