Judith Fisher Movies
- 1986
Australian Allan Penney must not only endure the encroaching exigencies of old age, but also the indignities perpetrated by his unfeeling wife Diana Davidson and his bragadoccio ex-business partner Rob Steele. Davidson bundles Penney off to a nursing home while she embarks on an around-the-world tour. Hoping to ferret out Penney's secret bank account, his avaricious sons Philip Quast and Kelly Dingwell bring the doddering, all-but-blind old man home, feign concern for his well-being, and stage a "world cruise" in Penney's backyard! Their charade extends to a shopping mall, which stands in as both an airport and Las Vegas. Though in the early stages of senility, Penney eventually figures out he's being hoodwinked, but decides to keep mum, seeing just how far his sons are willing to go for his "benefit." Entering into the spirit of things, he demands geisha girls upon "arriving" in Japan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Philip Quast, Allan Penney, (more)
- 1979
Australia was a powerhouse in world swimming competitions long before the U.S.'s Mark Spitz was a gleam in his father's eye. Foremost among these sports heroes was high-spirited Dawn Fraser, who won four gold medals at three Olympics (1956, '60 and '64). This clear-sighted biographical drama explores Fraser's life before, during and just after her competitive years. Fraser was forever getting herself into trouble, and she consistently rebelled against authority. Among the many dramatic events which marked her career, she was banned from Australian swimming for 10 years after stealing a flag during the Tokyo ('64) Olympics. The movie underscores her strong family ties and her attachment to Balmain, the working-class suburb of Sydney she grew up in, which makes her later career as a Member of Parliament for the area easier to understand. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bronwyn MacKay-Payne, John Diedrich, (more)
Dennis Hopper plays the title character in this true story of a 19th-century Australian gold-digger who is pressed into a life of crime. A six-year stint in jail doesn't provide reform, but does introduce him to an Aboriginal partner-in-crime (David Gulpilil). The duo then proceed to terrorize the province of New South Wales with no lack of violence. The TV version was retitled Mad Dog. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Hopper, Jack Thompson, (more)
- 1969
This feature is taken from a popular Australian television series and the novel by John Cleary. Frankie McCoy (Ken Shorter) is a cynical bookie, in a rundown bar in Sydney, who is summoned for military service. After a barroom brawl, he goes AWOL from the service and takes an apartment above the bar to resume his bookmaking operation. He has eyes for the barmaid Margie (Rowena Wallace), an old-fashioned girl who wants a traditional marriage before she lets Frankie have his way with her. Margie breaks up with him until he promises to return to the army. After he pays off too many bets, he steals some money from a butcher shop and goes on a drinking binge. He spends the night soothing the loneliness of Myra (Carmen Duncan), the pill-headed floozie who can't believe she was involved with a married man. Frankie gives her the rest of his money the next day in a gesture of who knows what. Myra charges some new clothes but hasn't spent the money when a panic-stricken Frankie bursts in wanting the money. The cops have the numbers on the stolen loot, and tragedy ensues as Myra and Frankie fight over the money. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Shorter, Rowena Wallace, (more)
