This film was scripted by the strange combination of Bruce Beresford (Black Robe, Driving Miss Daisy, Paradise Road, and Double Jeopardy) and Barry Humphries (better known as Dame Edna Everage); and was based on a comic strip...you can tell. However from this rather unusual partnership and strange little story came one of the most successful movies of the so-called Australian Cinematic New Wave. Barry McKenzie was one of the first of the new Australian films which didn't feature horses, swaggies, long skirts, or paddocks. The plot is rather familiar to anyone who has seen Crocodile Dundee: Barry, who must be one of the all-time worst examples of Australian manhood, must travel to the lovely refined shores of England in order to claim his inheritance. Barry dislikes the Poms of course, and there is the standard culture clash. Much craziness, grossness and weirdness ensues. Two highlights of the film are those old troopers Barry Crocker as the all singing all dancing Barry McKenzie, and Barry Humphries as his Aunty Edna. (there are all-together too many Barry's in this film!). Comedians John Clarke and Spike Milligan also make an appearance.

Directed by Tim Burstall and starring the (cough) gorgeous Graham Blundell and that sexy minx Abigail, Alvin is a wonderful little film: Ocker as only Australian 70's movies could be, and including elements of soft porn. In keeping with the trashiness of this film - this review shall make no attempt to entertain, or inform. Instead I offer some Trivia Questions to keep you and the person in the next seat entertained...sadly this will be the only example of it that you will see this evening. Question 1. "Just how many Burstall's are there in the Australian filmmaking industry? Answer: 3 - Tim, Tom and Dan (and they say that family businesses are dead). Enthralling stuff huh. Question 2. "Which star of the ABC's 'Seachange' has Tim Burstall for a father-in-law? Answer: Sigrid Thornton. Now that was interesting wasn't it! I suppose I had better offer some kind of review or the editors might get mad, so back to the movie. If you like bad jokes, bad sex, and bad looking men, then Alvin is for you! The plot is: Alvin Purple is not an attractive man (you will have seen better heads on a flat American beer), in fact he is pretty damn ugly. Alvin is also blessed with the wit and charisma of a potato, but for some unknown reason, and I mean unexplainable and incomprehensible reason, women find him irresistible. All I can think is that the 70's truly were a decade of drugs - and these women were on them! There is a fair amount of sex (woohoo!) and comedy...well sort of...as Alvin tries to find his perfect match and struggle through his bizarre life. Original and a must for students of Australian film history. Enjoy!