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Kodak/Atlab Cinema Collection
The Picture Show Man (1977)
A new 35mm print of this feature and trailer are now available on request. Courtesy of Tim Long and Kodak (Australasia) and Atlab Australia
National Film and Sound Archive National Collection
Title Number 2335.
Classification: G rating
Synopsis
The film offers a glimpse into the past to the days of the travelling picture showmen in country NSW, who covered the backroads of the countryside in horse driven trailers and motor vans to screen films to the country folk who rarely get the chance to see a moving picture show. John Meillon plays Mr Pym, a travelling picture show operator in the 1920s along with his son Larry (Harold Hopkins) and pianist, Freddie (John Ewart) who find themselves an American rival played by Rod Taylor who have up-to-date sound equipment and moves into their territory.
Background
The film was shot on location in the New England plains around Tamworth, and in the river country near Grafton. Joan Long based her Screenplay on an autobiographical account by Lyle Penn of his experiences as youth with his travelling picture showman father. The film was less popular to Australian audiences at the time but well received by audiences overseas. The film won awards for Best Art Direction (David Copping), Best Costume Design (Judith Dorsman), Best Supporting Actor (John Ewart) and Best Original Score (Peter Best) at the 1977 Australian Film Awards.
Director
John Power
Year of Production 1977
Duration 98 minutes
Format 35mm, (1:1,85) Colour
Optical Soundtrack Mono, remastered to Dolby® Digital
Production Company
Limelight Productions
Producer
Joan Long
Screenplay
Joan Long
Director of Photography
Geoff Burton
Production Manager
Sue Milliken
Art Director
David Copping
Editor
Nicholas Beauman
Sound Recordist
Ken Hammond
Music
Peter Best
Cast
Rod Taylor (Palmer)
John Meillon (Mr Pym)
John Ewart (Freddie)
Harold Hopkins (Larry)
Gary McDonald (Lou)
Patrick Cargill (Fitzwilliam)
Jeanie Drynan (Mrs Duncan)
Tony Barry (policeman)
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