Malcolm (1986)

Malcolm is a chronically shy mechanical genius who has just been fired for building his own tram. He gets Frank, who has just been released from jail, moves in to help pay the bills. ... See full summary »

Director:

Nadia Tass

Writer:

David Parker

Stars:

Colin Friels, Lindy Davies, Chris Haywood

9 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Friels	...	Malcolm Hughes
Lindy Davies	...	Judith
Chris Haywood	...	Willy
John Hargreaves	...	Frank Baker
Charles 'Bud' Tingwell	...	Tramways supervisor
Beverley Phillips	...	Mrs. T
Judith Stratford	...	Jenny
Heather Mitchell	...	Barmaid
Tony Mahood	...	Tram Conductor
David Letch	...	Restaurant Hoon #2
Mike Bishop	...	Armed Guard
David Johnston	...	TV Announcer
Katerina Tassopoulos	...	Jenny's Mother
Ian McFadyen	...	Model Shop Salesman
Ian Shrives	...	Split Car Cop #1

Storyline

Malcolm is a chronically shy mechanical genius who has just been fired for building his own tram. He gets Frank, who has just been released from jail, moves in to help pay the bills. Malcolm, with Franks help, turns to a life of crime.

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Plot Keywords:

tram | van | milk | sexual harassment | produced by director | 

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Taglines:

A crazy genius in a mad bad world

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

El laberinto de Malcolm

Filming Locations:

Elm Street, Flemington, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Gross:

$544,472 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cascade Films, Film Victoria

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The model tram that Malcolm "built" ran on a motorbike engine, the rest having being put together with spare parts by workers at Preston Workshops in Melbourne, Australia. After the film was completed, the tram was donated to the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Tramways supervisor: You'd better get them separated.

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Crazy Credits

The character of 'Malcolm' was inspired by JOHN TASSOPOULOS. All other characters and events depicted in this motion picture are entirely fictional...

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Connections

Referenced in C.H.U.D. II - Bud the Chud (1989)

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Soundtracks

"Yodel 1"
(uncredited)
Music by Simon Jeffes
Performed by Penguin Cafe Orchestra

User Reviews

"Hands up you assholes!" Watch this film.

I was very happy to find this awesome film on DVD for $10 yesterday. I hadn't seen it for ages but I knew that buying it would result in many happy viewings in the future. My first viewing reinforced my view that this film is just as terrific and engaging as I saw it when I was a young fella. The whole gadgetry was what I loved back then. Now I still love the gadgets but the whole story makes it a terrific viewing experience.

The three main performances from the film are all unreal. Colin Friels is so great as the awkward and brilliant Malcolm, John Hargraves is super as the dodgy but good hearted crim and Lindy Davies is wonderful as Judith. She is sexy and straightforward in a really honest way that is rarely captured in any film (kinda reminds me of Rachel Griffiths).

Big plaudits have to go to the writing/producing/directing team of David Parker and Nadia Tass. The info contained on the DVD explains to us that the Malcolm character was based on Tass's brother John who was, like Malcolm, socially inept but had formidable intelligence and talent. The final character is so likable. The fact that they put the whole thing together speaks very highly of them as a film-making team (another terrific film they did was "The Big Steal").

They did a great job on the special effects too. Low budget but iconic really. The car, tram, rubbish bins (!) are brilliant. The film's opening with the tram also highlights the very special score of the film. Watching Malcolm cruise around Melbourne in his homemade tram with the music in the background is a really lovely way to open the movie.

It's been years since there has been a funny, innovative, big-hearted Australian film like this (or The Big Steal). Hopefully someone out there can match it.