John Clarke - The Collection
Curated by NZ On Screen team 45 items
A collection celebrating the outstanding career of beloved Kiwi comedy legend John Clarke. We lost him to Australia, but not before he entrenched himself in Kiwi culture with his iconic Fred Dagg character. There’s plenty of Fred to enjoy, and much more besides. Get in behind!
Overview
'Legend' is not a word to be bandied around, but John Clarke earned it. This collection showcases the comic talent of the man from Palmerston North. Included are specially-created tributes, Fred Dagg documentary The Dagg Sea Scrolls and a tractor-load of Dagg clips, many of which haven't been seen in ages. Six backgrounders offer further sustenance. Alongside a collection of short tributes by friends and famous fans, check out pieces by John's daughter Lorin Clarke, friend Ginette McDonald and comedy expert Paul Horan — plus John's Australian mates Bryan Dawe and Wendy Harmer reflect.
Backgrounds
Profiles
Television
Collection Gallery
Fred Dagg and telephone, from 1976 book The Thoughts of Chairman Fred. The shot was taken as part of a day long photo session on Brian and Pam Lochore's North Wairarapa farm. Clarke, photographer John Selkirk, and publisher Ian Grant used a wide range of props, from a tractor to the Lochores’ bed.
Photo courtesy of Fourth Estate Books, Fourth Estate Group. Photo by John Selkirk
Fred Dagg looking at protestors in bro'Town "A Vegetarian at my Table"
Courtesy of Firehorse Films
John Clarke as Fred Dagg in 1975
© Dominion Post
John Clarke as Fred Dagg Publicity Still
© Dominion Post
John Clarke as Fred Dagg in Dagg Day Afternoon.
Supplied by Onfilm
Journalist and current affairs presenter David Exel in the 1990s, after he moved into public relations. Exel was the first person to interview Fred Dagg on TV (for Gallery), and helped coin Dagg's name.
Photo courtesy of Audette and Mary Exel
Fred Dagg and telephone, from 1976 book The Thoughts of Chairman Fred. The book was adapted from scripts John Clarke originally wrote for Radio Windy and TV1.
Photo courtesy of Fourth Estate Books, Fourth Estate Group. Photo by John Selkirk
John Clarke and long-time collaborator Bryan Dawe
© Shelley Farthing-Dawe. Supplied by Bryan Dawe
John Clarke and long-time collaborator Bryan Dawe
© Krista McClelland. Supplied by Bryan Dawe
John Clarke and long-time collaborator Bryan Dawe
© Krista McClelland. Supplied by Bryan Dawe
John Clarke speaks to the crowd at Telethon 1977
TVNZ. Supplied by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision — TVNZ Collection
Fred Dagg & the Trevors, as photographed by director Murray Reece while making Dagg's 1974 Country Calendar episode, in Whitemans Valley. From left to right: John Banas, unknown, Gary Smith (a farmer in real life), John Clarke, Michael Haigh, unknown and unknown.
Photo used with the permission of Murray Reece
Fred Dagg improvising in Brian and Pam Lochores’ hay barn, from 1976 book The Thoughts of Chairman Fred.
Photo courtesy of Fourth Estate Books, Fourth Estate Group. Photo by John Selkirk
John Clarke with a crew member, on the Hudson and Halls kitchen set.
©TVNZ. Supplied by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision — TVNZ Collection
On the same day of the photo session for book The Thoughts of Chairman Fred on Brian & Pam Lochore’s farm, son David had his birthday. Fred Dagg made a surprise visit. Next to Dagg, David Lohore peers over Matthew Grant, whose brother Nick (later a Breakfast producer) totes a weapon. Mums Diane Grant & Pam Lochore are left & right respectively. David’s gumboot-wearing sisters Joanne (left) & Sandra (right) are seated.
Photo courtesy of Fourth Estate Books, Fourth Estate Group. Photo by John Selkirk
John Clarke on the cassette cover of Fred Dagg's Live Album
© Matt Elliott Collection
John Clarke on set at Telethon 1977 as Fred Dagg. Eight other performers (including Ray Columbus, third from right), also dressed in Fred Dagg-style costume, stand behind him striking ‘strong-arm’ poses.
TVNZ. Supplied by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision — TVNZ Collection
Fred Dagg and television camera, from 1976 book The Thoughts of Chairman Fred.
Photo courtesy of Fourth Estate Books, Fourth Estate Group. Photo by John Selkirk
A publicity shot of John Clarke as Fred Dagg from 1975
Supplied by Lorin Clarke
John Clarke behind the camera during filming of the Country Calendar spoof in 1974
Supplied by Lorin Clarke
John Clarke as Fred Dagg on stage during the Fred Dagg NZ Tour in 1976
Supplied by Lorin Clarke
John Clarke as Fred Dagg on stage during the Fred Dagg NZ Tour in 1976
Supplied by Lorin Clarke
John Clarke as Fred Dagg on stage during the Fred Dagg NZ Tour in 1976
Supplied by Lorin Clarke
John Clarke as Fred Dagg Signing Books with Gumboot in 1975
© Dominion Post
Concept pic of Fred Dagg from the bro'Town episode "A Vegetarian at My Table"
Courtesy of Firehorse Films
Concept pic of Fred Dagg from the bro'Town episode "A Vegetarian at My Table"
Courtesy of Firehorse Films