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 Tells a Fortune
Release Date: 1973-01-22Synopsis: An astrologer predicts his own death, but not at the hands of a murderer. Boney investigates, and soon finds there is more to the case than meets the eye. Notes: First episode with Kate Fitzpatrick as Const. Alice McGorr. Based on the novel 'The Battling Prophet'. Filmed at Port Macquarie, New South Wales.
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Episode 2 - Boney and the Paroo Bikeman
Release Date: 1973-01-29Synopsis: Boney is suspected of being a trade union organiser and a black leg labour recruiter as he probes a double murder amongst bitter industrial trouble on a sheep station. Notes: Based on the novel 'Madman's Bend'. Filmed in New South Wales. Kate Fitzpatrick does not appear in this episode.
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Episode 3 - Boney and the Strangler
Release Date: 1973-02-05Synopsis: Boney investigates the killing of a pregnant girl in a tropical rain forest. He finds half a dozen logical suspects, but no tracks leading to or from the body. Notes: Based on the novel 'Winds Of Evil'. Filmed at Port Macquarie, New South Wales.
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Episode 4 - Boney and the Powder Trail
Release Date: 1973-02-12Synopsis: Boney tracks down a hired killer who tries to escape across the outback with a young Aboriginal guide and a bag of highly marketable heroin. Notes: Based on the novel 'The Sands Of Windee'. Filmed in New South Wales.
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Episode 5 - Boney and the Albatross
Release Date: 1973-02-19Synopsis: Boney investigates the disappearance of a U.S. senator at sea, near a small Australian coastal town. Boney's investigations reveal that the senator was murdered in order to protect the headquarters of an international drug syndicate. Notes: Based on the novel 'The Mystery Of Swordfish Reef'. Filmed at Port Macquarie, New South Wales.
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Episode 6 - Boney and the Kelly Gang
Release Date: 1973-02-26Synopsis: Boney poses as a bank robber with a gang of Irish-Australian armed bandits, and leads them into a trap. The gang wear suits of armour in the tradition of Ned Kelly. Notes: Based on the novel ‘Bony And The Kelly Gang’. Filmed near Orange, New South Wales.
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Episode 7 - Boney Hunts a Murderess
Release Date: 1973-03-05Synopsis: A woman returning to an outback town after a 10 year jail term for the murder of her husband becomes an obvious suspect when a man is murdered on her train. Notes: Based on the novel 'Man Of Two Tribes'. Filmed near Wellington, New South Wales.
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Episode 8 - Boney and the Devil's Step
Release Date: 1973-03-19Synopsis: A famous show business personality is found murdered at a luxury health farm. Boney checks in as a guest to investigate, and has to unravel a complex case involving a change of leadership in a ruthless international crime syndicate. Notes: Based on the novel 'The Devil's Steps'. Filmed in New South Wales.
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Episode 9 - Boney Walks with Death
Release Date: 1973-03-26Synopsis: A half-caste Aboriginal, bearing a striking resemblance to Boney and using his name, is killed when a crop duster engulfs him in a lethal cloud of insecticide. Dr. Paul Henderson seems over anxious to protect his fiancée, Gloria Lacey, the daughter of an outback magistrate. Gloria had an affair with the murdered man and has received death threats. Notes: Based on the novel 'The Bone Is Pointed'. Filmed in New South Wales.
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Episode 10 - Boney and the Burial Tree
Release Date: 1973-04-02Synopsis: A white man is shot and 'buried' Aboriginal-style in a tree. Nobody on the outback property where the body was found will admit having seen him, although he was watching the homestead from his camp. Boney has to deal with a fanatical Army officer out to avenge the death of his mate, who captures Alice McGorr and tests Boney's skill and ingenuity to the full. Notes: Based on the novel 'The Will Of The Tribe'. Filmed in New South Wales.
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Episode 11 - Boney and the Silent Order
Release Date: 1973-04-09Synopsis: A light aircraft carrying a large payroll disappears after a forced landing on an emergency airstrip in the bush. Boney and Alice McGorr make a startling discovery at a nearby convent, a 'silent order' where the nuns are not permitted to speak. Alice risks her life posing as a nun, while Boney searches the bush for two kangaroo shooters who prefer human game. Notes: Final episode with Kate Fitzpatrick as Const. Alice McGorr. Filmed in New South Wales. Not directly based on a novel.
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Episode 12 - Boney and the Black Clansman
Release Date: 1973-04-11Synopsis: While investigating sheep rustling and reprisal killings of stockmen, Boney walks into a full scale clan feud between two Australian outback families who cling stubbornly to the grim traditions of their Scottish ancestors. Notes: Based on the novel 'Bushranger Of The Skies'. Filmed in New South Wales.
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Episode 13 - Boney and the Emu Man
Release Date: 1973-04-30Synopsis: Three babies are kidnapped in a small country town - then a fourth disappears with it's mother. Boney uncovers a cult based on Aboriginal lore as the townspeople try to start a new tribe to replace those displaced by white men. Notes: Based on the novel 'Murder Must Wait'. Filmed in New South Wales.