Finders Keepers (Australian TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | 28 October 1991 |
| Founder | Scott Hicks (director) |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Children's television series |
Finders Keepers, alternatively titled The Finder, is a children's television series from Australia, directed by Scott Hicks, which debuted on 28 October 1991. The show is adapted from a novel by Emily Rodda and centers on Patrick, a young boy who receives an invitation through a store in a shopping arcade to participate in a TV game show named "Finders Keepers." Upon accepting, he is transported into a parallel world where he must decipher clues and track down hidden treasures in a multidimensional quest.
Broadcast on ABC TV, the series consists of two seasons with five episodes each, covering the entire storyline of the original book.
Principal cast
- Jeremy Schwerdt portraying Patrick
- Grant Piro as Max
- Paul Tresnan in the role of Lucky
- Sam Prest as The Time Keeper
- Joey Kennedy playing Estelle
- Kate Smith as Claire
- Caroline Winnall portraying Carol
- Jacki Kerin as Boopie
- Penny Maegraith in the role of Mum
- Patrick Frost as Dad
Supporting cast
- Tony Mack as McCready
- Geoff Revell playing Parsons
- John Crouch as Ross
- Annese in the role of Glide
- Jethro Heysen-Hicks portraying Danny
- Hannah Birdsey as Wendy Melini
- Judy Dick playing Eleanor Doon
- Celine O'Leary as Anna Varga
- Graham Duckett portraying Clyde O'Brien
- Scott Withers as Ted
- Scott Ellery in the role of Bad Guard
- Dorinda Hafner as Ruby
Additional cast
- Michael Habib as Taxi Driver
- Allan Lyne portraying TV Shop Man
- Oriana Panozzo as Gift Shop Owner
- Dylan Wells playing Boy on the Bus 1
- Karen Lawrence as Margret
- Richard Mulhullen as Boy on the Bus 2
- Gary George portraying Computer Shop Owner
- !Matthew Randell as Stage Hand
The Invitation
Episode 1.1
Patrick, an avid computer enthusiast, receives an enigmatic invitation to compete in the million-dollar game Finders Keepers. Despite skepticism from others—since the show supposedly airs on a non-existent Channel 8 in his city—Patrick is compelled to take part. Navigating various challenges, he passes through a temporal barrier via a television set and embarks on the Finders Keepers adventure.
The Search
Episode 1.2
Charged with locating a missing item within his own dimension, Patrick relies solely on a clue and a beeper brooch that signals when he is near the target. His journey takes him through locations such as the zoo and shopping mall, with the brooch alerting him at a gift shop. After several twists, Patrick crosses back through the time barrier carrying his discovery.
The Barrier
Episode 1.3
Patrick consents to continue participating in Finders Keepers but becomes trapped beyond the barrier when technical issues arise. Wendy introduces him to the time barrier concept, explaining how objects pass through it and detailing TBE effects. Upon returning to the television station, additional system malfunctions cause Patrick to worry about being stranded indefinitely.
The Visitor
Episode 1.4
After being sent back home, Patrick finds that Eleanor Doon's clue leads to Estelle's ring. Faced with choosing between taking the ring or winning a computer prize, he learns more about Estelle before crossing over for his third time.
The Return
Episode 1.5
Estelle reconnects with Boopie while Patrick returns the discovered item to Eleanor Doon, claiming his computer reward. A significant system failure then arises; Max succeeds in sending Patrick home without the computer. Patrick says goodbye to his new companions and subsequently receives an unexpected "gift."
The Clock
Episode 2.1
Patrick receives an urgent alert from Max via his computer and proceeds to the TV store to pass through the time barrier, leaving his cousin Carol behind at the clock. Carol finds a peculiar ball but soon observes Patrick’s passage through the barrier and decides to follow him. Once trapped in a hostile realm, Carol is caught as Max prepares to send Patrick back to locate the clockmaker—before agents suddenly burst in and detain Max.
The Ball
Episode 2.2
Arriving at the shopping centre, Patrick discovers that time has elapsed and the clock is missing. He encounters Claire, who has been searching for Carol. Realizing Carol crossed over after him, they hurry to contact Max, who is now under interrogation and barred from his computer room by agents. Carol confronts agents attempting to confiscate her magical ball, which burns one of their hands. With Claire’s assistance, Patrick finds the clock stored in a warehouse while Carol faces off against senior agent Parsons.
The Clock Maker
Episode 2.3
Carol evades capture by agents and approaches the time barrier, triggering a severe disruption in the time stream. Patrick and Claire uncover a poem on the clock that directs them to Anna Varga, the clockmaker, who is currently hospitalized. Patrick locates Anna and urges her to reach the clock immediately. Meanwhile, the time stream causes damage to a TV station wall. As night falls, Parsons tries to use a mend gun on Carol to force her into the barrier.
The Regulator
Episode 2.4
Senior agent McCready intervenes, halting Parsons and rescuing Carol. Max devises a device to influence Lucky and regain access to his restricted room. Anna conducts a temporary fix on the clock’s crystal mechanism; however, its regulator remains missing. Max contacts Patrick and discovers Anna’s connection with the clock. McCready suspects Max’s involvement with Carol and her enigmatic ball and seeks his arrest. Estelle confronts Carol at the barrier but Parsons interrupts, prompting Carol to flee into it. The episode concludes with Patrick entering after her.
The Time Keeper
Episode 2.5
Patrick finds Carol but loses their transport device; both become trapped inside the barrier. Isolated, Max reveals information about the timekeeper clock and its missing regulator to McCready. Claire supports Anna in relocating the clock back to the shopping centre. McCready, doubting his earlier suspicions about Max, attempts to rescue Patrick and Carol but is blocked by Estelle. With Anna’s help, Max arrives to move them safely out of danger. The regulator is restored, stabilizing the clock’s function. Claire ensures Patrick and Carol return home before their parents arrive.
Filming locations
Principal shopping centre scenes were shot at Northpark Shopping Centre in Prospect, Adelaide, South Australia—now extensively refurbished—and at Sefton Plaza opposite it, which remains mostly unchanged; both locations are portrayed as one setting in the series. Additional filming took place at Botanic Park near Adelaide Zoo and at Dry Creek salt pans located north of Adelaide.