Lydiard Street was transformed into a 1950s alternative reality on Wednesday, with the return of The Doctor Blake Mysteries cast and crew.
Now in production for season 5, the show stars well-loved heart-throb Craig McLachlan as the shell-shocked, sleuthing Dr Blake.
Shops along Lydiard Street from the Old Colonists’ Hall to the Mining Exchange were repurposed with old-fashioned banners, while mid-century cars like FJ Holdens and Ford Zephyrs lined the streets.
Scores of onlookers crowded the street, watching a scene depicting the announcement of a boxing match between "Mad Dog Mickey" and "Raging Ray".
Lydiard Street was uncharacteristically filled with production crew wearing the unofficial television worker “uniform” of trendy black clothes and berets.
While McLachlan was not on set, the show’s managers have promised the cast will return to Ballarat for more filming over the coming days.
Season 4 is currently screening on ABC TV on Saturday nights at 9.15pm.
