Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

All titles produced by Southern Star Entertainment

17 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year

1970s

Black Beauty television program – 1978

Poignantly told from the horse’s point of view, this 1978 animated film from the classic novel tells of the heartbreaking consequences of unrestricted exploitation of animals.

1990s

Police Rescue – By the Book television program – 1990

Police Rescue was an immensely popular series during the 1990s, starting as a telemovie then spawning a weekly series for five years and even a feature film.

Police Rescue – Mates television program – 1990

The writing is strong, leaving us with a sense of the great camaraderie that allows these police officers to continue to do their job in difficult circumstances.

Blue Heelers – A Woman’s Place television program – 1993

This first episode of Blue Heelers combines police drama with soap elements and introduces us to the show’s key country locations and the central 'family’ of contrasting characters.

The Sum of Us feature film – 1994

The Sum of Us presents three generations of characters, all of whom seek the same thing – a meaningful and long-lasting partnership in love.

Water Rats – Dead in the Water television program – 1996

This feature-length pilot packs in more action, location shoots and story strands than a standard episode of Water Rats.

Murder Call – Black Friday television program – 1997

Murder Call’s take on the crime genre combines a slick look and feel with offbeat story-lines that hark back to the clue-puzzle tradition of fictional sleuths.

Water Rats – Goes With the Territory television program – 1999

This episode marks the introduction of Steve Bisley’s character to the long-running crime drama. Of note is the economy with which this major change in cast is addressed.

2000s

The Secret Life of Us – Now or Never television program – 2001

This final episode of the first season makes reference to the desirable 'trifecta’ of partner, job and home first raised in episode one but adds an unspoken fourth element – friendship.

Tracey McBean - Episode 6, Series One, Multiplication television program – 2001

In this story, Tracey McBean is at her creative best, building a people-multiplying machine in her backyard caravan. Of course it doesn’t go to plan.

Don’t Blame the Koalas - Episode 1, Fate Steps In television program – 2002

Gregory has placed magnets in his shoes and hat so that he won’t fall into outer space when he gets to Australia.

Snobs – Episode 8 television program – 2003

This is a typical example of a Snobs self-contained episode as Abby and Marian and the oh-so-clever dog, Snobs, get mixed up in yet another escapade.

Foreign Exchange - Episode 2, Shark Attack television program – 2004

In the middle of the night, Hannah comes though a portal from Ireland and arrives in Brett’s bedroom in Perth at 7 am.

Love My Way – What’s in a Name television program – 2004

The understatement accompanying several key dramatic scenes stands out; they are treated with a wry humour that doesn’t lose sight of the emotion involved for the characters.

The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill – A Windy Day television program – 2005

Bottle Top Bill and his best friend Corky must travel by flying machine to retrieve their washing, which has blown away in the wind.

Blue Water High – Winners and Losers television program – 2005

Blue Water High successfully combines the dramatic school-based Heartbreak High with the beach setting of Home and Away.

Raggs - Episode 32 television program – 2005

Raggs is a bright, bouncy series with lots of colour, music and movement to appeal to its target preschooler audience.