Winners & Losers: Shining with the Shiner

Conman and victim face off in the first, and arguably funniest Winners & Losers episode. Legendary vagabond The Shiner (Coronation Street's Ivan Beavis) sets out to prove to his fellow swaggers that he can con alcohol from a dour publican (Ian Watkin). Co-director Ian Mune dons a fake eye; singer Tommy Adderley plays harmonica. The real life Shiner — Irishman Ned Slattery — was immortalised in a series of stories by John A Lee.  Although Lee claimed to have "once walked thirty miles side by side" with Slattery, he admitted that his Shiner stories were far from gospel truth. 

Good script, good characterisation, comic incidents comically filmed. Probably the only film ever made in New Zealand which had a laugh in every minute.

– John A Lee, in 1977 Department of Education booklet The Shiner - Shooting Script

Key Cast & Crew

Ian Mune

Co-Director , As: Honourable McKay, Producer

Ian Watkin

As: Publican Robinson

Ivan Beavis

As: The Shiner

Roger Simpson

Writer

Nevan Rowe

As: Barmaid

Johnny Johnstone

As: Swagger