About this season
Matlock Police is an Australian television police drama series made by Crawford Productions for the 0-10 Network between 1970 and 1975. The series was the 0-10 Network's attempt to come up with a police show to rival Homicide and Division 4. Matlock Police was different from its Melbourne-based predecessors by being set in a small country town, the fictional Matlock, Victoria. Series writers had a reference manual giving full details of the town’s geography, amenities, social structure, etc., as well as that of the surrounding area - neighbouring towns included Wilga, Chinaman's Creek, Possum's Creek and Burrabri, and there was an offshoot of the Great Dividing Range called the Candowies. The town's colourful history included the local Aboriginal tribe, the town founder, a gold rush, a bushranger and a town patriarchy. About the only landmark the Matlock district lacked for dramatic purposes was a beach.
Episodes (43)
1. Natural Loser
Aired 20 January 1972 • 60 min
Lee Gibson is convinced that bad luck follows him about and that he can never win - but this time he is determined to do or die when he carries out an armed robbery.
2. Kate and Benny
The innocent friendship between a little girl and a mentally retarded young man leads them to an encounter with criminals.
3. Bury Them Together
Aired 3 February 1972 • 60 min
When a callous farmer, Geoff Mitchell, who thinks more of his shotgun than he does of his wife, chases a trespasser off his property, it sets off a chain of events that culminate in a fatal shooting.
4. A Perfect Gentleman
Aired 10 February 1972 • 60 min
A rich stranger, Ben Peterson, arouses the curiosity of the Matlock police, which turns to hatred when he is suspected of a violent sex crime. The battered, molested body of teenager Doreen Henderson is found in the bush and police discover that Peterson was the last person to see her alive.
5. One Dark Soul
Aired 17 February 1972 • 60 min
Two Matlock boys return home from spending time in Pentridge to recover the hidden proceeds of their crime. They are also seeking vengeance on Salvation Army Major McKenzie, but find they have too much conflicting information when they realise they have been double-crossed.
6. Titch
Aired 24 February 1972 • 60 min
A lonely young boy joins a dangerous criminal on a crime spree that climaxes into a violent death.
7. Brother & Sister
Aired 2 March 1972 • 60 min
In the middle of the camping season, Matlock police run up against an irate father and an officious American Army officer - and some surprising result.
8. It Could Have Been Anyone
Aired 9 March 1972 • 60 min
An accident involving the use of explosive fuel brings Matlock police to the local camping ground. During their investigations a young girl is found murdered, causing tragedy and complications for the detectives.
9. Uphill All the Way
Aired 16 March 1972 • 60 min
A routine investigation turns into a death puzzle for the Matlock police when their enquiries take them among the truck drivers that operated along the Central Highway.
10. Cat And Mouse
Aired 23 March 1972 • 60 min
An attractive young girl goes missing from Matlock, a series of bashings follow, then another girl goes missing. Matlock police try to fit the pieces together in what turns out to be a fatal game of cat and mouse.
11. The Breadwinner
Aired 30 March 1972 • 60 min
12. A Double Life
Aired 6 April 1972 • 60 min
13. Hogan's Week
Aired 13 April 1972 • 60 min
14. The Wheeler Dealer
Aired 20 April 1972 • 60 min
15. What The Eye Doesn't See
Aired 27 April 1972 • 60 min
16. Cheeky Charlie
Aired 4 May 1972 • 60 min
17. One Of Those Days
Aired 11 May 1972 • 60 min
18. The Cow Hand
Aired 18 May 1972 • 60 min
19. Quicksilver Quick
Aired 25 May 1972 • 60 min
20. A Weekend's Entertainment
Aired 1 June 1972 • 60 min
21. I'd Rather Be Shot In The Back
Aired 8 June 1972 • 60 min
22. Confessional
Aired 15 June 1972 • 60 min
23. Sir
Aired 22 June 1972 • 60 min
24. Dying Is Easy
Aired 29 June 1972 • 60 min
A family's objection's to a teenage couples relationship erupts into violence.
25. Violent Thursday
Aired 6 July 1972 • 60 min
26. Woman Wanted
Aired 13 July 1972 • 60 min
27. Butcher's Picnic
Aired 20 July 1972 • 60 min
Butcher Green's past catches up with him in Matlock when two old mates pressure him to share a lottery prize, which they feel they have a right to. Constable. Gary Hogan is accused of accepting bribes in connection with driver license tests.
28. Hurry Home
Aired 27 July 1972 • 60 min
29. Will-O-The Wisp
Aired 3 August 1972 • 60 min
30. Blow-Ups Happen
Aired 10 August 1972 • 60 min
31. If Maria Dies, The World Stops
Aired 17 August 1972 • 60 min
32. Don't Get Involved
Aired 24 August 1972 • 60 min
33. Cook's Endeavour
Aired 31 August 1972 • 60 min
34. Black Samaritan
Aired 7 September 1972 • 60 min
35. Guide Dog
Aired 14 September 1972 • 60 min
36. Ancient History
Aired 21 September 1972 • 60 min
37. Back To The Fold
Aired 28 September 1972 • 60 min
38. Ghosts
Aired 5 October 1972 • 60 min
Fear of the supernatural is exploited when Mrs. Czoska goes to live with her son and daughter-in-law. The situation is made worse by the mutual hatred between the two woman.
39. Black Man With A Bag
Aired 12 October 1972 • 60 min
40. Deception
Aired 19 October 1972 • 60 min
41. Chain Reaction
Aired 26 October 1972 • 60 min
42. The Meek Shall Inherit
Aired 2 November 1972 • 60 min
43. The Rising Cost Of Giving
Aired 9 November 1972 • 60 min