Cinema
The Picture Show Man
John Power · 1977
Synopsis
In the twenties, in the last days of silent film, Maurice Pym takes a horse-drawn travelling cinema through the countryside of New South Wales. His son Larry runs the projector, and a piano tuner, Freddie Graves, joins them along the way to accompany the films. Pym has to contend with his son's rebellion and with Palmer, an American exhibitor and his former protégé, who comes to compete with him for the territory.
Context
The screenplay, written and produced by Joan Long, draws on the unpublished memoirs of Lyle Penn, who had spent his youth on the road with his father's travelling cinema; Long, who did not want to direct the film, entrusted it to a television man. Shooting took place around Tamworth from 17 October to 4 December 1976. Financed by the Australian Film Commission, the state government, the Women's Film Fund and private investors for about 600,000 dollars, the film was released on 5 May 1977 and took 566,014 in Australia.
Who it is for
A comedy in Australian English, light by design according to Australian Screen, which accurately reconstructs silent-era film screenings.
Prizes and reception
Awards for production design, costumes and best supporting actor, for Rod Taylor, at the Australian Film Awards.