Puberty Blues (1981)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

Gabrielle Carey (novel)
Margaret Kelly (written by)
(more)

Release Date:

10 December 1981 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

The mating rituals of two teenage surf chicks from the southern suburbs of Sydney.

Plot Keywords:

Surfing | Card Playing | Curtain | Restaurant | Teenage Angst

Cast

Nell Schofield	...	Debbie Vickers
Jad Capelja	...	Sue Knight
Geoff Rhoe	...	Garry
Tony Hughes	...	Danny
Sandy Paul	...	Tracy
Leander Brett	...	Cheryl
Jay Hackett	...	Bruce
Ned Lander	...	Strach
Joanne Olsen	...	Vicki
Julie Medana	...	Kim
Michael Shearman	...	Glenn
Dean Dunstone	...	Seagull
Tina Robinson Hansen	...	Freda (as Tina Robinson)
Nerida Clark	...	Carol
Kirrily Nolan	...	Mrs. Vickers
Alan Cassell	...	Mr. Vickers
Rowena Wallace	...	Mrs. Knight
Charles 'Bud' Tingwell	...	The Headmaster
Kate Sheil	...	Mrs. Velland
Pamela Gibbons	...	Jazz ballet teacher
Lynne Murphy	...	Mrs. Hennessy
Andrew Martin	...	Mr. Berkhoff
Rob Thomas	...	Car salesman
Brian Harrison	...	Mr. Little
Brian Anderson	...	Drive-In attendant

Directed by
Bruce Beresford

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Gabrielle Carey		novel
Margaret Kelly		written by
Kathy Lette		novel

Produced by
Margaret Kelly	....	producer
Joan Long	....	producer

Original Music by
Tim Finn
Les Gock

Cinematography by
Donald McAlpine

Film Editing by
William M. Anderson
Jeanine Chiavlo

Production Design by
David Copping

Costume Design by
Sue Armstrong

Production Management
Greg Ricketson	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mark Egerton	....	first assistant director

Camera and Electrical Department
Sam Bienstock	....	electrical best boy
David Burr	....	focus puller

Music Department
Les Gock	....	musical director
Ashley Irwin	....	music arranger

Production Companies

• Limelight Productions

Distributors

• Roadshow Home Video
• Umbrella Entertainment (2002) (Australia) (all media)
• Universal Classics (1983) (USA)

Other Companies

• Spectrum Films International  post-production facilities

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:18 | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Cronulla, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Limelight Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: Debbie's hair changes length throughout the film.

Quotes:

Debbie Vickers: It stinks.
Sue Knight: What?
Debbie Vickers: Everything.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: Beach Blanket Bizarro (#5.17)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

I Hope I Never

A very eighties look at teenage life by the beach

Puberty Blues is a movie about being a teenager.. unlike it's American, high budget counterparts such as Pretty in Pink or Fast Times at Ridgemont High, it is a very honest look at life as a teenager. It centres around two girls who are trying to fit in with the "surfie chick" crowd and to do so must participate in the usual teenage antics (sex, drinking, cheating on History tests etc.). What the film lacks in plot, budget and acting it makes up for with sheer honesty - there's no ultra happy "feel-good" ending like in the formentioned counterparts, but instead you are left with the impression that life really was like that for them. All in all, one to be seen, but forgotten.