Australian TV
I Can Jump Puddles (ABC 1981, Lewis Fitzgerald, Tony Barry)
Wonderfully heart warming and based on the true story of Alan Marshall I Can Jump Puddles tells the varied life of crippled writer Marshall from his humble farm beginnings in Western Victoria, through working in a boot factory in Melbourne onto his mixing with crooks and prostitutes on his way to becoming a writer.
Tracing 20 years in his life from the ages of 11-31 (young Adam Garnett is great as the teenaged Alan and deservedly won a logie for best Juvenile actor), beautifully produced and very evocative Puddles is a classic slice of Aussie drama.
production details
Australia / ABC / 9×60 minute episodes / Broadcast June – July 1981
Writers: Sonia Borg, Roger Simpson, Cliff Green / Books: Alan Marshall / Design: Peter Redman / Music: Kevin Hocking / Producer: John Gauci / Directors: Kevin Dobson, Keith Wilkes, Douglas Sharp
cast
ADAM GARNETT as Alan (Aged 11)
LEWIS FITZGERALD as Adult Alan
TONY BARRY as Alan’s Father
JULIE HAMILTON as Alan’s Mother
ANN HENDERSON as Mary
LESLEY BAKER as Matron
BRUCE KERR as Dr Robertson
BRIAN HANNAN as Alec
OLIVIA BROWN as Prostitute Maisie
CLARE BINNEY as Prostitute Ruby
EARL FRANCIS as George
DEBRA LAWRENCE as Nurse Conrad
DARREN McDONALD as Steve