Don's Party (1976)

The movie Dons Party is about a wild house party in a suburban Australian neighbourhood. Don Henderson convinces his wife to have another party so that their friends can gather to watch the... See full summary »

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

David Williamson (play), David Williamson

Stars:

Pat Bishop, John Hargreaves, Graham Kennedy

6 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ray Barrett	...	Mal
Clare Binney	...	Susan
Pat Bishop	...	Jenny
Graeme Blundell	...	Simon
Jeanie Drynan	...	Kath Henderson
John Hargreaves	...	Don Henderson
Harold Hopkins	...	Cooley
Graham Kennedy	...	Mack
Veronica Lang	...	Jody
Candy Raymond	...	Kerry
Kit Taylor	...	Evan
John Grey Gorton	...	Himself (Prime Minister of Australia 1968-1971)

Storyline

The movie Dons Party is about a wild house party in a suburban Australian neighbourhood. Don Henderson convinces his wife to have another party so that their friends can gather to watch the election, drink and carry on. Dons wife, Kath sees the party as just more work, while Don sees it as a chance to break his boring routine. The year is 1969 and some of Dons friends have jumped on the bandwagon of sexual freedom and experimentation. However, others at the party are more conservative about their politics and sex, and naturally, arguments break out over politics and fist fights erupt over the seduction of others wives.

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Plot Keywords:

party | friend | politics | sex | election | 

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Taglines:

What a helluva night!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1976 (Australia)

Filming Locations:

Elouera Road, Westleigh, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Commission, The, Double Head

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bruce Beresford, this film's director, originally intended Harold Hopkins to play the part of Evan the dentist in this film but then re-cast him as Coolie.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Kath Henderson: Could you put Richard in the car?
Don Henderson: Right.

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Connections

Featured in Puberty Blues (1981)

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Soundtracks

"Good Times"
Performed by The Easybeats

User Reviews

Hysterically Funny Slice of the 60's

Don's Party is a really funny film. It also is a glimpse at how the 60's sexual revolution invaded suburban Australia. The dialogue is taut and sharp, the characters both quirky and realistic, and the setup funny in a tawdry, Blake Edwards kind of way. A fun rental well worth seeing.