Adventure Unlimited

''Adventure Unlimited'' is a 1965 Australian anthology TV series. It was produced by Lee Robinson and associate produced by Joy Cavill. The directors included Ken Hannam. It was made by Waratah Film Productions a short lived company that came out of an unsuccessful attempt to gain a third commercial television licence.

It has been described as "surprisingly obscure" considering the talent involved.

Broadcast history

The series was made in 1963, but was not shown in Sydney until 1965, airing on Channel Ten on Friday nights at 7.30. An episode appears to have aired on Thursday, 30 September 1965.

It was not seen in Melbourne until 1968, where it started 15 September. It sold to Canadian television and screened there in 1965.

Episodes

Ten episodes were completed, three episodes were abandoned mid-production and a further 13 episodes were planned.

Production

Lee Robinson had extensive experience making documentaries and films in New Guinea and the outback.

Five episodes were shot in New Guinea – "The Rivals", " Uncontrolled Territory", "The Rescue", " The Witness", and " Silver Backed Brushes". Tom Oliver called the result of "Silver Backed Brushes" "awful" and "terrible".

Gwen Plumb wrote in her memoirs that "Crocodile" was shot in 1961 in East Arnhem Land, from Darwin. Plumb wrote "we were told it was a rich man's safari camp where brave sportsmen from all over the world, and particularly America, shot crocodiles, water buffaloes, kangaroos - anything that moved. So Sophie tewartand I packed a couple of cocktail frocks. It was the biggest dump you could ever imagine." Plumb says conditions were unsanitary, water buffalo would wanted through the camp at will", and the camp 'was run by a looney called Alan Stewart who wore a pistol in his belt.'" A crocodile was brought in from the aquarium in Darwin and Plumb says it passed out in the heat. She enjoyed filming at a lagoon, and a plane that flew in beer every night. "One night it didn't and we mutinied till they send another," wrote Plumb.

The National Film and Sound Archive holds a copy of " The Buffalo Hunters", though it is listed there as episode 6.

Reception

The episode titled " Adventure Unlimited" was reviewed in the ''Sydney Morning Herald'' by Kylie Tennant who said "besides being dull it was slow".

References

External links

''Adventure Unlimited''
at Milesago
''Adventure Unlimited''
at National Film and Sound Archive

{{Ken Hannam

1965 Australian television series debuts
Australian anthology television series
1965 Australian television series endings