Drama series Catwalk was set around the daily lives of the staff of a woman’s magazine and spun out of an episode of ABC drama Dynasty. Episode 2 of Dynasty had in point of fact been titled Catwalk and series creator Tony Morphett was convinced the concept had series potential. ABC wanted a second season of Dynasty but passed on Catwalk, Morphett found himself at Channel 7 where Catwalk was one of five pilots commissioned as part of a bid to change direction at 7 with an increase in local drama content.
The public were invited to vote on their favourite pilots (besides Catwalk these were a sitcom about a funeral parlour called The Undertakers; a strange comedy called View From Beyond about heavens waiting room; A suspense thriller called Kill and Cure and a flat sharing sitcom called The Group). The most popular of these were Catwalk and The Group both of which went to series production.
Interestingly English actor John Foregham who had the lead role was over in Australia with a tour of Shakespearian plays and Glyn Davies (who had also worked heavily in English TV in the 1960’s) thought he would be perfect for the role.
Initially only seven episodes were commissioned but on the strength of the first two episodes Seven asked for 13 in total.
production details
Australia / Channel 7 (ATN7) – Morphett – Davies / 14×30 minute episodes / 1972
Creator: Tony Morphett / Producer/Director: David Cahill
cast
John Foregham as Saxon Wells
John Wood as Ricky Novak
Cornelia Frances as Cornelia Heyson
Cecily Polson as Jenkins
June Salter as Paula Healy
THE EPISODES
1. PILOT
2. THE SECOND TIME AROUND
3. THE SMALL SEA OF YOUR HAND
4. THE ANGEL LOOK
5. MR SAXON WELLS… HOBBYIST
6. MODEL INTERNATIONALE
7. SISTER JENKINS WILL CARRY THE BANNER
8. DEAR DESPERATE
9. THERE IS NO BUSINESS LIKE BUSINESS
10. TRY ANYTHING TWICE
11. PITCHED BATTLE
12. THEY LOVED ME TONIGHT, DIDN’T THEY?
13. THE BRAMBLEBUSH TECHNIQUE
14. A LIFE IN THE DAY OF…
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