Judith Stratford Movies
- 1990
Ollie Rennie (Garry McDonald) really has no business running a caretaking institution of any kind, much less one for the mentally handicapped; he's an alcoholic, has no respect for other people, and persistently tries to put the make on an unwilling social worker. All the same, he runs an institution of just that kind, with the unappealing name of "Saltmarsh." Things at the school get considerably livelier when a new man comes onto the scene. Pat (Brian Vriends) was doing just fine as a physical education instructor at a school for "normal" kids, but one day he went on a rampage against junk food, destroying the school snack bar in the process, and was quickly fired. Despite his recent reversal, he is upbeat about his new job. He decides to engage these hopelessly uncoordinated kids in soccer matches. They compete against themselves and against regular kids. Needless to say, they lose against the regular kids, but one day one of their number actually manages to score against one of them, and there are celebrations all round. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Garry McDonald, Catherine McClements, (more)
- 1987
In this docudrama, a couple going through an acrimonious divorce after twelve years of marriage are going through custody hearings in Australia's Family Law Courts. All the officials and judges play themselves, but the family members are actors. Things grow especially heated when the husband, who has been kicked out of home because his wife wants to start seeing other men, discovers that his son has been getting into trouble for stealing and hasn't been attending school regularly. When the judge finally announces his decision, its awkwardness, fairness and appropriateness are reportedly quite startling -- making clear the reasons for a rash of Family Court judge slayings that took place around the time this film was made. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judith Stratford, Peter Browne, (more)
In this hilarious, award-winning comedy, Malcolm (Colin Friels) is an innocent, naive mechanical genius with a distinct gap where sexual and social awareness normally reside. He first gets into trouble when he builds his version of a streetcar and then takes it on a joyride through Melbourne -- a definite no-no. That exploit costs him his job as a maintenance man for the streetcar company. Out of work, Malcolm is forced to take in two boarders who are actually a con man and his female companion. The con artist is intrigued by all of Malcolm's mechanical inventions, and cash registers are clicking at the back of his mind. It does not take him long to convince Malcolm to join them in robbing a bank -- which turns out to be even more adventurous than the streetcar ride through Melbourne. Director Nadia Tass and her husband, co-producer, scripter and cinematographer David Parker followed up with an enjoyable and funny Rikky and Pete. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colin Friels, John Hargreaves, (more)
