Very few films were made in Australia in the 1950s - this was one of them, and it doesn't enjoy much of a reputation, even among Aussie film buffs. But I was surprised - it's definitely no classic, and I doubt I'd ever want to pay money to see it, but it's a sweet little movie.
Its about the early years in the life of Eileen Joyce, little remembered today but in the 30s, 40s and 50s one of the most famous pianists in the world, and she was an Aussie. Apparently the film is heavily fictionalised, although she was definitely poor as a kid.
What's here is entertaining enough in an ambling way - little Eileen is living in rural Tasmania when she discovers music via the harmonica of a passing swagman. When she visits Hobart she sees a piano for the first time and becomes hooked. Then her family move to Kalgoorlie where dad (Nigel Lovell) has rotten luck on the goldfields but Eileen manages to find a way to practice the piano and becomes very good. It's cute how the miners chip in to hep and the neighbours grumble about her but support her.
Suzanne Parrett is winning as the young Eileen, running around barefoot and getting into adventures. She doesn't come across as a genius but she's got a lot of spunk. I also enjoyed Tommy Drysdale as her brother. Both have natural chemistry and presence. Nigel Lovell and Muriel Steinbeck offer solid support as mum and dad. George Wallace has a small role as the manager of a talent competition - it was a shock to see him, he looks so old and fat. Joyce appears at herself at the beginning and ending.
This is definitely no classic but it's got good child actors, location filming of Tasmania and Western Australia, plenty of music and a good heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment