Starlight Hotel (1987)

It is Depression era New Zealand and school-kid Kate is missing her father badly. The temptation to seek him out leads her into diverse and intense encounters with fate.

Director:

Sam Pillsbury

Writers:

Grant Hindin-Miller (novel), Grant Hindin-Miller (screenplay)

Stars:

Greer Robson-Kirk, Peter Phelps, Bruce Phillips

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greer Robson-Kirk	...	Kate (as Greer Robson)
Bruce Phillips	...	Kate's Father
Alice Fraser	...	Aunt
Patrick Smyth	...	Uncle
The Wizard of New Zealand	...	Swaggie (as The Wizard)
John Watson	...	School Teacher
Robin Harris	...	Minister
Vanessa Young	...	Schoolgirl #1
Teresa Bonney	...	Schoolgirl #2
Duncan Anderson	...	Railway Foreman
Russell Gibson	...	Railway Worker
Marshall Napier	...	Det. Wallace
Norman Forsey	...	Farmer
Craig Halkett	...	Farmer's Son
Peter Phelps	...	Patrick

Storyline

It is Depression era New Zealand and school-kid Kate is missing her father badly. The temptation to seek him out leads her into diverse and intense encounters with fate.

---

Plot Keywords:

new zealand | world war one veteran | wellington | uncle niece relationship | train | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Csillagfény Hotel

Filming Locations:

Oamaru, New Zealand

Company Credits

Production Co:

Challenge Film Corporation, New Zealand Film Commission

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Patrick's nickname for Kate is Rat Bag.

---

Quotes

Kate: I want to get out of this place.
The Wizard: Well who's stopping you? You crippled or something?
Kate: I'm just a kid.
The Wizard: When Alexander the Great was just a kid he conquered half the world. But he was a boy. If you want to something, do it.

---

Connections

References The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)

User Reviews

An absolute delight.

I have watched this film many, many times. Kate, a young girl watches as her father leaves to find work. She has no mother, she is sad. She is late for school and made to stand in class, then picked on by others during the break. Whereupon he decides to runaway.

Earlier she had met a swagman who tells her if you want to do something, do it. This man later crops up as various times during the film. He exudes benevolence. Then Kate meets Patrick, who is clearly on the run. At first he does not even realise she is a girl. Rather reluctantly, certainly on his part, they link up. She is a nuisance he could do without. There are times they are going to go their separate ways, but cannot. On one occasion, Patrick rushes after her when he fears she is being picked up by a stranger ; another time she saves him being beaten up. They relationship becomes close.

Clearly their relationship is going to be very important to both of them for the rest of their lives. They will never forget. This film is real, not sentimental. The two central actors work wonderfully well together, and are very sympathetic characters. They both deliver the goods magnificently . The director is clearly on the side of the under-dog. Those in authority do not come out of it very well. And that includes a man who is trying to start a riot.

The scenery, the light, is amazing. I cannot fault this fault. This is one of my favourite films. If you have not seen it, give it a try. It is moving, but also have much humour. At one point they are rowing, then Patrick literally falls in the mire, then gets covered in feathers. They then both laugh. Such is their relationship.

A real delight.