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DouglasDrury

  • Producer
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Douglas Drury was one of a group of producers who lead an expansion of local television drama at a time — the mid 60s — where New Zealanders rarely saw their own stories on screen. Later, as second in command of state television’s drama department, he helped launch landmark series Pukemanu and initiated NZ's first situation comedy, Buck House. Drury passed away in Australia on 5 February 2016.

Screenography

In Memoriam 2016
2016 Subject Short film
Country GP - Episode 22
1984 Story Television
Country GP
1984 - 1985 Script Editor Series
Buck House - Escorts Unlimited Ltd
1974 Producer Television
Buck House
1974 - 1975 Executive Producer Series

Biography

In the first half of the 60s, local drama was all but invisible on New Zealand television — some argue that up until the end of 1965, the total number of locally-written TV dramas was as low as two. Plans to turn things around involved an ambitious scheme led by producer Brian Bell. As this documentary from the time reveals, fellow drama producers Douglas Drury and Chris Thomson were standing just behind him.

“I've been staggered, the public's reaction has been much stronger than we expected ... We've heard stories of groups of people in places like Taumarunui taking flagons around to friends' houses on Pukemanu night, and making it a social occasion. ”

— Douglas Drury on the success of Pukemanu, The Sunday Times, 31 October 1971

Related images

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A shot from one of the earliest location shoots on a New Zealand television drama: actors Barry Hill and Glenis Levestam and location manager Derek Morton at Palliser Bay, while filming teleplay Down by the Cool Sea. The slate Morton is holding reads 5 December 1965. 
Photo supplied by the late Douglas Drury
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Setting up a shot at Palliser Bay in late 1965, during probably the earliest location shoot for a New Zealand television drama: teleplay Down by the Cool Sea. Derek Morton is standing on the left of the camera, with so-called 'Film Director' Romano Pianti (arms obscuring his face) on the other side of the rock. Note actor Barry Hill, lying on the sand at the left of frame.
Photo supplied by the late Douglas Drury
Douglas_Drury_Gallery4.jpg
Actors Barry Hill and Glenis Levestam at Palliser Bay, shooting a scene for 1966 teleplay Down by the Cool Sea. This was likely the first time New Zealand television went on location to shoot drama. Derek Morton is at the right of frame, holding a battery-powered light.
Photo supplied by the late Douglas Drury
Douglas_Drury_Gallery5.jpg
Cast and crew on the 1965 Palliser Bay shoot for teleplay Down by the Cool Sea. Back row, left to right: film director Romano Pianti, actor Barry Hill, overall director/producer Douglas Drury, sound recordist Ian McIntyre, cameraman Cyril Townsend, and scriptwriter Maurice Shadbolt (holding pipe). Front row: actor Sandy Chadwick, production secretary Angela Nicoll, actor Glenis Levestam, and location manager Derek Morton.
Photo supplied by Derek Morton
Gallery-Image-1.jpg
A shot taken during the filming of  early TV production The Tired Man (1967) about a man who refuses to get out of bed. It was part of a series of five teleplays. From left to right: Grant Tilly as Trevor, Jennifer Dakers as The Model, Ray Henwood as George, and producer Douglas Drury. The script was by Peter Bland.
NZBC photograph, courtesy of the late Grant Tilly.
Douglas Drury | NZ On Screen