XMAS BOOKS 8

A long time between drinks, but I'm back to remind you it's Christmas time again and my amateur sleuth, Belinda Lawrence reminds me that her adventures make ideal gifts, as well as perfect holiday reading.  Merry Christmas to All...

Books to Kill for🗡

AMAZON LINKS: viewauthor.at/BrianKavanaghClassic

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Brian+Kavanagh

Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/yat735hs

AUTHOR: http://beekayvic.tripod.com

 

In1980 I produced an Australian feature film, MAYBE THIS TIME from an award winning script by Anne Brooksbank and Bob Ellis. It has been called a flop by various film sites and appeared to sink without a trace. But there is more to the story than that.

Christmas 1979 while at Colorfilm Laboratories annual party, I was approached by filmmaker Michael Thornhill and asked would I be interested in producing a film; the title was Letters To A Friend. Interested, I followed up the suggestion and read the script which I liked very much. I knew Anne and had worked with her previously during the early days of the South Australian Film Corporation where I produced two pilot episodes for a children’s TV series, Stacey’s Gym.

The New South Wales Film Corporation had in production a number of low budget feature films, including  STIR, THE JOURNALIST. My film had a title change to become MAYBE THIS TIME.  Starting on production I had a budget limited to $460,000. The director was already attached to the project, as were actors Bill Hunter, Ken Shorter, and Director of Photography, Russell Boyd. I read recently the project had been turned down by various producers, but at that time I was unaware of it. The female lead had not been cast and it was my choice to offer the role to Judy Morris, whose work I knew and admired. Fortunately, Judy agreed. I also cast Jill Perryman as the mother. The director and I searched for the leading man. It has been claimed Jack Thompson was approached, but I knew at the time Jack was not available and we finally offered the role to Mike Preston, after seeing him in The Last of The Knucklemen. The remaining cast were chosen by the Director.

The film was completed with Editor Wayne Close and composer Bruce Smeaton.

The project was partly financed by NSWFC and a local distributor, but midway through production the distributor withdrew funds, meaning the NSWFC picked up the complete tag.

The film was completed without a distributor which meant the Corporation had full control of the film and distribution.

There was a four week screening at the Longford Cinema in Melbourne with extremely good Box Office returns.  

Soon after, I was summonsed to the Corporation’s offices to be told they were withdrawing the film from any distribution and not spending any more on it.

The Australian Film Institute annual awards were upon us, and MAYBE THIS TIME received six nominations including Best Film and Best Actress, Three Supporting Actresses, and Music. That was the year that BREAKER MORANT won most awards, deservedly so (thirteen Nominations, Ten Wins). MTT won Best Supporting Actress for Jill Perryman. The script also won the Australian Writer’s Guild award for Best Script of that year.

Enjoy the Video Trailer.

Shortly after, I was advised that the NSWFC had entered into an agreement with the Pepper Distribution Inc for a package of Australian films, including MTT, giving the rights to all films in perpetuity. There was an enquiry some time later.

“The ICAC investigated the terms and conditions of marketing agreements entered into between the New South Wales Film Corporation and an American distribution company, Pepper Distribution Inc.

Issues canvassed in the investigation included the Corporation's failure to consult those who made the films about the terms on which they were licensed to Pepper and the employment of a former public official with a company with which that person had considerable dealings in his former role.”

Soon after, the NSWFC was disbanded  and a new State Film body formed. They subsequently, many years later, were able to have the films returned, and the rights to the film assigned to me as Producer.

I hope that clears up any misunderstanding as to why the film wasn’t successful. It was never given the chance.

However, the film is now available on DVD and ON DEMAND.

DVD

https://www.umbrellaent.com.au/movies/4696-maybe-this-time-1981.html?#search_query=maybe+this+time&results=5

ON DEMAND

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/maybethistime1981/363706413

I think it is a fine film with a great cast and deserves viewing. Subject matter is as valid now as it was then. The short pitch in the Cinema Papers' production survey, Feb/March 1980 ran: The focus is on a modern woman turning 30. Overall the film concerns, hopefully and humorously, the rising cost of emotional freedom in modern times, and the mixed bag of qualities that go to make up the Australian male.

Please let me know if you view the film and your reaction to it. Happy viewing,

Brian Kavanagh

https://filmmaker2.webs.com

 

It's been a long time between drinks and for my New Year 2021 project I revisit a novel I began writing some years ago. My Belinda Lawrence murder mysteries took precedence, but now I plan to have the new work published later this year. 

Titled THE PASSING BELL, it relates to a sister and her brother meeting again after years apart, reviewing their  independent lives, assessing each other, and coming to terms with their mortality.

I'll update as the work progresses.

Keep safe....BK