Summary
Bungala Boys is a 1961 children's film directed and written by Jim Jeffrey.[1] It was the second Australian based film made by the Children's Film Foundation, following Bush Christmas and was the first non-documentary film to focus on surf clubs.[2]
| Bungala Boys | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Jim Jeffrey |
| Written by | Jim Jeffrey |
| Based on | novel The New Surf Club by Claire Meillon |
| Produced by | Otto Plaschkes |
| Starring | Peter Couldwell |
| Cinematography | Carl Kayser |
| Edited by | Terry Trench |
| Music by | Edwin Astley |
Production companies |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 61 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
Plot edit
Brian is a newcomer to Bungala Beach, near Sydney. He forms a new Surf Life Saving Club which wins first prize in a surf boat race.
Cast edit
- Peter Couldwell – Tony Wakeford
- Alan Dearth – Brian Wakeford
- Terry Bentley – Normie
- Julie Youatt – Nancy Phelan
- Ross Vidal – Timmy
- Geoffrey Parsons – Buzz
- Jon Dennis as Hatch
- Max Osbiston as Reg Phelan
- Leonard Teale as Sam Taylor
- John Sherwood
- Margaret Roberts
- Jack Amistead
- Betty Dyson
Production edit
The film was based on Claire Meillon's children's novel The New Surf Club (1959). Meillon was formerly assistant fiction editor of The Australian Women's Weekly. The book was based on her brother's founding of Newport Surf Club, on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The name "Bungala" is a combination of "Bilgola" and "Bungan",[3] which are also northern beaches of Sydney, and located near Newport Beach.
Jimar Productions made the film at the request of the Children's Film Foundation.[2]
The film was shot on location at Bungan Beach and at Artransa Studios in Sydney in April–May 1961. Many of the child stars had never acted before.[2]
The actors were given brief training in surf lifesaving.[4]
Release edit
The film was released in the United Kingdom, Canada and Europe before Australia.[5]
References edit
- ^ "Bungala Boys (1961)". Archived from the original on 19 October 2016.
- ^ a b c "Young stars shine in surf club film". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 28 June 1961. p. 69 Supplement: Teenagers' Weekly. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ^ "Surf Club Movie". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 April 1964. p. 33.
- ^ "AT 20 THE STAGE IS HIS WORLD". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 3 January 1962. p. 29 Supplement: Teenagers' Weekly. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ^ "Worth Reporting". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 31 January 1962. p. 42. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
External links edit
- Bungala Boys at IMDb
- Film page at AustLit
- Bungala Boys at BFI
- Bungala Boys at Letterbox DVD
- Bungala Boys at Oz Movies
