Charming 50s film about the adventures of a mischievous Australian boy in a country town – one of those films where adults are always impressed by kid’s shenanigans (“Oh Smiley, you little scamp, what will you do next” etc). Although a British-American co-production, the filmmakers went to real effort to get the local detail right. Here we have authentic bush locations, and a cast full of local actors in roles – Chips Rafferty, Charles Tingwell, John McCallum, Guy Doleman, with the title role played by a very likeable Colin Petersen (who later became a drummer for the Bee Gees).
The less attractive side of Australian country life is not shied away from: the aboriginal community has been shunted off to an out-of-bounds camp, Smiley’s dad is an alcoholic, the local pub is the source of a drug ring. A big success and followed by a sequel, Smiley Gets a Gun.
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