Number 96 is an Australian primetime soap opera that aired on 0-10 Network (the forerunner of what is now Network Ten) and was produced by Cash Harmon Television and created by David Sale, who also served as a scriptwriter, primarily alongside Johnny Whyte broadcast from 13 March 1972 to 11 August 1977, originally in the primetime slot of 8:30 pm for 5 x half-hour episodes every weeknight, then later 2 x one hour episodes screened per week.
The series follows the lives of the residents and visitors of a fictional four story inner Sydney block of flats located at 96 Lindsay Street, Paddington (hence the title "96")
Although the series gained a huge following in Australia, because of its risque and controversial content and subject matter for its time, it never attained the worldwide global success or cult following as later show Prisoner that was known as Prisoner: Cell Block H in the UK and USA.
The show was originally broadcast in black and white monochrome until halfway through its run; starting in March 1975, it was seen in colour, after networks in Australia switched over to colour television broadcasting.
History and background Number 96 was notable for breaking new ground and introducing controversial and taboo subject matter to Australian television, at the time not seen anywhere in the world, including the United Kingdom or United States.
The launch of the series was heavily promoted in media with full-page newspaper advertisements in a daily countdown to the launch lamponing "Tonight, Australian television loses its virginity". A launch party was also held with cast and crew with media personnel in attendance.Giles, Nigel "NUMBER 96: Australian TV's Most Notorious Address", published by Melbourne Books, 2007
The show was produced by Cash Harmon Television and was conceived by David Sale, a British novelist and former EP of The Mavis Bramston Show, who also was a screenwriter on the series. The series was originally commissioned by the then flagging 0-10 network which was in "a make or break situation" to boost ratings that were lagging behind the well-established rivals Nine Network and Seven Network, to make a soap opera with similar elements to the British series Coronation Street, "but a little racier".
The show was a daring last-bid attempt from a network struggling on the verge of bankruptcy, and its immediate success (and advertising revenue) helped the network become more competitive by buying successful new international shows such as The Waltons and M*A*S*H. By 1974, the network was number one in the ratings for the first time in its history.
Number 96 became one of the most popular Australian drama television series of all time, but due to its racy subject matter, it was not picked up by many international markets. It was the first soap opera to screen in prime time five nights a week, and later became the first Australian TV series to inspire a brief US remake.
Number 96 became infamous for its groundbreaking depictions of controversial and taboo subjects of the time, exploring issues such as homosexuality, abortion, rape, interracial romance, drug usage, pregnancy in later life, and transgenderism, but also included an array of comedy characters with their own catchphrases, in a nod to vaudeville.
The highest rated episode was the one in which it was revealed that Lucy Sutcliffe's (portrayed by Elisabeth Kirkby) lump in her breast was benign.
Multicultural milestones British cast and characters Number 96 was based during an era of mass immigration to Australia, primarily from the UK and Europe, and as befitting its inner-city location, presented a much more multicultural view of suburbia.
Popular British-born actors included future Neighbours star Tom Oliver as Jack Sellers and original cast member and the series' sex symbol Abigail as Bev Houghton.
One of the most popular original characters was played by English comedy performer Johnny Lockwood, who played bumbling Hungarian Jewish deli owner Aldo Godulfus. Lockwood was most known as a variety entertainer, and although Aldo was conceived as a comedy character, it was Lockwood's first major dramatic role in a soap opera.
British actors portraying British characters included originals Elisabeth Kirkby and James Elliot, who played Lucy and Alf Sutcliffe, who hailed from Lancashire. Series writer David Sale stated he based the characters on his own parents from England, and even named Lucy after his own mum, but whereas his own parents had emigrated to Australia and loved the country, he depicted Alf as the archetypal whinging pom who longed to go back to his native England.
Actor Joe James was another English-born actor who joined as Dr. Gordon Vansard, who worked at the chemist with his sister, later revealed to be his wife Sonia (played by Lynn Rainbow
Carol Raye played Don Finlayson's aunt, Amanda von Papenburg, who was a British Baroness who resided in Germany and arrived to visit Don on several occasions.
In later years and having previously played Les Whittaker, Scottish-born Gordon McDougall returned to the series playing the role of Les's Scottish aristocrat brother, Lord Andrew McCraddenow. Les's wife was played by English-born Sheila Kennelly, however, she played the barmaid Norma as an Australian, evidenced by her famous "G'day Ducky" catchphrase.
European and other cast
Fashion designer Vera Collins hailed from South Africa; coincidentally enough, her portrayer, Elaine Lee, was also born in South Africa.
Bettina Welch was born in New Zealand and Arinanthe Galani was also born in New Zealand of Greek descent, but played fiery Italian Maria Panucci. Her Italian nephew who worked in the deli was portrayed by Harry Michaels, also of Greek Descent.
Australian actress Philippa Baker played Russian-born deli assistant Roma Lubinski, who was soon to be Aldo's wife.
