One does not have to be a monarchist to enjoy this documentary of the largest, longest and most expensive event ever staged in Australia – Queen Elizabeth’s 1954 tour. The film has been appropriately released on the 60th anniversary and may appeal to baby boomers who were there.
The 60 day Australia-wide tour by the young 26 year old Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip did not include little Prince Charles and Princess Anne. Her commitments meant that Queen Elizabeth did not see her children for 6 months.
Australia was in a new era post-depression, post-war and pre television. A new young stylish queen, queen of quarter of the globe, was symbolic of hope and romance. The Queen opened parliaments, thanked war veterans, and attended mayoral lunches, glittering balls, horse race meetings and mining and agricultural displays all over Australia A surprising 75% of the population lined streets, train tracks and racetracks to see her.
This represented the biggest mass movement since the war. For the first time something other than sport had united Australia.
The whole nation swooned . . . including Prime Minister Robert Menzies who was moved to poetry, – “I did but see her passing by, yet I love her till I die”.
She affected fashion. Her pastel waisted fashions were quickly copied by the stores and put on sale during the tour. Of particular note was the Queen’s Australian Wattle dress and matching diamond wattle brooch. Consistent with the theme, some primary schools performed a wattle dance.
The film is made from 35mm footage and home movies footage. The archival footage has only recently come into Australian ownership. The film is more than just old movie footage; it introduces small groups of typical Australian women meeting over afternoon tea to discuss the era and their experiences. Small touches like cucumber sandwiches in the shape of Queensland for a high tea show the level of care taken by ordinary folk.
Others involved are depicted such as the chauffeur who was so proud of his precision and role in the event.
The score is faultless in depicting the era, and the technical production integrating professional and amateur material from the time as well as new film is seamless.
WHEN THE QUEEN CAME TO TOWN stars Australian legends Bert Newton as the Narrator and Lorraine Bayly as the Storyteller. The role of the storyteller was designed to enchant little girls with this fairytale. The storytelling punctuates the footage keeping up the magical aura.
The film has been directed by Maurice Murphy and has been produced by Harriet Pike and Bettina Dalton.
After 78 minutes, I felt the warmth of that bye gone era and almost felt myself believing in the fairytale.
An Umbrella Entertainment production , WHEN THE QUEEN CAME TO TOWN screened on November 8 as part of this year’s British Film Festival.
The film will release nationally on November 27. In New South Wales it will screen at the Majestic cinema Port Macquarie, the Forum cinema at Wagga Wagga, and Palace cinemas Byron Bay, Norton Street and Verona.
Saw When The Queen Came To Town yesterday, what wonderful nostalgia, I had a smile on my face all the way through. I was 10 at the time and probably saw her more times than most as lived close to Government House, Sydney. Saw her land from the Gothic, go out or return to Government House many times. The most special were on her return from evening functions when they drove up our street with no others around, the Queen in her evening gown and tiara looking extremely beautiful, really did look like she was from a fairy-tale to my 10 yr old eyes. My Dad would get time of her return and I was allowed to stay up. First night the light was off in the car but she saw me and waved. After that each night the light would be turned on at the bottom of our short street and the car would slow down and the Duke and Queen would both laughingly wave to me. The memories of these nights are still vivid as are those of the bunting in the city, especially along Macquarie St and the friendly atmosphere in the city. Didn’t feel this wonderful atmosphere again until the Sydney Olympics when I kept telling everyone ” it was like when the Queen first came to Sydney”.
Looking forward to seeing it to morrow at Balwyn cinema.