Molloy reflects on Crackerjack
Comedian Mick Molloy says his classic lawn bowls film Crackerjack — made 20 years ago — is still a powerful commentary on the way older people are treated in Australia, as reported by Nui Te Koha in the Herald Sun.
Crackerjack, and other popular Australian films, will be celebrated in the fortnightly Victoria On Film series, launching on Saturday.
Molloy said he co-wrote the film after his eponymous Channel 9 show was axed in 1999.
“I was quite upset because I had a lot of people I had employed and I had nothing really to do,” he said.
Molloy and his brother Richard drew inspiration for their next move from a bowls club near their office.
“After the boom dropped at Channel 9, we were going, ‘What can we do?’ It dawned on us after a while we were sitting in it. We had a very clear dance card and an idea that maybe we could write a film about this bizarre little world.”
“I think (lawn bowling) is a particularly Australian pursuit. When we walked into a bowling club, you were stepping back into another age, where politeness mattered, where stories were told and passed on.”
Molloy said the film’s themes are still relevant today.
“It’s about community, it’s about not judging people, it’s about all hands on deck and pulling together and specifically about the way we treat older people in this country. The film does make the point that you’ve got this great resource under your nose to learn and live from and help expand your own life and sometimes we just take it for granted.”
Today, Molly is a broadcaster on Triple M and Channel 7.
Shane Jacobson will interview Molloy and co-star Judith Lucy about Crackerjack on Saturday at 6.30pm at together.vic.gov.au.
Caption: Molloy rolls one down at Richmond Union Bowling Club in Australian Jackaroos colours as the Number 1 ticket holder for the 2012 World Bowls Championships. Credit: News Corporation Australia.
