Every episode of Solo One now on DVD
Solo One established a loyal following when it was shown by ITV here in the UK so fans will be pleased to know that the entire series has justrecently been released on DVD, meaning that all 13 classic episodes are now available for you to own and enjoy once again.
The complete series of Solo One starring Paul Cronin is now available on DVD
We were first introduced to the heroic motorcycle cop Constable Gary Hogan (Paul Cronin) in Matlock Police and the character instantly became a firm favourite with viewers of all ages due to his clean cut image. At the time policemen who went around on motorcycles had a slightly tarnished image in Australia with a fair percentage of the population viewing them as heavies. Paul’s portrayal of Gary Hogan changed all of that and record numbers of youngsters began applying to the Victoria Police enquiring about joining up.
In the final episodes of Matlock Police we learnt that Gary and his trusty motorcycle were to be transferred to the small town of Emerald where he would take charge of a one-man police station. Solo One continues the story as Gary becomes embroiled in the lives of the residents of Emerald, the locals find him to be sympathetic but capable of roughing it with the best of them. Fortunately our hero has plenty of support from his Aunty Nan (Aileen Britton) who acts as his housekeeper and tends to the police house radio with often hilarious consequences. Meanwhile retired policeman Joe Porter (Keith Eden), who had manned the station previously, is always on hand to offer help and advice which proves invaluable given his intimate knowledge of the local criminal population.
Solo One follows the goings on at a one-man police station in the town of Emerald
Gary has to contend with runaway children who fall into danger in the bush, he comes across an old time ventriloquist who is suspected of stealing a horse which was intended for the knackery, and he tries to help a young lad who falls in with a bad sort and goes on the run after knocking off a stash of car parts. There is a dispute over fishing rights in a billabong which has been turned into a wildlife sanctuary, and Gary has to rescue a geriatric gold miner who decides to blow himself up in his mine to avoid going into an old people’s home.
Elsewhere a dog is accused of killing chooks, time is running out for a missing boy who is bitten by a deadly snake and Gary finds his life on the line when he encounters two old aged pensioners who prove to be a menace on the road with their motorcycle and sidecar. Gary takes to the water in a desperate attempt to rescue a young boy who finds himself in strife when a trip on a pirate raft gets out of control near some roaring rapids, and Aunty Nan suspects that a girl has been rubbed out by her gangster father. The action continues when a diabetic boy needs lifesaving treatment but only his mentally retarded friend knows where he is, Gary will need to use every trick in the book to secure the information he so urgently needs.
Paul Cronin tops the bill as Senior Constable Gary Hogan in Solo One
In another thrilling adventure Gary has to act fast to prevent a catastrophe on the new Puffing Billy Railway line extension from Emerald to Lakeside. Fans of steam trains will lap up the incredible shots of the train and keep your eyes peeled for an uncredited guest appearance by Sir Rupert Hamer who does the honours opening the new line. Sir Rupert had been a Rat of Tobruk during World War II and went on to serve as Premier of Victoria from 1972 until 1981.
Solo One is a heart-warming family series; it won the 1976 Penguin Award for Best Programme for Children and was filmed on location in the real town of Emerald, with the producers taking full advantage of the stunning local scenery.
Lots of familiar faces make guest appearances in this series including Terence Donovan from Division 4; Brian James from Skyways; Terry Gill and Pat Evison from The Flying Doctors; Terry Norris from Cop Shop; Gerry Duggan, Richard Morgan and Vivean Gray from The Sullivans; Normie Rowe from Sons & Daughters; Elspeth Ballantyne and Leslie Baker from Prisoner: Cell Block H; Lionel Long and Alwyn Kurts from Homicide; Kay McFeeter from The Box; James Elliott and Gordon McDougall from Number 96; and Queenie Ashton from Blue Hills.
Left: Aileen Britton starred in Call Oxbridge 2000 and 24-Hour Call for ATV here in the UK; she plays Aunty Nan in Solo One. Right: Keith Eden plays retired copper Joe Porter in Solo One.
As well as Solo One and volumes 1-9 of Matlock Police, Paul Cronin’s fans can see him playing Dave Sullivan in The Sullivans volumes 1-23, and he also appears in Homicide volumes 10 and 11, Division 4 volumes 3 and 4, and The Flying Doctors.
All of these classic Australian television productions and a wealth of others can be ordered exclusively from Eaton Films here in the UK. http://shop.eatonfilms.co.uk/ Those of you who are based in Australasia can obtain your copies from Crawford DVD. https://crawfordsdvd.com.au/ If you are located anywhere else in the world you can email Eaton Films to enquire about shipping details eaton.films@talk21.com
