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Hero image for Close to Home - First Episode

Part one of two from the full length first episode of this series.

Part two of two from the full length first episode of this series.

The credits from this series.

Part one of two from the full length first episode of this series.

Part two of two from the full length first episode of this series.

The credits from this series.

Close to Home - First Episode

Television (Full Length Episode) – 1975

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Peter Bentley

7 Nov 2021 - 11.47pm

Jim Healey was my uncle. I have tried to find an episode of Close to Home just to see him in that show, But have not been able to find an episode.

Michael Dene

11 Sep 2020 - 04.32am

Robin Dene (aka Pete Wallace) moved to Australia after Close to Home finished and was in several movies and TV shows. Evil Angels (aka A Cry in the Dark), Backstage, Ghosts of the Civil Dead. Blue Healers, Prisoner Cell Block H and Flying Doctors, just to name just a few movies and shows he appeared in post Close to Home.

Claire McCormick

8 Mar 2018 - 10.34am

The refrain at the beginning of the song reminds me of Caroline Says by Lou Reed which is an unsettling connection as it's a song about domestic abuse.

21 Nov 2017 - 12.49pm

You've got a good memory Michael!
Katie Brockie who played Caro Hearte told us that she sang "Close to the Bone" - it reached number 17 in the top 20 NZ charts in 1980.
These details are from the National Library catalogue:
Close to the bone / written by Simon O'Connor & Simon Morris ; [performed by] Close To Home ; vocal, Kate Brockie [i.e. Katie Brockie]. Attila the Hun / written by Simon Morris ; [performed by] Close To Home ; vocal, Simon Morris.
Close To Home (Musical group); Simon O'Connor musician; Simon Morris (Musician); Katie Brockie
N.Z. : EMI, p1980

Janine (NZ On Screen)

Michael Williamson

18 Nov 2017 - 06.09am

I was 10 when Close to Home started, I didn't understand most of what was going on .... Spot On was much more my speed. But I did love "the song."

It's been bugging me for years. I got my copy from Guy and Dunsmore Sound Scene in Gisborne. I played it to death.

One of the characters on the show (rebellious daughter) wrote a song about her family and all the neighbours and it became a hit single and embarrassed all concerned. I can't remember its title or who sang it .... but it included Dot Paget in the lyrics.

I still have my Television Gold LP with the Close to Home theme tune and others
In Gizzy, when the wind was right and there weren't any clouds we could also pick up South Pacific Television (TV2).

Any help with the song info would be much appreciated.

Jason

12 May 2017 - 06.20pm

I remember this fondly as my Father worked at Avalon studios during the making of it and as kids we used to draw on the back of old scripts in the weekends. We got to visit the sets a few times as well.

My memory is a bit foggy but was there a baddie called Travis and did he have an eye patch?

Katie Brockie

21 Aug 2015 - 03.17pm

I played Caro Hearte in "Close to Home". I was only 17, and it was an amazing bunch of people to work with. I'm still working in TV, making a children's channel called 'Zoomoo at NHNZ.

Creag MacThòmais

25 Jun 2015 - 09.15am

I loved this show. The acting is very believable and far superior to that on Shortland Street. Great memories - love the 70s fashion!

10 Feb 2015 - 12.52pm

Close To Home - there were 818 episodes -19 deaths-12 marriages-8 births - A Few people whom appeared in the series passed away years ago. Close to home began 12-may-1975 and ended 30-august-1983.
Originally it was not supposed to be set in a real city of wellington it was suppose to be set in a north island town. It started off good but became a bit confused and out of character. There were about 4 opening titles and did you know that One tree hill was seen in the opening and also Christchurch cathedral. - it is all different now - some of the people whom acted in the programme actually appeared on Shortland Street.

11 Jun 2014 - 02.13pm

Hawke's Bay born singer and actress and Close to Home solo mum Trisha Jacobsen will be guest speaker at AV Room ideaschool, 501 Gloucester Street, TARADALE this Friday 13 June come and share lunch and get inspired all welcome

Fiona Cleghorn

12 Apr 2014 - 09.40pm

This is incredible. I played baby Alice (as did my twin sister). Would love to see an episode with us in it.

