Bert Newton Movies
- 2003
- R
A bumbling group of jewel thieves become the hottest thing since The Wiggles after dressing up like a children's singing group in order to snatch a priceless necklace. Danny (Nick Giannopoulos) isn't much of an entertainer, so when Marcus (Russell Dykstra) tries to recruit him to lift a necklace from wealthy Aurora Van Dyke (Lena Cruz) he senses an opportunity for some quick cash. Aurora has scheduled a birthday party for her child, and the best-loved children's performers from miles around are coming in for the big event. When the heist hits a hitch and the robbers ditch the necklace to make a daring escape, they thought their ordeal was over. Little did they realize that their group, The Wannabes, made quite an impression at the party, and they've since developed a nation wide following. Now, as Aurora attempts to prove that it was they who tried to swipe her necklace, Marcus does his best to win the heart of Kristy (Isla Fischer), the head criminal ringleader's sister. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nick Giannopoulos, Russell Dykstra, (more)
- 1981
This is the sort of comedy which the media tags with the label "high-concept." That means that the gimmick the movie hangs on is more important than the story, etc. In this case, the filmmakers are spoofing hospital soap operas, and the gimmick is that children are playing the authority figures (doctors and nurses), while adults are the helpless and victimized patients. Even high-concept notions sometimes succeed, but in this instance the concept is not treated with any particular integrity, and confusion about child/adult roles reigns supreme. Despite its flaws, reviewers found that this comedy contains a number of good and funny scenes spread (if rather too thinly) throughout. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rebecca Rigg, Miguel Lopez, (more)
- 1980
Although it is sometimes billed as an animated feature, this children's story is an entirely live-action film, filled with wacky and silly-looking adults for the amusement of the youngsters. It is, however, based on Fatty Finn, a cartoon-strip character popular in 1930s Australia. Set in the earlier part of the century, the story concerns Fatty, a freckled youngster living in a pleasant suburb who feels the need to cut up a bit just to prove himself, and though he ruffles a lot of feathers, the fact that he is basically a good kid eventually settles them down again. The funny-looking paterfamilias, John Finn, is played by the beloved Australian national treasure Bert Newton. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Oxenbould, Bert Newton, (more)
