Found this book in Dymocks' city store yesterday, recognised it as 70s Aussie culture gold, started reading the introduction - and immediately thought Andrew Mercado needs to see this! And suddenly realised I was reading Andrew's own introduction! Well done to Roger Ward, Hazel Phillips and Andrew! This is an exciting publication!
This only-recently published novel (2011) was the basis of the highly controversial Australian movie, "The Set" (released 1970). The movie turned out to be a a bit of a career-killer for 60s TV chat show hostess Hazel Phillips, who shocked her "ladies" (ie. avid fans of "Girl Talk") by appearing nude. It was also Australia's first "queer film", portraying homosexuality on the silver screen at a time when homosexuality was outlawed Down Under.
The book's author, actor Roger Ward, is well known for his roles in feature films such as "Mad Max" and "Turkey Shoot", but he also did a memorable stint in the TV soap opera, "Number 96", as Weppo the Shakespeare-spouting garbo.
Incidentally, Hazel Phillips was an early contender to play Vera Collins in "Number 96". Ms Phillips did eventually do some episodes, portraying bisexual Marie Crowther, a friend of Vera's estranged husband, Harry. Marie moves into Flat 7 briefly, on the pretext of giving them some Alcoholics Anonymous moral support. Marie was more interested, though, in peeping on Vera while she showerered.
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7 comments:
Roger Ward's book is fantastic. I too bought it from dymocks. I wish someone made a mini series based on Mr. Ward's book. His book is so great that you dont even feel like putitng it down.
I totally agree about a miniseries being made based on Roger Ward'as novel The Set. I have read the novel as well through e book. It is nice novel & the ending was fascinating. My mom read it too and she loved it. She even cried when she read the ending. Please : somebody do a miniseries on The Set
I wouldn't be surprised if Umbrella Entertainment bring back the original movie on DVD, if a print of the film still exists.
Hi, I'm pleased there is so much being said about The Set in various blogs and articles. I saw the film way back when, but in the meantime I've read the book and I find the contents of that far exceeds the boundaries placed upon it by the film.I caught Ward during an interview and he also expressed his desire to film it as a mini series.
I saw the mini series " Downtown Abbey " I liked it. I wish some producer in Australia would do something and make a miniseries on Mr.Ward's novel The Set. People would be glued to their Plasma/LCD/TV sets . Even if were made into a movie.. Its such a great story about life in the sixties.
I saw actor Roger Ward in one of the Shock horror events in Sydney. It was fantastic to see him. I purchased his book then.. How I wish some aussie producer makes a movie based on this book THE SET . The book is fantastic. What a great ending.
The drag queen sequences in The Set no doubt inspired the casting of Carlotta in "Number 96" (as Carole Lea, playing Robyn Ross, whom Arnold Feather assumed was his new girlfriend).
The Set's main character Paul (Sean McEuan) meets drag queen Kandy (Ken Johnson), who is then surprised to learn that she is really a man:
youtu.be/7LcMEckqc7o.
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