''Alvin Purple'' was an Australian television situation comedy series, made by the ABC in 1976. The series followed continued adventures of the title character, previously featured in the successful sex comedy feature film ''

Alvin Purple ''Alvin Purple'' is a 1973 Australian sex comedy film starring Graeme Blundell in the title role; the screenplay was written by Alan Hopgood and directed by Tim Burstall, through his production company Hexagon Productions and Village Roadshow ...

'' (1973) and its sequel ''

Alvin Purple Rides Again ''Alvin Rides Again'' is a 1974 Australian sex-comedy film sequel to ''Alvin Purple''. It was directed by David Bilcock and Robin Copping, who were regular collaborators with Tim Burstall.David Stratton, ''The Last New Wave: The Australian Film ...

'' (1974). It debuted on 19 August 1976. Graeme Blundell reprised the role of Alvin in the series. Alvin cohabitated with a new character, flatmate Spike (

Chris Haywood Chris Haywood (born ) is an English-born Australian actor, writer and producer, with close to 500 screen performances to his name. Haywood has also worked as a casting director, art director, sound recordist, camera operator, gaffer, grip, l ...

). As in the films, various women inexplicably lust after Alvin. The women were played by a stream of recognisable Australian actresses in guest-starring roles including

Tina Bursill Tina Bursill (born 24 July 1951) is an Australian actress. She played Louise Carter on the television series '' Skyways'' (1979–1981) and Sonia Stevens on ''Prisoner'' (1983–1984). She played Meryl Knight in the Nine Network drama series ...

Jacki Weaver Jacqueline Ruth Weaver (born 25 May 1947) is an Australian theatre, film and television actress. Weaver emerged in the 1970s as a symbol of the Australian New Wave through her work in Ozploitation films such as '' Stork'' (1971), ''Alvin Purp ...

Belinda Giblin Sue Belinda Giblin (born 2 March 1950) professionally billed as Belinda Giblin, is an Australian actress. Prominent in theatre and television soap operas, and several feature films. Giblin's small screen roles include '' The Box'' as Kay Webst ...

, June Rich, Jane Harders, Pamela Gibbons, Kirrily Nolan, Peta Peita,

Judy Lynne Judy Lynne is an Australian former actress Lynne had roles in numerous TV serials including '' Number 96'', '' Spyforce'', ''Ryan'', '' Boney'' and ''Alvin Purple'' However she was best known for the serial ''The Young Doctors ''The You ...

, Suzanne Church, Carla Hoogeveen,

Chantal Contouri Chantal Contouri (born 1950; sometimes credited as Chantal Cantouri, el, Σαντάλ Κοντούρη) is a Greek Australian television and film actress and former dancer, best known for her role in the 1970s soap opera ''Number 96'', as nurs ...

, Anya Saleky. Dawn Lake and

Leonard Teale Leonard George Thiele AO (26 September 192214 May 1994), professionally Leonard Teale, was a well-known Australian actor of radio, television and film and radio announcer, presenter and narrator known for his resonant baritone voice. He is be ...

also acted in the series.

Production

In late 1974,

Tim Burstall Timothy Burstall AM (20 April 1927 – 19 April 2004) was an English Australian film director, writer and producer, best known for hit Australian movie '' Alvin Purple'' (1973) and its sequel '' Alvin Rides Again''. Burstall's films featured ...

and Hexagon Productions discussed, with ABC, a possible television series based on ''Alvin Purple''. Eventually, ABC made the series in arrangement with Alan Hopgood, who wrote the original screenplay. During negotiations, apparently neither Burstall nor Alan Finney (of Hexagon) made any claim that they retained rights in ''Alvin''. However, after the ABC had produced several episodes, Burstall and Hexagon became aware that property in the Alvin character belonged to them, and they sued the ABC for breach of copyright. In the decision ''Hexagon Pty Ltd and Ors v The Australian Broadcasting Commission''

981 Year 981 ( CMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events Births * Abu'l-Qasim al-Husayn ibn Ali al-Maghribi, Arab statesman (d. 1027) * Giovanni Orseolo, Venetian ...

VR 224, the court held that copyright vested in Hexagon, but they were stopped from enforcing its rights by not seeking to do so, before the ABC commenced its production. It was held that the conduct of Hexagon had been such as to indicate to the ABC that they would not pursue any rights and prohibit the ABC from proceeding.Michael Rickards, "... And copyright", ''Cinema Papers'', March 1983 p48-49

Notes

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Alvin Purple (Tv Series) Australian comedy television series Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming 1976 Australian television series debuts 1976 Australian television series endings