Boney (1972)
Boney is an Australian television series produced by Fauna Productions during 1971 and 1972, featuring James Laurenson in the title role of Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte. Two series, each of thirteen episodes were filmed. The series is centred on Bonaparte, a half-Australian Aboriginal character, created by Arthur Upfield, who wrote twenty nine novels about him from 1929 until his death in 1964.
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Episode 1 - Boney and the Claypan Mystery
Release Date: 1972-07-27A light aircraft is found in Central Australia. Unconscious in the passenger seat is a young woman, paralysed by drugs, with no sign of a pilot or any tracks in the vicinity. Boney investigates, only to be confronted by a second attempt at killing the girl. Based on the novel 'Wings Above The Diamantina'. Filmed in Central Australia.
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Episode 2 - Boney Meets the Daybreak Killer
Release Date: 1972-08-03The murder of two girls in the outback town of Daybreak has baffled local police. Boney arrives to work on the case under cover as a horse breaker. Based on the novel 'Bony And The Mouse'. Filmed in South Australia. Frank Hardy won a Logie award for Best Scriptwriter (1972), and James Laurenson won a Logie award for Best Individual Acting Performance (1972) for this episode.
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Episode 3 - Boney and the Reaper
Release Date: 1972-08-10A large reaping machine pushes George Loftus' car into the path of a train. Boney has many suspects, and soon uncovers a connection to a murder in Rabul. Based on the novel 'Mr. Jelly's Business'. Filmed at Narridy, near Port Pirie, South Australia.
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Episode 4 - Boney in Venom House
Release Date: 1972-08-17On the track of a murderer, Boney comes to a gloomy old family home, long since cursed by Aboriginals. He finds two sisters twisted by jealousy and hate, a psychiatric nurse acting as housekeeper and, locked upstairs, a powerful man with the brain of a child. Based on the novel 'Venom House'. Filmed in New South Wales.
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Episode 5 - Boney Buys a Coffin
Release Date: 1972-08-31An unidentified body is found near a small fishing town, which is linked to the disappearance of a Vietnam serviceman. A stray dog leads Boney to vital clues that help solve a case of murder and drug addiction. Based on the novel 'The Clue Of The New Shoe'. Filmed in New South Wales.
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Episode 6 - Boney and the Payback Killer
Release Date: 1972-09-07An Aboriginal boxer is released from prison after serving a sentence for killing his tribal brother. He maintains he was innocent and sets out to serve Aboriginal justice on the real killer. Filmed in Sydney. Not directly based on a novel.
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Episode 7 - Boney Picks a Widow
Release Date: 1972-09-14Two widows have been murdered in Broken Bay, a small coastal town. Boney sets a trap for the killer using human bait - the widow he believes will be the next victim. Based on the novel 'The Widows Of Broome'. Filmed in New South Wales.
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Episode 8 - Boney and the Black Virgin
Release Date: 1972-09-21Investigating the strange death of an escaped convict, Boney discovers the prime suspect has also been murdered. He finds the key to the mystery in a weird love triangle. Based on the novel 'Bony And The Black Virgin'. Filmed in Central Australia.
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Episode 9 - Boney Takes a Holiday
Release Date: 1972-10-05A veterinary student and a customs agent disappear in the Flinders Ranges. Boney finds himself plunged into a strange case of murder and the illegal export of Merino rams. Based on the novel 'The Mountains Have A Secret'. Filmed at Wilpena Pound, South Australia. Last television role by Buster Fiddess.
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Episode 10 - Boney Buys a Woman
Release Date: 1972-10-12In the baffling mystery of a murdered white woman and her abducted daughter, Boney seeks clues among a tribe of Aboriginals. To spring his trap on the murderer, he must buy the beautiful Meena from her tribal chief. Based on the novel 'Bony Buys A Woman'. Filmed in Central Australia. The corroboree scenes on the series opening and closing titles are taken from this episode.
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Episode 11 - Boney and the White Savage
Release Date: 1972-10-26A young rapist escapes from prison and returns to the rugged mountain area near his home, and the scene of the crime, seeking refuge. Boney strikes fresh trouble when the rape victim tries to protect her attacker. Based on the novel 'Bony And The White Savage'. Filmed at Wilpena Pound, South Australia.
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Episode 12 - Boney and the Monster
Release Date: 1972-11-02Aborigines in the heart of the Australian outback plan a ritual killing with Boney as the intended victim when he investigates the mysterious death of a geologist. The Aborigines say the geologist has been trampled by the 'monster of Alice Gap', protector of their sacred burial ground. Investigations lead Boney on the track of a cattle stealing operation. Based on the novel 'The Lake Frome Monster'. Filmed in Central Australia.
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Episode 13 - Boney and the Black Opal
Release Date: 1972-11-09A policeman is found murdered on a road in the rugged MacDonnell Ranges and his black tracker is missing, also believed dead. Boney has an ally in a tribe of Aboriginals bent on revenge. Based on the novel 'Cake In The Hat Box'. Filmed in Central Australia.