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'''Arcade''' is an Australian television soap opera shown in 1980 that became one of the biggest flops in the history of Australian television. It aired on the Ten Network with the first episode shown on January 20 1980.
The series was produced solely by the Ten Network with a budget of $1 million. ''Arcade'' was set in a shopping centre and dealt with the lives of those who worked at the various shops. The plan was to have the show on the air before the ratings season started to build an audience, however the serial quickly proved itself a ratings disaster which actually caused the shows on rival networks it was programmed against to improve in the ratings. ''Arcade'' was cancelled after only six weeks and 30 episodes.
The pilot episode had been produced by Bill Harmon who had earlier produced the highly successful soap opera ''Number 96''. ''Arcade'' also employed ''Number 96's creator David Sale and its veteran scriptwriter Johnny Whyte as scriptwriters. Long running ''Number 96'' actor Mike Dorsey was cast in a regular role in this new series. Other recognisable actors in the cast included Aileen Britton, Patrick Ward, Olga Tamara, Christine Harris, Tracy Mann, Peggy Toppano, Garth Meade, and Danny Adcock.
After the series ended two of its more experienced regular cast members, Lorrae Desmond and Syd Heylen, took leading regular roles in successful drama series ''A Country Practice''.

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External links

External links

★ Aussie Soap Archive: Arcade

★ Arcade at the National Film and Sound Archive