The Cast

	Mick Molloy Bill Hunter Frank Wilson Monica Maughan John Clarke Samuel Johnson Judith Lucy Lois Ramsey Cliff Ellen Esme Melville Peter Aanensen Bob Hornery John Flaus	... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...		Jack Simpson Stan Len Eileen Bernie Dave Nance Gwen Norm Mrs Jenkins Edgar Ron Cliff

Insight For many who see "Crackerjack" it will be like re-living the past. The reason? A gaggle of characters who many of us grew up with. People like Frank Wilson, Bill Hunter, Lois Ramsey, Monica Maughan and John Clarke were household names for many decades. Add to this comedians Judy Lucy and Mick Molloy and I think you get my drift. With so many older stars from the great days of television in the cast it really is a nostalgic look. That look is made all the better by the delightful Mrs Jenkins [Esme Melville]. The Veterans Bill Hunter is an 'icon' of both television and screen with 40 years in the industry and over 61 films to his credit including "Gallipoli", "Muriel's Wedding" and "Priscilla Queen of the Desert". When he was offered the part of Stan he jumped at the chance to work with Mick Molloy. "When I read the script, I was vastly amused by it," he said. "On the face of it, it was a pretty straight forward script but when you consider its origins and cast I thought oh yeh this is going to be off the wall and sure enough it proved to be so."
Frank Wilson is 78 years old and has a career going way back to the days of the Tivoli in 1948. His face is familiar from by gone greats on the television such as "Cop Shop", "Division 4", the long running ABC "Bellbird", "Bluey", "The Sullivans", "Carsons Law" and another great production, "Country Practice". Did you know though that Frank worked with the great Charlie Chaplin and Lauren Bacall? He sure did! Frank described Chaplin as "a lovely bloke". His film credits include "The Club", "Riddle of the Stinson" and "Breaker Morant".
John Clarke is best remembered for those halcien days of A Current Affair in a regular Friday night comedy spot which provided a unique look at aussie politicians. Prior to the Sydney Olympics he appeared in the television series "The Games". He also appeared in the film "A Death In Brunswick".
Lois Ramsey is one of this countries most experienced and versatile actors with a career spanning 60 years. Her career started at the age of 18 working in musical theatre and she continued to work amateur theatres till she was 35 years old. She is a much loved icon from such television shows as "The Mavis Brampton Show", "Homicide", "The Box" and the long running "The Sullivans". Still performing on "the box", Lois has made appearances in the new generational shows such as "Water Rats", "All Saints", "Home & Away" and "Always Greener. When asked about her favourite pieces over the year she quickly notes that "Harp in the South" and "The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll".
Esme Melville is 83 years old and believe it or not, is still doing her own stunt work. Her career started out in musical theatre in Adelaide just before WW2 broke out. That brought a close to the theatre. At 18 years of age she decided to make the move to Melbourne because as she says, "There were more theatre opportunities there." After just 8 years at St Martins Theatre it was suggested she might try her luck at television. She started with the Crawford group, a television production company that went on to set world bench-marks with a long, long list of hit television productions. Esme starred in "Consider Your Verdict", Homicide", "Matlock Police" and "Division 4". Later she worked with Grundy productions on "Neighbours". More recently Esme has been seen on "Backberner", "Stingers" and "Seachange". Her film credits include "Sunset Siam", "Alvin Purple Rides Again", "Stork", "Squizzy" and "Dalkeith". The Youngsters Mick Molloy is a well known face and one of this countries best known writer-comedians. He rose to prominence thanks to the television show "The D-Generation as both a writer and performer on the show during 1992 & 1993. Late in 1993 he was appeared on "The Late Show". From 1995 to 1998 he was part of the syndicated radio show Martin and Molloy which was heard on some 54 stations around the country. Crackerjack is Mick's first feature film.
Samuel Johnson is a well-known face thanks to a long list of film, stage and television credits. His appearance in the hit series "The Secret Life of Us" has made him a household name. Just one week before Sam auditioned for the part he went and joined the local St Kilda Bowls Club. It seems fate had a hand in things. Imagine the shock when first, he received a call to audition for Crackerjack and second, the producers found out about his keen interest in Pennant Bowls. But back to the television. In 1999 he was nominated for an AFI award after appearing in "Wildside". Later he would win an AFI award for Best Actor in a Lead Role in a TV Drama Series, The show was of course "The Secret Life of Us". Sam has been seen in "Stingers", "Good Guys Bad Guys", "Thunderstone" and "Stingers". His film credits include "Strange Fits of Passion", "Taken" and "Angel Baby". In "Crackerjack" he plays Jack Simpson's room-mate Dave.
Judith Lucey makes her film debut in "Crackerjack". Early in her career Judith aspired to be an actress. She spent two years studying for her BA, majoring in Theatre Arts before as she puts it some "very tragic productions" put an end to that. She became a standup performer. Judith has completed major national tours and has appeared at the famed Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her television appearance have been numerous including "Denton", "Super Debate", "The Big Gig" and "The Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala". On radio she performed with Martin - Molloy and Wendy Harmer. Appearing in "Crackerjack" as Jack's love interest gave her the opportunity to work with her old friend of 11 years, Mick Molloy. The Story Jack Simpson [Mick Molloy] thinks he has it made. Thanks to a membership at the local Cityside Bowls Club Jack has a permanent parking spot right across the road from where he works as a tele-marketer. All this is about to change. It seems that the old bowls club is in dire straights, in need of a financial injection. They also need another member to make up a fours team so they can enter the annual bowls competition with its rich prize list. Jack is very reluctant, but he doesn't want to give up that parking spot. He will soon discover that being a member of the bowls club isn't all that bad. Or is it? The Verdict "A real aussie charmer. "Crackerjack" is one of those smart comedies which demands little from the audience other than they enjoy each and every one of the light-hearted, magical moments it presents. A little beauty!" The Production Team

Directed by Paul Moloney Written by Mick & Richard Molloy Produced by Mick Molloy & Stephen Luby Director of Photography Brent Crockett Production Design by Penny Southgate Costume Design by Original Music on BMG Records Film Editing by Ken Sallows Run Time minutes Rated MA15+ [AUST]

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