This Is Television Explained

Series:	The General Motors Hour
Season:	1
Episode:	2
Director:	Rod Kinnear
Presenter:	Harry Dearth
Producer:	Graham Freudenberg
Length:	60 mins
Guests:	Eric Pearce
Prev:	The Grey Nurse Said Nothing
Next:	Thunder on Sycamore Street

This Is Television is a 1960 Australian television documentary which appeared as an episode of The General Motors Hour.^[1] It included behind the scenes look at the following:^[2]

• a brief overview of how television works with Eric Pearce
• preparation of a variety show
• look at the production of The Grey Nurse Said Nothing
• preparation of In Melbourne Tonight
• the role of critics, including a discussion involving Frank Thring and newspaper critic John Moses
• appearances by Galatea and the Horrie Dargie Quintet

Advertisements for General Motors Holden appear throughout.

The documentary is hosted by radio and television presenter Harry Dearth and narrated by Melbourne newsreader Eric Pearce.^[3]

Reception

The Australian Woman's Weekly said it had "a tight script, well delivered, and gave a clear and interesting picture of what goes on."^[4]

Filmink wrote "As entertainment, it’s a mixed bag; as a historical document, it’s fascinating and invaluable."^[3]

Notes and References

1. News: New drama on Ch 7. The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 June 1960. 18.
2. Web site: NFSA - GENERAL MOTORS HOUR. EP. 02, THIS IS TELEVISION . 2023-09-01 . www.collection.nfsa.gov.au.
3. Web site: Vagg . Stephen . 2023-08-08 . Forgotten Australian Television Documentaries: This is Television . 2023-09-01 . FilmInk . en-AU.
4. News: Dreams for winners and losers . . 28 . 7 . Australia, Australia . 20 July 1960 . 26 June 2023 . 55 . National Library of Australia.