THE SUMMER OF THE 17th DOLL

Australia, 1959, 94 minutes, Black and white.
Ernest Borgnine, Anne Baxter, John ills, Angela Lansbury, Vincent Ball, Ethel Gabriel.
Directed by Leslie Norman.

The Summer of the 17th Doll (called in the United States Season Of Passion!) is the film adaptation of Ray Lawler's excellent play. The film was adapted especially for American audiences and made by an American company. The stars were all imported, although Anne Baxter was living in Australia at the time. The result is an enjoyable film – though one is conscious of the stars trying to be Australians. Stanley Kramer's On the Beach was being filmed in Melbourne at the time and the action of the play, set in Melbourne, was transferred to Sydney – especially for its scenic effects. The ending of the play was also altered to give a much more obvious optimistic ending. m e film captures the atmosphere of the play – but with the dependence on overseas markets and overseas finance and influence, the effect of the play is diminished.

1. The overall impact of this drama? Real people, its issues, insight?

2. The importance of the Australian setting and its communication? The detail of the city, Sydney's harbour, the pubs, the type of houses, Luna Park? The contrast with the atmosphere on the cane fields? The fruit-picking? How well did the film communicate atmosphere and flavour? Atmosphere as helping the meaning of the film?

3. Was it evident that the film was based on a play? Staginess, scenes, the quality of the dialogue, the highlighting of the personal conflicts?

4. The American title was Season of Passion. Comment. The use of the original title? The symbol of the doll, as a symbol for Olive? The smashing of the dolls?

5. The atmosphere of the opening? The return for the 'lay-off' season? Its flavour; pubs, good time, money? Nancy's absence and the presence of Pearl? Olive, Roo and Barney romanticising? The comparisons? what did the lay-off season mean to each of them? The contrast with Pearl?

6. How did the film communicate the change in all of them? The truth and the lies, the pretence, age? The change from a glowing holiday into realism? Nastiness and fights, lack of money? Clashes hinted and then more manifest?

7. Olive as the focus of the film? What kind of pers-on was she in herself? Growing up in this way? Bubba providing an image of the young Olive? Her explanations to Pearl? ! At home, at the pub, love, dolls? Her happiness with what she had? The outings with Roo? The New Year's Eve celebrations? What happened when she discovered the truth? How hurt was she? Her difficulties in coping? Her future?

8. Roo as presented at the beginning of the film? His reputation, as he was in himself? The humiliation of the season? His lies? The atmosphere of mateship, work? The need for money? The men turning against him? His toughness and his weakness? His hostility towards Dowd? The fight at Luna Park? Barney trying to help him? Roo's pride in not wanting to be helped? His facing the truth and coping with it? What future did he have?

9. How did Barney contrast with Roo? His bluster, his story of his marriages and children, all talk, his loyalty to Roo and to his mates-? His drinking, trying to help Dowd and Roo? His lack of effect on Pearl? Their clashes? Was it best that he went off?

10. The contrast in the character of Pearl? Her initial aloofness, questioning the arrangements, hesitant? Her attitudes towards the romanticising? Her ideas of marriage? Mer making them face the truth? The significance of her leaving them?

11. Bubba and Dowd? The echoes of Olive and Roo? As characters in themselves? Not making the same mistakes?

12. What did Emma contribute to the film? Her personality, telling them the truth?

13. How well explored was the theme of ageing? The romanticising of life and not facing reality? The quality of love? The gaining of wisdom?