Peter Gwynne Movies

Director Alec Morgan fuses elements of documentary and dramatic biography in this tribute to a wily pioneer of the Australian cinema. In the 1930's, as Australia was locked in an economic depression, the nation's film industry was on the verge of collapse as American interests purchased most major theater chains and bought out independent producers. However, Rupert Kathner was a passionate believer in the notion of Australian movies for Australians, and he was determined to make films for the home audience. Kathner, however, had little skill as a filmmaker, and his criminal record as a confidence man made it difficult to obtain financing through normal channels. Kathner wasn't about to let such things stop him, though; with his longtime girlfriend and cinematographer Alma Brooks, Kathner chased down "angels" (his name for investors) with grand tales of his future productions, and he wasn't above writing a bad check to keep his show on the road, or firing an actor foolish enough to insist on being paid. While Kathner made as many enemies as friends and earned little if any critical respect for his low-budget potboilers, he managed to write, produce and direct a handful of independent features in Australia before his death in 1954. Hunt Angels combines vintage footage of Kathner at work, rare still photos, and interviews featuring his friends and associates alongside staged sequences featuring Ben Mendelsohn as Kathner and Victoria Hill as Brooks. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A rainmaker leads the village children in a Pied Piper fashion after the villagers refuse to pay him for his services. ~ Rovi

Made for Australian television, The Puzzle stars James Franciscus as an ex-tennis pro, turned adventurer with an archeological bent (we'd say "shades of Indiana Jones " except that this film was completed three years before Raiders of the Lost Ark). Right now, Franciscus in on the trail of an urn which purportedly contains the ashes of Buddha. The title refers to a series of cryptic clues leading to the urn's excavation. There are those who'd do anything to get their hands on that urn, as Franciscus soon discovers the hard way. The plot is thickened by the presence of an ex-wife and a desperate embezzler. Wendy Hughes and Robert Helpmann costar in this fast-paced meller. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this lively sports drama, Jeff Rayburn has no direction in his life since he competed in the Olympic games as a swimmer. The American had been simply bumming around Australia until he teamed up with biker Dave Ferguson and began sidecar racing. When not involved in racing, the two tussle for the love of the wealthy heiress Lynn Carson. While Ferguson is a nice fellow, he is notorious for taking risks that endanger the lives of his partners. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this drama, a pub owner who lives in the Australian outback stakes a claim to an area where nickel is found. An American company buys her out on the condition that she not sell her shares in the company for a year, giving the company head a chance to make false reports and overvalue the company's shares. The pub owner lives it up with a gigolo for a while before settling down with a long-time admirer. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi