The Lawsons

The Lawsons was an Australian radio serial created and written by Gwen Meredith that ran daily from 1944 to 1949. It was a forerunner to the better known Blue Hills.[2][3]

The Lawsons
GenreSerial drama
Running timeplayed twice daily
Country of originAustralia
Language(s)English
SyndicatesABC
Written byGwen Meredith
Original releaseFebruary 21, 1944 (1944-02-21) –
February 25, 1949 (1949-02-25)
No. of episodes1,299[1]

The show began as a propaganda series to introduce modern farming methods.[4] Merredith researched it at a station near Gunnedah.[5]

The serial was hugely popular immediately and ran for five years.[6]

Meredith adapted the series into a play and a novel.[7]

Premise

The adventures of the Lawson family who live on a farm.[8]

Stage Play

Meredith wrote a stage play version of the radio serial. It toured New South Wales regional areas in 1950 with a cast including Ed Devereaux.[9] The play was presented by J.C. Williamson's Ltd.[10]

Cast of 1950 Tour
  • Pamela Bygrave as Sue
  • George Simpson Lyttle as mr Lawson
  • Jean Blue as Mrs. Lawson
  • Billee Lockwood as Hilda
  • Dorothea Dunstan as Emmy
  • Edward Devereaux as Ted Lawson
  • Peter Morris as Brian
  • Mary Bartholomew as Jean Lawson
  • Pat Penny as Max Ralston
  • Edmund Allison as Joe
  • Ben Lewin as Archie.

References
  1. "End In Sight For "Lawsons"". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 650. New South Wales, Australia. 11 January 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. "BLUE HILLS, NEW GWEN MEREDITH SERIAL TO FOLLOW THE LAWSONS", ABC weekly, Sydney, 15 January 1949, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
  3. "LAWSONS RECORDS", ABC weekly, Sydney, 15 January 1949, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
  4. ""Lawsons" Author Never Listens To Serials". The Sunday Herald (Sydney). No. 2. New South Wales, Australia. 30 January 1949. p. 6. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Farm and Home Hour", ABC weekly, Sydney: ABC, 19 February 1944, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
  6. "The Lawsons are real people to listeners", ABC weekly, Sydney, 25 November 1944, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
  7. "GWEN MEREDITH IS WRITING LAWSONS NOVEL", ABC weekly, Sydney: ABC, 8 June 1946, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
  8. "MEET THE LAWSONS Down the farm!", ABC weekly, Sydney, 8 September 1945, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
  9. ""The Lawsons" for Wagga". Daily Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 10 February 1950. p. 2. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "The Lawsons Has World Premiere As Stage Play", ABC weekly, Sydney, 28 January 1950, retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Trove
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