Carson's Law
1 9 8 3 - 1 9 8 4 (Australia)
184 x 60 minute episodes
A legal historical series produced by Crawford Productions in
Australia. After the outstanding critical and popular success of The
Sullivans on the Nine network, the Ten network - owned by
Rupert Murdoch who was willing to spend big to put his network
ahead in ratings - set about snaring suitable vehicles for ex-Sullivans
stars Lorraine Bayly and Paul Cronin.
It was rumoured that Cronin was being groomed for a chat show
while Carson's Law was designed to accommodate Bayly. The
series was devised by Terry Stapleton who likened the show to a
blend of Upstairs Downstairs and Dynasty.
Set in Melbourne in the 1920s, the series highlights the
interactions of two branches of the Carson family. The wealthy,
powerful branch is headed by the father Geoffrey, A lawyer. His
son was also a lawyer before he died leaving a widow (representing
the other branch of the family) to bring up three children.
Jennifer, the daughter in law, is also a lawyer so that she and
Geoffrey sometimes meet in court, often representing different
sides in the same case.
After the death of his first wife, Geoffrey has married a much
younger woman, Amy. Still living at home are youngest son, Robert,
and daughter Amy. The latter in particular is frustrated by the inhibitions
placed on her freedom by her father.
There is also another married brother and sister, and various
figures below stairs including a motherly Irish housekeeper in
Jennifer's house and a more reptilian manservant in Geoffrey's
house.
The episodes were self-contained as far as the guest story was
concerned and continuing as far as the regular characters were
concerned.
Carson's Law, despite the historical setting, was a kind
of quality soapie. Altogether the series was something of an
inversion of The Sullivans, Geoffrey and Jennifer were the
two strongest characters in the drama (indeed most of the male
characters were very wimpy) and the domestic drama centred on
their relationships, both with each other and with other members
of their households.
As father and lawyer Geoffrey is the patriarch, custodian of
the law and his function in many ways is to uphold traditional
values.
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