Bush Christmas in Spring Street - review of Funny Things Happen Down Under
WITH school holidays at hand, priority goes to the youngest set. And, while nobody would claim Funny Things Happen Down Under as a children’s masterpiece, this little Australian color musical (screening from tomorrow at the Princess theatre) makes generally delightful entertainment for them.
The work of director Joe McCormick and producer cameraman Roger Mirams from the simplest script by the late John Sherman, Funny Things is just an extension of the company’s Terrible Ten and Magic Boomerang TV series in bright bush Eastmancolor.
An ingenuous joke of a plot tells of a scheme by the youngsters of Wallaby Creek to save their club by bargaining with three mean Melbourne koolbrokers and a Canberra MP (willingly caricatured Frank Rich, Bill Hodge, &c.) over a special potion for growing sheep with multi-colored wool.
Appropriately set at Christmas time, by being edited at a rattling pace and crammed with characters as Orstrylian as billy tea and damper, the picture moves along briskly, full of good cheer and Juvenile nonsense, horses, sunny Woodend and attractive scenery youngsters.
The Terrible Ten actors are lively and by now асcomplished. Any inadequacies are quickly disguised by the editor.
Some teenage interest and a tiny hint of romance are added by including the photogenic Sue Haworth and Olivia Newton-John, Ian Turpie and that natural NZ personality Howard Morrison to sing the songs.
The Pacific team injects its usual touch of fantasy, sense of adventure, and discreetly a lesson or two in youthful initiative.
Horrie Dargie’s quintet contributes a jolly version of “Click Go The Shears.” Ian Turpie has a romantic ballad and Howard Morrison a Maori number. But it is Vern Moore’s catchy “Christmas Time Down Under.” sung by Miss Newton-John, that steals the soundtrack.
A shearing contest doesn’t quite produce the exciting climax one expects and, technically, the picture is surprisingly short on close-ups, considering its makers’ TV experience.
Otherwise, no complaints.
In support are other locally-made children’s films. Pacific’s in enterprise launching this programme deserves the encouragement and support of parents. No sacrifice is involved for the youngsters should love it.