The Mad Dog Gang Meets Rotten Fred and Ratsguts (TV movie)

In this award-winning children's adventure created by Ian Mune, Tony (Ian Templeton) and Suey (Julie Wilson) spend time on their uncle's farm and become country kids — riding horses to school and getting stick from mouthy classmate Harvey (Buddy Ruruku). The trio are fascinated by local drifter 'Rotten' Fred, whose dog Ratsguts is rumoured to be a sheep killer. They form the Mad Dog gang, uncovering Fred's history and protecting him from vindictive farmer Wilkie (John Bach). Directed by Ross Jennings, this telemovie combines three half-hour episodes. It was named Best Drama at the 1979 Feltex Television Awards.  

I got him on board with a TV series I was working on: The Mad Dog Gang Meets Rotten Fred and Ratsguts. It was Arthur who came up with two new and important characters: a ewe named Mrs Woolworth and her lamb, Gladwrap. The name comes from the city kids seeing the birth and their awe at the shiny coat the lamb arrives in.

– Writer Ian Mune on Arthur Baysting's input into the second Mad Dog instalment, The Mad Dog Gang Spooks Wilkie, Wink Wink and the Wobbler, Audioculture, 30 September 2019

Key Cast & Crew

John Bach

As: Wilkie

Buddy Ruruku

As: Harvey Kepanui

Walt Brown

As: Fred

Arthur Baysting

Writer

Julie Wilson

As: Suey

Ian Mune

Writer