Classic TV Guides: Pig In A Poke

(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article features names and images of people who have died)

Gordon Glenwright, Holly Brown

The 1977 ABC series Pig In A Poke took a raw look at life in inner-suburban Sydney. A spin-off from the 1974 TV play of the same name, Pig In A Poke told the story of a Melbourne doctor, Dr Peter Reynolds (played by Paul Mason), who leaves his comfortable medical practice to move to Sydney to buy, sight unseen, a practice in the suburb of Redfern.

Over the five episode series, Pig In A Poke covers some of the grittier tales of life in the volatile suburb as Dr Reynolds’ practice becomes involved in the lives of some of the locals including abused women, Greek migrants, Aboriginals and transgender people.

Starring with Mason in Pig In A Poke is Justine Saunders as the Dr Reynolds’ receptionist, Maureen. Guest roles are played by a mix of professional actors, including Ray Meagher, Neil Fitzpatrick, Philippa Baker, Arianthe Galani, Tessa Mallos, Athol Compton, Holly Brown and Eve Summers, and amateurs.

Tessa Mallos, Philippa Baker

The script, written by husband and wife team John Dingwall and Margaret Kelly, won both Logie and Sammy awards, and actor Fitzpatrick won the Logie for Best Individual Performance by an Actor.

Paul Mason, Justine Saunders

The debut episode of Pig In A Poke is is among the latest additions to Classic TV Guides:

• Saturday 27 November 1965 — TASMANIA
• Thursday 29 July 1971 — ADELAIDE
• Sunday 27 May 1973 — SYDNEY: A Taste For Blue Ribbons
• Sunday 27 May 1973 — CANBERRA: A Taste For Blue Ribbons
• Sunday 24 July 1977 — MELBOURNE: Pig In A Poke
• Saturday 7 May 1983 — VICTORIA: Open Channel
• Monday 21 January 1991 — VICTORIA
• Wednesday 10 June 1998 — MELBOURNE: Opening Ceremony FIFA World Cup 98
• Sunday 15 June 2003 — MELBOURNE: John Farnham The Last Time
• Sunday 13 July 2003 — MELBOURNE: Deal Or No Deal debuts
• Friday 25 March 2005 — MELBOURNE: Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal

Source: TV Week, 16 July 1977. TV Times, 23 July 1977