Shorter-term characters included German-born Josephine Knur as waitress Lorelei Wilkinson and Karen Petersen as Italian jewel thief Christine Vettare.
African American characters included dancer Ronne Arnold as Chad Farrell and comedienne Chelsea Brown as Hope Jackson,.
Aboriginal hairdresser Rhonda Jackson was played by Justine Saunders, and there was an Indian medic, Dr. Bannerjee.
LGBTQ milestones and TV world firsts Number 96 was the first television program anywhere in the world to feature a full diverse range of LGBTQ characters as regulars, and show a same-sex kiss between two men. Many historians and scholars are unaware of this, because the show's controversial content meant it was unable to be screened outside of Australia.
There had been LGBTQ characters in other TV programs before but these were primarily one-off guest characters or fleeting mentions. Often, these characters would be portrayed as being weak and effeminate, and be victims or criminals
Actor Joe Hasham appeared for the entire duration of the series as lawyer Don Finlayson. Hence, Number 96 was the first series to depict a gay character in a regular role and the first to be portrayed as a sympathetic character and in a positive light. Hasham's Finlayson gained a cult following and been acknowledged as doing much for gay-lib. Don was depicted as being dependable, sincere and kind, yet he was not effeminate and came across as straight acting, though he had no hang-ups about being gay. Don would have several gay relationships in the series (and a few one-night stands) and never had relationships with women.
Don's first lover in early episodes was bisexual photographer Bruce Taylor (portrayed by Paul Weingott). Taylor was TV's first bisexual character, whilst with Don he would have an affair with ruthless businesswoman Maggie Cameron. After Bruce fled, Don formed a more long-term and enduring relationship with hilariously camp bisexual chef Dudley "Dud" Butterfield. Don and Dudley remained living together for two years and only separated when Dudley decided to become a ladies man, in sequences made primarily for comedic effect.
In the early episodes, Don and Bruce were not allowed any physical contact with each other, as directed by a nervous network. As the years rolled on, Don and Dudley were allowed to occasionally touch other, and seen getting into bed with each other.
Towards the end of the series, Don passionately kissed his partner Rob (portrayed by John McTernan), making it the first male gay kiss on a TV drama anywhere in the world. Just before the series ended, Don was seen in bed with Joshua (portrayed by Shane Porteous). Both were naked and Don was smoking a cigarette, clearly after sex.
According to the publication The Great Clowns of American Television, comedian Ernie Kovacs was the first person to portray a gay character Percy Dovetonsils in his self-titled The Ernie Kovacs Show, although the term was not officially established at that time. The first regular gay character in the US occurred several months after Number 96 in 1972. Actor Vincent Schiavelli played Peter Panama in sitcom The Corner Bar, but he was short-lived; however, unlike Number 96′s Joe Hasham, his portrayal did not prove popular with viewers and he only appeared for the first season, with then-president of the New York-based Gay Activists Alliance calling it "the worst stereotype of a gay person I've ever seen".
Number 96 would also feature numerous firsts, however usually featuring shorter term cast in varying story-arcs, for example notable theatre star Toni Lamond, played Karen Winters, who was TV's first ever lesbian character. She was shown fondling and kissing the virginal Bev (played by series regular Abigail) whilst she was sleeping under the effect of sleeping pills. Karen was later revealed to be a devil worshipper who wanted to sacrifice Bev to the devil during a Black Mass, a story-arc that was heavily censored.
A second lesbian character, Marie Crowther (played by Hazel Phillips), left the series after ogling Vera Collins in the shower and being told her affections would not be returned.
The series also featured TV's first ever transgender character, and remarkably she was played by a transgender actress, cabaret performer Carlotta. Robyn Ross was romanced by Arnold Feather (Jeff Kevin), a comic character whose early romances always ended in disaster. Although the relationship did not last, she was never dehumanised or poked fun at.
Broadcasting and production Bill Harmon and Don Cash had previously worked in New York at NBC, and became a partnership after arriving in Australia and producing adventure series The Rovers and a couple of unsuccessful films.
Production of Number 96 started in October 1971. It was produced and recorded on videotape in monochrome for the first three years, and switched to colour production in late 1974. Many of the early black-and-white episodes no longer exist.
Producer Don Cash used one of the world's first computers to figure out how the series could construct such a large output.
The premise, original story outlines, and original characters were devised by series creator David Sale, who had also written for the TV comedy satire series The Mavis Bramston Show. Sale also wrote the scripts for the first episodes of Number 96 and continued as a script writer and storyliner for much of the show's run.
A building at 83 Moncur Street, Woollahra, was used for exterior establishing shots of the block of flats. The majority of the recording was done on sets at the studios of Channel Ten based then in North Ryde, Sydney.
Directors included Peter Benardos and Brian Phillis. Regular writers included David Sale, Johnny Whyte, who was the series' final script editor, Susan Swinford, Dick Barry, Michael Laurence and Lynn Foster.