Betty's Bunch

Television series

Greg McGee
Dean Parker

Directed byChris BaileyStarring

Maggie Kirkpatrick
Sarah Ford
Anthony Samuels
Jessica Cardiff-Smith
Clayton Spence
Paul Chubb
Ken Blackburn

ComposerDave McArtneyCountry of originNew ZealandOriginal languageEnglishNo. of seasons1No. of episodes13 (list of episodes)ProductionExecutive producers

Don Reynolds
Ross Jennings
John McRae

ProducerWayne TourellCinematographyMatt BowkettEditors

Dermot McNeillage
Christine Munro

Running time30 minutesProduction companies

South Pacific Pictures
Television New Zealand

Original releaseNetworkChannel 2Release18 February (1990-02-18) –
13 May 1990 (1990-05-13)

Betty's Bunch was a television drama/adventure series from New Zealand, produced in 1989. Aimed at a young audience, the story revolved around four foster kids living with Betty. Though things are not always easy financially for the family, they keep the spirit up. Things quickly become more difficult when they attract the attention of the two thieves Arthur and The Charmer. Soon afterwards, Betty is kidnapped and her foster children are forced to search for her, as well as avoid being separated by social services.^[1]

The series was repeated on New Zealand afternoon television in 1993 and screened in the UK on Channel Four.

The music and theme tune was performed by Dave McArtney of Hello Sailor.

Cast and characters

Main

Maggie Kirkpatrick as Betty^[2]
Sarah Ford as Megan
Anthony Samuels as Mick
Jessica Cardiff-Smith as Chrissie
Clayton Spence as Billy
Paul Chubb as Arthur "the Con" Quinter
Ken Blackburn as the Charmer

Guest

Rena Owen as Shirley Gardner
Ian Watkin as Sgt. Meadows
Frank Whitten as Eagleton^[3]
Tina Grenville as Amanda

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"No Dough"	Chris Bailey	Unknown	18 February 1990 (1990-02-18)
2	"Stalled"	Chris Bailey	Unknown	25 February 1990 (1990-02-25)
3	"Stake Out"	Chris Bailey	Unknown	4 March 1990 (1990-03-04)
4	"Uncle Chas"	Chris Bailey	Unknown	11 March 1990 (1990-03-11)
5	"Billy Does a Runner"	Chris Bailey	Unknown	18 March 1990 (1990-03-18)
6	"Gotcha"	Chris Bailey	Unknown	25 March 1990 (1990-03-25)
7	"Ghosts"	Chris Bailey	Unknown	1 April 1990 (1990-04-01)
8	"Happy Families"	Chris Bailey	Chris Hampson	8 April 1990 (1990-04-08)
9	"The Incredible Journey"	Chris Bailey	Unknown	14 April 1990 (1990-04-14)
10	"The Weirdest Show on Earth"	Chris Bailey	Chris Hampson	22 April 1990 (1990-04-22)
11	"To the Island"	Chris Bailey	Dean Parker	29 April 1990 (1990-04-29)
12	"Down to the Centre of the Earth"	Chris Bailey	Dean Parker	6 May 1990 (1990-05-06)
13	"The Lolly"	Chris Bailey	Unknown	13 May 1990 (1990-05-13)

References

^ "Betty's Bunch | Films". Southpacificpictures.com. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
^ "Wicked part for a veteran villain". Nzherald.co.nz. Archived from the original on 26 May 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
^ "Outrageous Fortune - Frank Whitten". Outrageousfortune.co.nz. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.