29 Mar 2014 - 10.28pm

So many memories! What ever happened to Pete Wallace/ Robin Dene. Where is he now/

Paul Lea

5 Mar 2014 - 12.14am

I have a feeling most of it has been wiped, like 99% of all NZBC stuff. I have only seen 2 episodes on here. I hope I'm wrong. If they had all the episodes they probably would have put them into DVD box sets by now.

Gary Hollier

25 Dec 2013 - 09.16pm

I appeared in a number of episodes in the early 80's. Does anyone know if they are available or viewable somewhere?

15 Dec 2013 - 05.06pm

Ian Gilmour who played alan heard in Close to Home went to Australia and appeared on Prisoner and portrayed Kevin Burns who wed Doreen May Anderson Dumb Doreen.

Geoffrey Hinds

13 Sep 2013 - 04.09pm

Is there access to sheet music of Jack Body's theme tune to "Close to home"?

3 Sep 2013 - 02.27pm

Sorry for the late reply to your comment Phil. Just looked at the cast lists for 'Close to Home' and Gayle was played by an actress named Maree McKeefrey.

With regard to Tony Currie and Robin Dene, both actors have died. I know Tony also appeared in 'Moynihan' and 'The Longest Winter - Early Days', I don't know much about Robin's career sorry.

Phil

18 Jun 2013 - 07.18pm

Who played Gayle? And what happened to Tony Currie and Robin Dene?

Mark DeFriest

23 May 2013 - 02.40pm

Great times... I truly enjoyed my time on Close to Home, both as a director and eventually as producer. Thank you TVNZ for helping me learn about story.

John Rivers

21 Jul 2012 - 01.02pm

This is really interesting to watch. Ian Gilmour (playing the guitarist) and Bill Stalker (as the moustached father) both later had big careers on Australian TV. Stalker was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1981.

Anthony Gamboni

5 Feb 2012 - 07.17pm

LOL - 3 of my siblings played the 3 children as seen in the first screen of the second clip. John tragically drowned not long after the series finished but Chris and Nicky are well and still living in the Wellington area. 2 memories from those days. The first being that I used to spend hours down at Avalon (which I hated) and the second being the cast and crew veg co-op that my parents also belonged to.

kat

11 Oct 2011 - 08.08am

wish they would release this to dvd I remember visisting the cast on set and getting all their autographs which I still have now. Had a fab day and loved looking around avalon studios.

Elo

17 Aug 2011 - 07.12pm

my drama teacher is the dude that played Gavin Houghton! so cool!

Kathleen

13 Feb 2011 - 09.20pm

So stoked to find this!! I grew up on this!!!!

jay shaw

12 Sep 2010 - 02.32am

I read about close to home here in the uk, I was curious, and came here looking at something else, really enjoyed it

Malcolm Curson

26 Jul 2010 - 04.47pm

OMG memories! I used to flat with Jim Healy (Hal Mulholland) and he got me a few small parts in the show too. Those were the days!

5 Jun 2010 - 08.57am

Didn't see ANYTHING about Close to Home on TVNZ's recent anniversary show.Shame on them.

28 May 2010 - 07.24pm

Also: Gail, Madeline, Hal Mulholland and Faith

28 May 2010 - 07.20pm

So many memories: Pop Heart, Mrs F, Ken Padget. Fiesta Delarge who had the fruit hat in the pub, Ken and Dot Padget. Where are they all now?Pete Wallace was in the Catholic seminary for a while. This show deserves reruns. So much better than Shortland Street!

Chris Griffiths

12 Nov 2009 - 01.33pm

Great memories, hope NZonScreen release some later episodes, when the characters are more developed.

I wonder what the surviving actors are doing now?

27 Oct 2009 - 11.09pm

Did you notice that they were supposed to be having mashed potatoes for dinner, which is why Carol had to peel the potatoes. But when the Father came home, he was definitely NOT eating mashed potatoes. How about that!