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Epilogue |
Page 120
Over the years much has been written about 'Prisoner', and many people in high places in Australia's government and penal reform have had their say, often damning the series. The Oz critics generally got it right ahead of millions of avid viewers in Australia who readily attested to its popularity over a staggering seven years.
It is fitting that the 'real prisoner', Sandra Willson, should have
the final say. She's been there, and done it all. This is what
Sandra wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald of 28 September 1987:
'The final episode of "Prisoner" is being screened tonight on Channel
O-TEN and the last two hours will be shown as one episode. It is
a time of mourning for fans devoted to this show.
'A number of long-term prisoners who had been released from prison, including myself, were interviewed for authentic material, so this is a nostalgic time for me. I can divulge a few secrets: Wentworth Detention Centre, although filmed in Melbourne, was based primarily on Sydney's prison for women, Mulawa, where the cellular living conditions were similar.
'Although the general warning "no resemblance to the living or the dead" is always screened, there were real characters and factual events beneath the cosmetic, artistic and condensed versions being aired. Peta Toppano and later Betty Bobbitt played roles which were based loosely (very loosely) upon myself, while the halfway house run by Judy Bryant (Betty Bobbitt) was based, again loosely, on the halfway house for ex-
<Caption for picture on opposite page> 'The Real Prisoner,' Sandra Willson, the longest-serving woman inmate in Australia's penal history. Served 18 years for the murder of a taxi-driver, and was a series consultant to 'Prisoner'. Some of the main aspects in the characters of inmates Judy Bryant and Karen Travers were based on Willson and her exploits. (Barry McKinnon)
Page 121
<Picture of Sandra Willson>
Page 122
prisoners which I run in Sydney. Certainly my memories of meeting with Betty, Elspeth (Ballantyne) and Val (Lehman), as well as so many others constitute one of the highlights of my freedom.
'If viewers ever thought "Prisoner" was raunchy, just let them think what reality would have been like. The show's popularity stemmed not from the prison angle although that was an ideal setting to confine the characters for so long - but from the humour it would inject into situations which otherwise would never be viewed as funny.
'The fires, the assaults and escapes were applauded because they reflected the underdog's attempts to get square, to fight back. It was ultimately a series about the underdog, ever an Australian hero. Or, in this case, heroine.
" 'Prisoner" had a long and vigorous run, and opened a fresh avenue for presenting a taboo subject - real prisons and real prisoners do not gain much public sympathy.
' "Prisoner" also introduced many new faces and new talents to viewers. Chief among these was Vinegar Tits (Fiona Spence), who never received a Logie Award for her portrayal of the repressed, acidic "bad" screw.
'I would have survived in Wentworth Detention Centre, but I wouldn't
have liked it. I'm opposed to hard drugs, but illicit stills bring back
memories ...
| PRISONER FILE
Name: Nora 'Outback' Flynn Actress: Sonja Tallis |
| 'Outback' Flynn, played by former folk singer Sonja Tallis, has been in jail for 23 years. She appears in Wentworth charged with the murder of three hitchhikers and rapidly makes it to top dog status only to have her career cut short by vicious Reb Keane. |
Page 123
| PRISONER FILE Name: Marilyn Mason Actress: Margaret Laurence |
| Nymphomaniac Marilyn Mason was not
a role cherished by actress Margaret Laurence. In 1980, while she
was in the U. S. looking for new work, she also toured American cities
promot.ing 'Prisoner'. She told reporters that her character in the
show 'was terrible. I never thought it would make it here. Margaret
Laurence is not at all like that dirty little tart Marilyn you see on the
screen.
Her sultry looks also caused comment. 'I'm tired of people remarking on my similarity to Farrah Fawcett and Brigitte Bardot -- boring, how ghastly. I can act and that's the difference.' Colleagues back home were not amused, though Margaret complained she'd been misquoted. Val Lehman got straight to the point. 'I am unhappy that an actress can condemn a series just because she is unhappy with her own character.' And Fiona Spence: ' "Prisoner" is not one-dimensional. All sides of a character are shown and I believe that is why the programme is such a success - - because it's believable. |
'The bashings? Well, anything in a good cause, as they say. The suicides'? Many, horrific. They remain with me today. There is no life within prison walls. It is merely a waiting, a standing still, a marking time. Life resumes only when one is released. Only now am I living, and I will be content to see prison through the eyes of programmes such as "Prisoner". It is better that way.'
Sandra Willson is the co-ordinator of Guthrie House, a half-way house for prisoners, and was in Mulawa Jail between 1959 and 1977. This feature is reprinted by kind permission of Ms Willson and the Sydney Morning Herald.
(The previous sentence is taken direct from the book.
I have not sought permission to reproduce this chapter here or indeed any
of the rest of the book. Copyright remains with the original authors)
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Epilogue |