John Patterson (screenwriter)
John Carne Patterson was an Australian screenwriter, lyricist, playwright and children's author. He is known for co-creating the Australian children's television series Johnson and Friends, with Ian Munro and Ron Saunders. Munro and Patterson also co-created Boffins and Patterson has written for other children's series including Fatty and George, Escape from Jupiter, the 1990s version of The Toothbrush Family, New MacDonald's Farm and Toybox. He also co-wrote the successful Australian drama film Annie's Coming Out.
As a children's author
John Patterson wrote several books based on the Johnson and Friends series. These were published through ABC Books.They include:
- Beginnings
- The Battle of the Bed
- The Book of Letters
- The Book of Numbers
- Best of Friends
- The Thing Outside
- Windchimes
- Sock Soup
- The Flood
- A Trip to the Moon
- The Train Conductor
- Johnson and Friends
- Best of Friends
Death and legacy
On 6 February 2016, Patterson was swimming at a beach in Coffs Harbour when he suffered a heart attack and drowned as a result.The 2016 Logie Awards paid tribute to him in an 'In Memoriam' slideshow. He has also been remembered via a page on the Johnson and Friends fansite, "Michael's Bedroom" which is run by long-time Johnson and Friends enthusiast, Joseph Marshall.
Known film and television credits
The Transport Game Olives Don't Float Noise Destroys I Hate Holidays Don't Be a Bloody Idiot The Automated Mariner Mrs Harding Teaches Resourcefully Land Use and Abuse Good Fellers Alcohol: The Problem with Drinking The Fitness Factor ABC of Unions Fatty and George A Fish For All Seasons Annie's Coming Out Tasmania: Free Enterprise State Land of Hope Pals- ''Toybox''