Barnaby and Me

Barnaby and Me is a 1978 Australian made-for-television film about a girl and her talking koala Barnaby who are pursued by criminals.[1]

Barnaby and Me
Written byJames Henerson
Directed byNorman Panama
StarringSid Caesar
Juliet Mills
Hugh Keays-Byrne
Sally Boyden
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerMatthew Herman
Running time90 mins
Production companyTrans-Atlantic Enterprises
Release
Original networkAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
Original release1978 (1978)

The film was one of six TV movies made in Australia by Transatlantic Enterprises along with the ABC. Barnaby and Me was made in association with Six Flags, presented as the theme park company's first foray into the movie business.[2]

It was the final film directed by Norman Panama.[3]

Cast

Additionally, Rangi Nicols plays Ko, a native of the mysterious outback colony of Happy Valley. John Newcombe also appears as himself in a scene where competes with Barnaby in a frenzies match on the court.

Production

It was the second film from Transatlantic Enterprises, following No Room to Run. The film was announced in November 1976 as Billy.[5] Another working title was Fuzzy.[6]

Australian singer Sally Boyden turned down the chance to tour with Liberace to make the movie.[6] John Newcombe has a cameo where he plays a game of tennis against Caesar.[7]

Filming took place from mid November 1976 to mid January 1977.[6]

Caesar was addicted to alcohol and pills and the time and later wrote in his memoirs that on the flight out "I took my usual ration of booze and pills and passed out completely. When the plane landed in New Zealand Caesar could not be woken up so they took him to hospital.[8] His wife Florence was flown to Auckland but by the time she arrived Caesar had gone to Sydney. Norman Panama requested Florence stay on the set to ensure Caesar completed the film. Caesar wrote "she did and she got me to work every day, in reasonably usable condition."[9] However Caesar said he could not remember anything about making the movie or any of the time he spent in Australia.[9]

References
  1. Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p11
  2. "Six Flags Produces Motion Pictures". The Taylor Daily Press. 21 April 1978.
  3. Norman Panama, 88, Half of Duo Who Wrote Many Film Comedies: [Obituary (Obit)] Lyman, Rick. New York Times 27 Jan 2003: A.23.
  4. Normann, Debra (14 May 1978). "Unpredictable Koala Making Starring Debut". El Paso Times.
  5. Pillow Company Spreads Out Kilday, Gregg. Los Angeles Times 3 Nov 1976: f9.
  6. "People". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 10 November 1976. p. 9. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  7. "People". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 19 January 1977. p. 9. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  8. Caesar p 6
  9. Caesar p 188

Notes
  • Caesar, Sid; Davidson, Bill (1982). Where have I been? : an autobiography. Crown Publishers.


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