My Name's McGooley, What's Yours?
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Founder | Ralph Peterson |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Sitcom |
| Parent | Seven Network (ATN7) |
My Name's McGooley, What's Yours? is an Australian sitcom produced by the Seven Network (ATN7) that aired from 1966 until 1968.
Premise
The storyline revolves around a young married couple, Wally and Rita Stiller (John Meillon and Judi Farr), who reside in Balmain alongside Rita’s father, Dominic McGooley (Gordon Chater). The main ensemble also featured Stewart Ginn, Robert McDarra, and eventually Noeline Brown portraying Wally’s sister.
This comedy was driven by the tensions arising from different generations living together, drawing inspiration from British sitcoms of the 1960s such as Steptoe and Son and Till Death Us Do Part. Although Chater was in his forties during filming, he convincingly played a grumpy older man who enjoyed teasing his son-in-law and secretly fishing in Sydney Harbour.
Production
The majority of episodes were penned by creator and producer Ralph Peterson, with direction by Ron Way. Shot in black-and-white, location scenes were captured by Artransa Park Film Studios. The opening theme was a flute and accordion duet composed by Tommy Tycho.
Spin-offs
Following Chater’s exit in 1968, the remaining cast continued in the spin-off series Rita and Wally. However, since Dominic McGooley was central to the original show’s charm, this new series ended after only a few months.
The original program spanned three seasons totaling 88 episodes. Its final installment depicted the demolition of the McGooley residence as the Stillers moved away. Rita and Wally lasted for one season comprising 23 episodes.
Filming
Recorded on videotape, as was typical for the era, original tapes were often erased and reused. Nevertheless, 16mm film copies of all episodes—created for affiliate stations unable to air it concurrently with the network and for overseas distribution—were donated to the National Film and Sound Archive.
Main
- Gordon Chater as Dominic McGooley
- John Meillon as Wally Stiller
- Judi Farr as Rita Stiller
- Noeline Brown as Rosemary 'Possum' Urkens
- Stewart Ginn as Peregrine Nancarrow
- Robert McDarra as Dong Rogers
Guests
- Ben Gabriel (1 episode)
- Deryck Barnes as Royston (1 episode)
- Edward Howell as Stallybrass (1 episode)
- Eve Wynne as Mrs Clayton (1 episode)
- Frank Taylor as Vile (3 episodes)
- Jane Coghlan as Molly Rogers (7 episodes)
- Jennifer Hagan (2 episodes)
- Ken Goodlet (1 episode)
- Kit Taylor (1 episode)
- Les Foxcroft (1 episode)
- Lou Vernon as Merv Sneddon (1 episode)
- Queenie Ashton as Miss Fitchett (1 episode)
- Redmond Phillips (1 episode)
- Tony Bonner as Party Bloke (1 episode)
Legacy
In the 2005 television special 50 Years 50 Shows, this series was ranked 24th among Australia’s most influential TV programs.
See also
References
External links
- My Name's McGooley, What's Yours? – Iconic Australian Television Series
- Articles with short description
- Australian comedy TV series from the 1960s
- Australian television series that premiered in 1967
- Australian television series that concluded in 1968
- 1960s Australian sitcoms
- Original programming of the Seven Network
- Television productions set in Sydney
- Australian black-and-white television programs
- Works authored by Ralph Peterson (writer)
- Seven Network original programming