They're a Weird Mob (1966)

Director:

Michael Powell

Writers:

John O'Grady (novel)
Emeric Pressburger (writer)

Release Date:

13 October 1966 (Australia)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

The Hilarious best-seller now becomes... The funniest film ever made about Australians!

Plot:

Nino Culotta is an Italian immigrant who arrived in Australia with the promise of a job as a journalist on his cousins magazine...

Plot Keywords:

Journalist | Immigrant | Italian | Love | Italian Immigrant

Cast

Walter Chiari	...	Nino Culotta
Claire Dunne	...	Kay Kelly
Chips Rafferty	...	Harry Kelly
Alida Chelli	...	Giuliana
Ed Devereaux	...	Joe Kennedy
Slim DeGrey	...	Pat
John Meillon	...	Dennis
Charles Little	...	Jimmy
Anne Haddy	...	Barmaid
Jack Allen	...	Fat Man in Bar
Red Moore	...	Texture Man
Ray Hartley	...	Newsboy
Tony Bonner	...	Lifesaver
Alan Lander	...	Charlie
Keith Peterson	...	Drunk Man on Ferry

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

Australia | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG (TV rating) | Iceland:L | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

128 Greenacre Road, Greenacre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Williamson/Powell

Trivia:

"The House That Nino Built" was in Greenacre, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. Actors dug trenches, poured concrete, laid bricks, etc. The house was finished by George Wimpey & Co. Ltd. and then sold to raise funds for The Royal Life Saving Society. The stars footprints were set in concrete slabs in the pathway.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Story of Making the Film They're a Weird Mob (1966)

Soundtrack:

I Kiss You, You Kiss Me

a movie about another time in Australia, immigration theme

I recently watched the DVD of this movie. Way back in the sixties it was a big hit at a time when very few Australian movies were being made. I am delighted to say that the movie holds up remarkably well. It is now a charming curiosity of another time. The plot is by now well known but I wondered if I would cringe over the way Australians were portrayed. I need not have worried as the characters are warm and earthy. It was wonderful to see some of those fine actors of the past, most of whom have passed away. Chips Rafferty is superb in one of his last movies. The only character that does not work is the love interest Clare Dunne who has a very cold screen presence. She sounds like she is taking elocution lessons on screen. The most pleasant surprise is Walter Chiari as Nino. He is delightful. Chiari had a troubled career, especially in his Broadway misadventure in the flop musical "The gay time" opposite Barabara Cook. The musical however sounds wonderful now, perhaps it was ahead of its time. In this film Chiari is enchanting and dam cute too. The real joy for most Aussies is seeing a brief appearance by the undisputed king of Aussie television Graham Kennedy. Graham allows the script and director to send him up. There will sadly never be another Graham but hopefully there will be many more Australian movies as charming as this. It really was a pleasant surprise. Do see it.