The Hobby Horse (film)

The Hobby Horse

Company type	Television drama
Industry	Television
Founded	1962
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Live television drama
Parent	Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

The Hobby Horse is a 1962 Australian live television drama broadcast by ABC. The story unfolds on a grazing property located in northern New South Wales and focuses on the life of a rodeo rider. During this period, Australian television drama was uncommon, and this play was included in a collection of six Australian works produced by ABC in 1962, alongside other titles like Boy Round the Corner and Jenny.

Plot

Billy Brocknell accepts employment as a horse breaker on a vast rural estate. He unexpectedly reunites with his former wife, Margaret, who is now married to the elderly owner of the property, marking their first meeting since their marriage was annulled.

Cast

• Wynn Roberts – Billy Brocknell
• Lynn Flanagan – Margaret
• Ken Goodlet
• Douglas Kelly
• Neil Curnow
• Bill Bennett
• Rose Du Clos
• Carole Potter
• Ron Pinnell
• David Mitchell
• Beris Sullivan

Production

Authored by Robert Wales, a Scottish writer who had extensive experience working in Australia and was recently awarded the Coffs Harbour playwriting prize, The Hobby Horse drew inspiration from two professional horsebreakers Wales encountered in Walcha. This connection enriched the play’s realistic depiction of rural existence and rodeo traditions.

Reception

A reviewer from The Bulletin characterized the play as follows:

Drama lacking clear motivation. The horsebreaker arrives at the station and discovers his ex-wife is present. He faces a choice: leave immediately or attempt to win her back. Instead, he remains trapped in hesitation—seeming to desire her yet resisting, intending to depart yet lingering. An hour-long introspection by characters uncertain about their own desires. It might have been aptly titled, with respect to Sidney Kingsley, "They Knew Not What They Wanted”.