Maurice Brendan Murphy (born 1944 in Sydney) is an Australian film and
television director, producer, writer and actor. He is best known for
his influential work as a director of TV comedy programs for the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation â€" most notably The Aunty Jack
Show â€" and for his 1980 feature film adaptation of the Australian
comic strip Fatty Finn.After a month as a Melbourne University
student, Murphy realised that his true calling was in the
entertainment world. For the next three years, he financed his
theatrical pursuits at The Little Theatre in South Yarra, by working
at the Victorian Railways. In 1960, Murphy joined the Australian
Broadcasting Commission (ABC) where he worked his way up to being a
director. 'The ABC was a great training institute at that time, and a
place which allowed me much creative freedom. I learned a great deal
there' says Murphy of his years at the ABC. His first big break was in
1967 with the big budget 20-episode variety series, I'm Alright Now,
with Reg Livermore. In 1973, Murphy became Head of Entertainment at
the ABC.Murphy's show biz enthusiasm was well-developed long before
his ABC years. As a young child he was enthralled by the physical
comedy of the clowns at Wirth's Circus. Later at boarding school he
discovered Abbott & Costello films, delighting in their vaudevillian
routines. The cinema became an integral part of Murphy's school
holidays with musicals, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby 'Road' movies and
comedies his favourite genres and ones that would influence his future
work.
television director, producer, writer and actor. He is best known for
his influential work as a director of TV comedy programs for the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation â€" most notably The Aunty Jack
Show â€" and for his 1980 feature film adaptation of the Australian
comic strip Fatty Finn.After a month as a Melbourne University
student, Murphy realised that his true calling was in the
entertainment world. For the next three years, he financed his
theatrical pursuits at The Little Theatre in South Yarra, by working
at the Victorian Railways. In 1960, Murphy joined the Australian
Broadcasting Commission (ABC) where he worked his way up to being a
director. 'The ABC was a great training institute at that time, and a
place which allowed me much creative freedom. I learned a great deal
there' says Murphy of his years at the ABC. His first big break was in
1967 with the big budget 20-episode variety series, I'm Alright Now,
with Reg Livermore. In 1973, Murphy became Head of Entertainment at
the ABC.Murphy's show biz enthusiasm was well-developed long before
his ABC years. As a young child he was enthralled by the physical
comedy of the clowns at Wirth's Circus. Later at boarding school he
discovered Abbott & Costello films, delighting in their vaudevillian
routines. The cinema became an integral part of Murphy's school
holidays with musicals, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby 'Road' movies and
comedies his favourite genres and ones that would influence his future
work.
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