Australia in the early 20th century. Crafty and rascally master showman Maurice "Pop" Pym (an excellent and engaging performance by John Mellion) loves cinema so much that he decides to travel from town to town showing his collection of silent movies to the paying public. Pym not only faces opposition from ambitious and unscrupulous American rival Palmer (superbly played with smooth assurance by Rod Taylor), but also has to contend with an array of mishaps that beset him on his journey across the country.
Director John Power offers a flavorful evocation of the period, keeps the enjoyable and episodic story moving along at a steady pace, and maintains a pleasant tone throughout. Joan Long's sharp script draws the colorful characters with considerable warmth and depth as well as delivers a well balanced proportion of amusing humor and touching drama. Moreover, it's acted with real gusto from an enthusiastic cast, with especially praiseworthy contributions from John Ewart as hale'n'hearty pianist Freddie, Harold Hopkins as Pym's resourceful projection son Larry, Sally Conabere as the sweet Lucy, Garry McDonald as the weaselly Lou, and Jelena Zigon as sultry gypsy fortune teller Madame Cavalli. Peter Brest's handsome cinematography makes the most out of the picturesque outback locations. Geoff Burton's jubilant and harmonic score does the toe-tapping trick. A charming delight.
Director John Power offers a flavorful evocation of the period, keeps the enjoyable and episodic story moving along at a steady pace, and maintains a pleasant tone throughout. Joan Long's sharp script draws the colorful characters with considerable warmth and depth as well as delivers a well balanced proportion of amusing humor and touching drama. Moreover, it's acted with real gusto from an enthusiastic cast, with especially praiseworthy contributions from John Ewart as hale'n'hearty pianist Freddie, Harold Hopkins as Pym's resourceful projection son Larry, Sally Conabere as the sweet Lucy, Garry McDonald as the weaselly Lou, and Jelena Zigon as sultry gypsy fortune teller Madame Cavalli. Peter Brest's handsome cinematography makes the most out of the picturesque outback locations. Geoff Burton's jubilant and harmonic score does the toe-tapping trick. A charming delight.