The
immediate reaction when mentioning the show to the parentals was "Oh,
yes - I remeber that....I'll rip your bloody arms off!". Yep - sounds
like a winner there! Add to that the fact the show is about a large
crossdresser, and one has to wonder "Why is variety dead?" (I think we
can all take that last sentence with a table spoon of sarcasm)... The Aunty Jack Show
was a Logie-award winning Australian television comedy series that ran
from 1972 to 1973. Produced by and broadcast on ABC-TV, the series
attained an instant cult status for it's lead character, Aunty Jack
(Grahame Bond), a unique comic creation - an obese, moustachioed,
gravel-voiced transvestite, part trucker and part pantomime dame - who
habitually solved any problem by knocking people unconscious or
threatening to rip their arms off. There are an array of colourful and decidely camp characters (it often seems like the original cast of Jesus Christ Superstar
have formed their own comedy troupe) including Thin Arthur, Narrator
Neville and Flange Desire. However, the most notable inclusion is the
first ever appearances of Norman Gunston - a character who would
eventually become bigger than Aunty Jack himslef later down the track. There is a real sense of history about the show, with even director Peter Weir (The Truman Show, Gallipoli)
having some behind the scenes involvement in the early days of the
series. He had been part of the university revues they had done
together in the 60s, but by his own account he gave up performing just
before The Aunty Jack Show. He later recounted that, after seeing Monty Python for the first time, he felt that there was no way he could perform as well as the Python team and so he retreated behind the camera (perhaps for the better!). While
parents and such may have a field day with nostalgic memories of Aunty
Jack, I have to admit - I just didn't get it. It had it's moments, most
of them involving the brilliant Garry McDonald (still the best
Australian Actor this country has ever produced), but the shows humour
hasn't held up over the years like Monty Python or The Goons (two rather influencial programs to Bond) and many sketches just seem an incomprehensible camp 70's mess. For those of my generation, it's much like re-watching The Never Ending Story, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory or Little Monsters
(or anything starring Fred Savage for that matter) in that you secretly
know that the movie or show is utterly terrible - with bad special
effects and large clumps of boring bits (cue "Cheer Up Charlie") - but
there are so many memories swirling around in your head, it's almost
comforting to watch. So while I doubt Aunty Jack will be
convincing anyone over the age of 35 to tune in, it's sure to keep it's
original audience smiling, reminding them of a better time in their
life. And at the end of the day, if a show can have that sort of impact
on you - it can't be all that bad. EXTRAS
The
Series 1 & 2 Box Set is a treat. There are several special features
including a fantastic discussion with the original cast in which they
go over their memories and experiences of the show, and I must admit -
I almost enjoyed it more than many of the episodes themselves. And
for those real die hards, the package also come with limited edition
Aunty Jack gift tags...for all your...gift tag needs. Overall, a pretty good package - and a great fan box set!
Conclusion:
Movie 65% Extras: 65%
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