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The Picture Show Man

  • 1977
  • PG
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
262
YOUR RATING
Rod Taylor, Sally Conabere, John Ewart, Harold Hopkins, Garry McDonald, John Meillon, and Judy Morris in The Picture Show Man (1977)
ComedyDrama

At the beginnings of this centuary a man, his son and a piano player travel around Australia showing the first silent movies (naturally in black and white). But what they really want is stay... Read allAt the beginnings of this centuary a man, his son and a piano player travel around Australia showing the first silent movies (naturally in black and white). But what they really want is stay at one place and open up a cinema.At the beginnings of this centuary a man, his son and a piano player travel around Australia showing the first silent movies (naturally in black and white). But what they really want is stay at one place and open up a cinema.

  • Director
    • John Power
  • Writers
    • Joan Long
    • Lyle Penn
  • Stars
    • John Meillon
    • Rod Taylor
    • John Ewart
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    262
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Power
    • Writers
      • Joan Long
      • Lyle Penn
    • Stars
      • John Meillon
      • Rod Taylor
      • John Ewart
    • 5User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 5 nominations

    Photos

    Rod Taylor, Sally Conabere, John Ewart, Harold Hopkins, Garry McDonald, John Meillon, and Judy Morris in The Picture Show Man (1977)
    Rod Taylor, Sally Conabere, John Ewart, Harold Hopkins, Garry McDonald, John Meillon, and Judy Morris in The Picture Show Man (1977)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Meillon
    John Meillon
    • Pym
    Rod Taylor
    Rod Taylor
    • Palmer
    John Ewart
    John Ewart
    • Freddie
    Harold Hopkins
    Harold Hopkins
    • Larry
    Sally Conabere
    • Lucy
    Patrick Cargill
    Patrick Cargill
    • Fitzwilliam
    Jelena Zigon
    • Madame Cavalli
    • (as Yelena Zignon)
    Garry McDonald
    Garry McDonald
    • Lou
    Judy Morris
    Judy Morris
    • Miss Lockhart
    Jeanie Drynan
    Jeanie Drynan
    • Mrs. Duncan
    Don Crosby
    • Major Lockhart
    Delore Whiteman
    • Mrs. Summers
    • (as Dolore Whiteman)
    Gerry Duggan
    • Hall Secretary
    Tony Barry
    Tony Barry
    • Policeman
    Ernie Bourne
    • Bookmaker
    • Director
      • John Power
    • Writers
      • Joan Long
      • Lyle Penn
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Last cinema film of Patrick Cargill.
    • Quotes

      Maurice 'Pop' Pym: My name is Pym. This is Freddie Graves. We're in moving pictures.

      Fitzwilliam: Fitzwilliam. My partner Madam Cavalli. We're in debt.

      [laughs]

    • Connections
      Featured in Rod Taylor: Return to Oz (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      Tap Tap On My Window
      Performed by John Meillon

    User reviews5

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    A bittersweet story of Australia's early film history
    Few are better qualified than Joan Long to tell this, a story of the trials and tribulation of early Australian cinema. A renown film historian, she based the film on the recollections of real-life picture show man Lyle Penn, but also draws on the rich knowledge of the era she gained by rediscovering and interviewing many of its leading players.

    Travelling picture showmen were once common in Australia. Living out of caravans or even tents, they serviced the rural areas that did not yet have their own permanent cinemas, often providing variety acts as part of the show.

    The film's tone is somewhat reminiscent of these early films. The story is delineated (and performed) in the same broad strokes as every Australian classic from 'Dad and Dave' to 'The Castle'. All the usual characters are present - the uneasy young man, the eager young tomboy who can't bear to act like a proper young lady, the shifty villian. Yet the simple, enjoyable story is studded with authentic period details such as how films were presented to country audiences, and ultimately the effect that the coming of sound had on the phenomenon of the travelling showman.

    Garry McDonald's performance as an opportunistic, shambolic pianist, is probably the most enjoyable, yet fans of `Muriel's Wedding' would do well to look out for an early appearance from Jeannie Drynan, who played Muriel's mother - and, as can be seen here, could once have given Audrey Hepburn a run for her money.

    Though very much a product of its time, the film is still a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to Australia's rich film history - a fascinating story which, without scholars such as Long, might have disappeared forever.
    helpful•29
    0
    • SilentType
    • Jul 29, 2002

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 5, 1977 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Picture Show Man
    • Filming locations
      • Australia
    • Production companies
      • Limelight Productions (II)
      • The Australian Film Commission
      • The New South Wales Government
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • A$600,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Rod Taylor, Sally Conabere, John Ewart, Harold Hopkins, Garry McDonald, John Meillon, and Judy Morris in The Picture Show Man (1977)
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