By the Bel: Blasts from the Past — Part 2

Continuing my Blasts from the Past, I would like to introduce you to a series that was shot in 1992. (Yes, that was the last millennium!)

Clowning Around httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWwG7bW5wpM&feature=related a drama that was made all the more poignant because the lead role was a boy, rather than a girl. It was directed by George Whaley and writing credits go to Shane Brennan, Tom Cavanaugh and David Martain. It was shot in both Western Australia and Paris.

IMDB is a great resource, here’s their synopsis of Clowning Around… In and out of foster homes for most of his life, 14-year old Sim wants nothing more than to be a professional circus clown. His new foster parents, however, have other plans for him. But Sim won’t let go of his dream and sets off on a series of exciting adventures taking him from Australia to Paris. With the support of friends collected on the way, Sim learns the art of clowning is more than just clowning around.

The names run thick and fast in this series. Practically TV royalty. Ernie Dingo from the great outdoors, Noni Hazlehurst, and Steve Jodrell from City Homicide. We also see the partnership from Elly and Jools of Rebecca Smart and Clayton Williamson again, but their chemistry is totally different in this series. As an added little gem in their crown was an uncredited appearance by one Heath Ledger.

Issues of abandonment and being shuffled around like you belong in the ‘too hard basket’ gave kids in similar situations something to identify with. There were such amazing moments of heartbreaking drama and old fashioned comedy that was innocent without treating the audience like they were stupid. It was really the first series that had us accepting that families came in many forms, and not every mother wants to be a mother.

I’ll continue with my nostalgia in future instalments. Hope you don’t mind.