You Can't See 'Round Corners is an Australian drama and military TV series that aired on the Seven Network for 26 episodes from 28 June 1967 based on the 1947 novel by Jon Cleary, updated to be set during the Vietnam War. It was directed by David Cahill and shot around Sydney in black and white, and was adapted into a film version in 1969.
Cast
Main
Ken Shorter as Frankie McCoy
Lyndall Barbour as Mrs. McCoy
Rowena Wallace as Margie Harris
Judith Fisher as Peg Clancy
Carmen Duncan as Myra Neilson
Slim DeGrey as Mick Patterson
Guest cast
Reg Evans as Ern McCauliffe (3 episodes) Garry McDonald as Young Man (1 episode) Tom Oliver Diana Perryman
Production
Jim Oswin of ATN-7 asked Richard Lane if he knew of an Australian novel to adapt. Lane suggested Jon Cleary's You Can't See Round Corners which was a favourite of Lane's wife, updated to the Vietnam War. Oswin agreed. The novel was set in Paddington but Lane thought that suburb had changed so much by the 1960s he relocated it to Newtown. Lane wrote the first 17 scripts and was consultant on the last nine.
This was Rowena Wallace's first professional dramatic TV series. She was recommended by Barry Creyton who was originally going to play the role of Frankie McCoy, the role that went to Ken Shorter.
The series garnered controversy on release because of a scene where Frankie, an army deserter, runs his hand up Margie's skirt. Wallace says she had no idea Shorter was going to do this, which is why her reaction was so authentic. Many stations around Australia cut the scene.
The majority of episodes were written by Richard Lane. Peter Weir worked on the show as a production assistant.
Reception
The show was generally well received.