MELVIN, SON OF ALVIN
Australia, 1984, 95 minutes, Colour.
Gerry Sont, Jon Finlayson, Tina Bursill, Colin Mc Ewan, Abigail, Graeme Blundell, David Argue, Marianne Collopy.
Directed by John Eastway.
Melvin Son of Alvin is a follow-up of-the very successful Alvin Purple films of the early '70s (Alvin Purple, 1973; Alvin Rides Again, 1974). There was also quite a successful ABC television series focusing on the character of Alvin Purple. He was embodied by adept comedian Graeme Blundell.
The producers thought that it was time for a follow-up. Their box-office calculations were not accurate. The film had a moderate success. It was more successful on the video market.
The film reflects the experiences of ten years in the Australian film industry. Whereas Alvin Purple was rude and daring, trying to poke its tongue out at conventions and draw in audiences with its cheekiness, Alvin Rides Again was less successful as a film (though popular with audiences). This film is still cheeky – but cannot have the freshness that the originals had. In fact, while it has its sensational moments, it is much more restrained in tone and style than the originals.
Gary Sont is a genial young man who discovers that his father was the celebrated Alvin Purple. His mother is portrayed by Abigail. He seeks out his father only to find that he is turning 40, fat and run-down, and working in sleazy jobs. Melvin has the old Alvin capacity for attracting women - much humour (more obviously sexist in the '80s) with women chasing the hero and throwing themselves at him. Part of the humour is of the innocent abroad trying to cope with this new situation. There are several sex scenes - but are more suggestive than daring.
Graeme Blundell enjoys himself as the washed-up Alvin Purple who discovers his son and takes on something of a new lease of life. However, the film is more successful on its two comedy sub-plots. The heroine who does not chase Melvin is from a Greek family. Some reviewers thought that the film was prejudiced in its presentation of the Greeks - especially the
Greek mother and her capacity for chaperoning and protecting her daughter. There are some very tunny sequences in a collage of photos where the two are together with mother suddenly appearing in all different kinds of comic ways. The film does poke fun at the Greeks trying to preserve their traditional ways in contemporary Australia, The romance with the heroine, needless to say, ends up happily.
Tina Bursill portrays an aggressive television journalist who exposes the whole situation and tries to follow up every moment and capitalise on the crises she creates. She is very good - and takes off several of Australia's prominent
interviewers. There is some good satire on the role of television and its intrusions. There is also some comedy from David Argue as her bewildered and inept cameraman.
The film was written by Morris Gleitzman, author of a number of screenplays including several for the successful children's series, Winners. Director is John Eastway who directed the first series of the very successful ABC television satire Australia You're Standing In It.
