Power Without Glory (ABC 1976, Martin Vaughan, Rowena Wallace)

Historical drama series Power Without Glory began in 1890’s Melbourne where poor downtrodden John West is determined to make something of his life with the series following him as he gains wealth, power and influence and ending with his death in 1950, taking in both his political and business ambitions as well as his family life as well as the major historical events of the period such as World War One and the beginnings of the Australian Labour Party.

This deservedly popular series also went onto win numerous awards including nine Sammys and four Penguins. Part of the filming of the show was disrupted by union action (the unions didn’t like the way they were being portrayed in the series). The book on which the series was based was allegedly a veiled account of the real life and hard times of businessman John Wren (whose family tried to stop the book). Filmed on location around Melbourne.

The series won 9 Sammy awards and 4 Penguins and at the time was one of Australia’s most ambitious series ever.

production details
Australia / ABC – Paradine / 26×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 21 June – 13 December 1976

Novel: Frank Hardy / Executive Producer: Oscar Whitbread / Music: George Dreyfus / Directors: Doug Sharp, Keith Wilkes, David Zweck / Executive Director: John Backman, Scott McLennan.

cast
MARTIN VAUGHAN as John West
ROSALIND SPIERS as Nellie Moran
HEATHER CANNING as Mrs Moran
IRENE INESCORT as Mrs West
MICHAEL AITKENS as Piggy Lewis
GEORGE MALLABY as Barney Robinson
SEAN SCULLY as Eddie Corrigan
JOHN BOWMAN as Mick O’Connell
TIM CONNOR as Paddy Cummins
DAVID RAVENSWOOD as Devlin
TERRY GILL as Sgt Grieve
LES JAMES as Alec
MARNIE RANDALL as Mrs Tracey
JOHN MURPHY as Father O’Toole
JOHN WOOD as Sugar Renfrey
LEILA HAYES as Florrie Robinson
LEON LISSEK as David Garside
TELFORD JACKSON as Jim Francis
GERARD KENNEDY as Dick Bradley
KERRY DWYER as Dolly West
TERENCE DONOVAN as Frank Lammence
GIL TUCKER as Lou Darby
GRAEME BLUNDELL as Snoopy Tanner
ROWENA WALLACE as Harriet
LOU BROWN as Turner
LISA CRITTENDEN as Marjorie
NORMAN KAYE as Ned Horan
WENDY HUGHES as Mary West
TONY BONNER as Brendon West
DAVID CAMERON as Hugo
WARWICK SIMS as Paul Andreas
GUS MERCURIO as Bill Tinns
CHARLES TINGWELL as Keith Burkett
JOHN NASH as Lygon
CAMILLA ROWNTREE as Benda
FRED CULCULLEN as Watty
BOBBY BRIGHT as Michael Kiely
PETER COX as Tony Grey
MICHAEL DUFFIELD as Dr Bevan