I realise I’ve been remiss in not pointing you to the ABC
over these past few weeks. Staying away from their news and
current affairs divisions, they have been presenting Australian
viewers with a wide choice of entertainment and documentary gems.
It’s funny in a way; even though their budgets have been
hacked to death, they are the only network who seems to be
wanting to offer a wide variety of Australian grown shows;
sitcoms, documentaries, information and dramas. Also, their
imports from the U.K. seem to get better and better. Case in
point is the excellent mini-series based on the novel by Minette
Walters and written by Reg Gadney, “The Sculptress”.
It’s first episode premiered last Sunday and episode two
will be shown this Sunday at 8:30pm. It is being presented in
four-parts and shouldn’t be missed for its excellent cast
headed by Pauline Quirk as convicted murderess Olive Martin,
Michael Percival as Olive’s solicitor, Mr Crew, Caroline
Goodall as author Rosalind Leigh and Christopher Fulford as Hal,
the ex-policeman who found the dismembered bodies of Olive’s
mother and sister. This series has more twists and turns than a
roller-coaster.
For you art lovers, the BBC TV’s acclaimed series of
“A History of British Art” presents its fourth episode
on Sunday evening at 9:25pm, “Modern Art.” Presenter
Andrew Graham-Dixon asserts that modern painting did not
originate in France but rather in London in the first half of the
nineteenth century. If this is your thing, then don’t miss
this award winning series.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that
“Heartbreak High” continues its wonderful run at 6:00pm
every Monday through Thursday. The shows keep getting better and
better and we have the ABC to thank for ensuring this Australian
show keeps going. Executive Producer and creator of the series,
Ben Gannon is to be congratulated and is reaping his financial
rewards as the show is seen in 70 countries around the world.
Keeping with our current headlines, the documentary
“Lousy Little Sixpence” is a very strong and compelling
film that examines the ‘stolen children’ generation.
“Lousy Little Sixpence” follows the lives of Aborigines
who lived through the 1909 New South Wales Protection Board plans
to break up Aboriginal communities by forcibly removing children
and hiring them out as servants to white ‘masters’. The
title of the film comes from the wages that were paid to these
children, many of whom never even saw their “lousy little
sixpence”. If you have the time, see this film and
understand what all the fuss is about.
Two movies to see this week are; “Conspiracy Of
Hearts” which is screening on Wednesday July 9th at 11:10pm
and “My Own Private Idaho”, the Friday Night Movie
Special showing at 9:30pm on July 11th. “Conspiracy Of
Hearts” is part of John Hinde’s presentation of movies
dedicated to bravery triumphing over natural and man-made
obstacles. This 1961 drama is about a convent of nuns in Italy
who shelter Jewish children from the Nazis during World War Two.
Lilli Palmer, Sylvia Syms, Yvonne Mitchell and Ronald Lewis head
the fine cast. “My Own Private Idaho” boasts River
Phoenix and Keanu Reeves who head the cast of this modern cult
classic. The New York Magazine said it was “a tenderly
comical and beautiful piece of work” and “The best
American movie of the Nineties” was what Film Comment said
when it was released. But film critic Leonard Maltin said it all
with his “cult status is assured” statement after
reviewing the film. The Gus Van Sant (“Drugstore
Cowboy”) film which he wrote, directed and produced is a
dark comic story about the search for home and family. If
you’re not home on Friday night, set the VCR and then sit
back and enjoy this wonderful film.
Preceding “My Own Private Idaho” is the sensational
“AC/DC No Bull” concert filmed at the Plaza de Toros in
Madrid. The concert was filmed live on Super 16mm by the best
collection of camera men in the world. Brian Johnson struts
across the stage in an electric performance. So you AC/DC fans,
sit back and enjoy.
Of course the wonderful series of “Dancing In The
Street” continues on Saturday nights at 11:30pm with the
Chicago Blues being the focal point for the birth of The Animals
and The Rolling Stones. Interviews in this week’s instalment
include Jeff Beck, Eric Burdon, Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker,
Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman and John Mayall.
