'Came A Hot Friday' movie review

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 11, 6 August 1985, Page 3

'Came A Hot Friday' movie review

Just over 200 people attended a special charity sneak preview of the newest New Zealand movie, 'Came A Hot Friday' at Raetihi's Theatre Royal last T uesday night. The evening was to raise funds for the Ruapehu Hotel's charity trust, a fund established to enable local young people to pursue sport and cultural endeavours. It's a rollicking good movie, well acted and beautifully filmed by Alun Bollinger. I must admit to having had some reservations about what sort of movie to

expect, having seen clips of Billy T. James playing a Mexican bandito character, but this film will appeal to young and old alike. If the reaction of Tuesday's audience is any guarantee then this film is a winner. 'Came A Hot Friday' is the second of Ronald Hugh Morrieson's stories to be filmed by Larry Parr of Mirage Films. Basically it's a Kiwi story set in the post war period of 1949, against a background of racing, gambling, fast cars and ioose women. Two conmen, Wesley Pennington and Cyril Kidman, Continued on page 21

'Came A Hot Friday' movie review

Continued from page 3 played by Peter Bland and Phillip Gordon respectively, are running a bookmaking scam — using prior knowledge of results and late bets to fleece bookies of big bucks or rather pounds shillings and pence as it was then. Things go well until our two heroes reach a town called Tainuia Junction. There their luck takes a turn for the worse, after the initial big score from local bookie Norm Cray (played by Don Selwyn). Wes and Cyril suffer some humiliating defeats before risking the whole pot on one last roll of the dice. But, before the dice stops rolling the two find themselves at odds with the bookie, the casino boss and the pol'ice — comprised, in this ' town, of one person. Never fear, there 's a secret weapon — the Tainuia Kid __ yes, Bill T. James, the wildest bandito ever to ride the range. No other actor could have played this role as well as

Thrifty Billy, the part was made for him. The ending of the film is a surprise and you'll have to wait to see it for yourself, 1 won't give it away. Everyone concerned has acquitted themselves well. I've mentioned the photogrhphy. Designer Ron Highfield and costumier Barbara Darragh, have made superb contribution. The special effects boys also had a ball, in fact it looked like the whole cast and crew enjoyed themselves on this shoot. Some of New Zealand's most accomplished actors appear in some of the smaller parts, but you have to be quick to spot them. Producer Larry Parr and director Ian Mune, can be well pleased with the result. It's a film which could well crack the lucrative international market — New Zealand needs a major film success. Let's hope so. As I've said, it's a darned good romp and you'll kick yourself if you miss it.

Keith

Richardson