The South West Roxy Cinema, in partnership with the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA), is celebrating Australian Television’s 61st birthday with TV legend Carol Raye and two rare screenings from the NFSA vaults on Saturday, September 16 from 2pm.
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Television started in Australia on September 16, 1956 and Carol Raye was its first ever female television executive. She came up with the idea for a satirical comedy show called The Mavis Bramston Show, and reluctantly become one of its stars when nobody else could be found to do it.
South West Roxy owner and TV Historian Andrew Mercado is delighted to welcome Carol to his cinema to talk about her incredible TV career.
“The Mavis Bramston Show was a huge hit in the 1960’s and made Carol a household name. She then went on to star in two of the biggest shows of the 1970’s, Number 96 and Graham Kennedy’s Blankety Blanks,” Mr Mercado said.
“All three of these shows were hugely popular, not to mention controversial too.”
The celebration will kick off at The Roxy with a screening of the only surviving episode of “Australia’s swingin’est teenage show” The Go Show.
Originally airing in 1966, and featuring Johnny Young and Denise Drysdale, it has lovingly been restored by the National Film and Sound Archive.
Andrew Mercado will then interview Carol Raye on stage before showing the 1974 movie version of Number 96.
“It is still a very funny movie featuring the most loved characters from the TV series,” Mr Mercado said.
“And for those who have never seen it, the nudity and political incorrectness will astound you!”