IT ISN'T DONE

Australia, 1936, 90 minutes, Black and white.
Cecil Kellaway, Ann Richards, Frank Harvey, John Longden.
Directed by Ken G. Hall.

It Isn't Done is one of the 18 Ken Hall films of the 30s and early 40s. It is an entertaining comedy with a touch of satire. It capitalises on Australia's regard, for England as the mother country, for royalty and titles - while, nevertheless, poking fun at them and mocking the English as well as exalting Australian nationalism and feeling.

Unlike many of Hall's other dramas, it is not set in the outback but in the city and in England. It is a star vehicle Cecil Kellaway, the South African actor who spent some years in Sydney before going to Hollywood and a long and successful career. His other comedy for Ken Hall was Mr Chedworth Steps Out.

There are some amusing moments and lines - quite dated now - but, in the spirit of the mockery of British Nobility and Snobbery, quite entertaining. There is a famous scene where Cecil Kellaway has his hair pushed up to make him look like a koala as he sits at the top of a banister.

1. Australian entertainment of the 1930s? The Spirit of Australia? Nationalism? Attitudes towards England?

2. The work of Ken G Hall, prolific, success in Australia? Overseas? In later times? Ken G Hall's showmanship, making films for entertainment rather than message? Grounding them in the Australian ethos of the time?

3. The Australian settings, the insertion of authentic scenes as Sydney Harbour Bridge (newly built) as well as English atmosphere? Musical Score? Cecil Kellaway and his comic style? Small budget production?

4. The picture of the family in Australia, their life on the property, relationships, the younger generation? The son dead in World War I - and the memories at the end of the film? The appeal to the Anzac spirit?

5. The information about the title, the lawyer coming from England, the discussions, the reaction of the family to the title? Mother wanting to pack instantly? Pat and the preparations for England? Herbert?

6. The arrival in England, the colonials and their reception? Settling in the home? Tee title and the British saying that "It isn't done"? The butler and his proper style? The reaction? Dressing for dinner, the whiskey? Preparing for
visitors? Mother and her enjoyment of the clothes and the style? Pat and her ambitions? Herbert and his irritation?

7. Herbert drinking, the visitors being held up? Having to take him to bed, his misbehaving, yelling out 'Cooee'? The butler having to help? The doctors arrival? The guests, their manner, disdain for the behaviour? The wife inviting Pat and the family to dinner? To the hunt?

8. The hunt, English tradition, Pat enjoying it? The encounter with Peter Ashton and the dog? The Lord and his fall? Getting a lift from Herbert - and his anger afterwards?

9. Peter Ashton and his mother, the claim, his disappointment? His writing, work as a waiter? Attraction towards Pat? Inviting her to London? Herbert’s asking him not to propose until he was more secure? His promise? Meeting Pat at the nightclub, spilling the drink, walking home with her? His proposal? Plans for writing? Pat and her disappointment? The separation? Herbert’s' intervention? Bringing them together, Peter acting as a waiter, the reconciliation? The marriage?

10. The visit to the household, Herbert and his wife being put in the library, the snobbery, the empty places at dinner, Pat humiliated? The Lord and his disdain of Australians - and his guest stating he was born in Australia? The antagonism, especially towards the Queen? The arrival of the photo, the name on the photo, Herbert's decision to change it? The attack by the Lord? Herbert giving up the title?

11. Peter assuming the title, Pat becoming My Lady? Herbert and his wife happily going back home? The visit to the grave? Recovering their son, the Lord and his dead son, a reconciliation?

12. The butler and his becoming Australianized, going back home with them?

13. The portrait of English manners and bad manners? Yet the Australian longing for the English heritage? Title and court? The contrast with the soil of Australia and the feel for the Australian bush and Australian hopes? A piece of Australiana of the mid 30s?