ABC2 Movies

Attention movie buff fans, there are some interesting flicks popping up on Saturday nights on ABC2 lately, some being rarities on Free to Air TV.

The Italian Job (1969) 8:30pm Sat June 19
Charlie Crocker, a petty thief, leaves jail after two years, and everyone is glad to see him go, especially Bridger, a superior criminal, who hates disruptive influences. Outside, Lorna whisks Charlie off to a luxurious hotel for a coming out ‘celebration’ which includes several other girls. Charlie visits the real love of his life, his car – a DB Aston Martin – to retrieve the swag from the last job, which is hidden under its hood. With money in his pocket once again, he enjoys the attention of a tailor and a barber. Back at the hotel Charlie receives a cryptic message: the name Beckerman and a room number. That night Madame Beckerman tells him her husband has been killed by the Mafia and has left the plans of ‘The Italian Job’ to Charlie. She asks Charlie to get backing in England and to continue with the greatest bullion raid in history: a daring, $4,000,000 robbery in the centre of Turin, Italy. Directed by Peter Collinson, The Italian Job stars Michael Caine, Maggie Blye and Benny Hill.

Hotel Sahara (1951) 10:05pm Sat June 19
Emad is the owner of a luxury hotel in a North African desert oasis during World War II. He is ready to flee, but his fiancée insists they stay. CAST: Peter Ustinov, Yvonne De Carlo DIR: Ken Annakin

The Wiz (1978) 8:30pm Sat June 26
Dorothy is a 24-year-old schoolteacher living in Harlem with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. She shies away from Aunt Em’s matchmaking, an advancement from kindergarten teacher to high school teacher, and any encounter with life south of 125th Street New York, until one memorable night… When Dorothy takes out the garbage for Aunt Em, her dog Toto rushes into a fierce New York snowstorm. Together they disappear into a vortex of snow crystals and sail through a magical oblivion, only to come crashing down on some huge electrical letters spelling Oz. To her amazement, Dorothy learns that she has killed Evermean, the Wicked Witch from the East. In an urban jungle of concrete and macadam, decorated with graffiti, she is surrounded by Munchkin boys and girls and the bizarre numbers lady called Miss One, who transfers to Dorothy’s feet the silver slippers of the dead witch and tells her that only The Wiz can help her get back home. He lives in Emerald City at the end of the yellow brick road. Directed by Sidney Lumet, The Wiz stars Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.

Storm Boy (1976) 10:40pm Sat June 26
The story of a boy growing up in an isolated corrugated iron shed next to a wildlife sanctuary, who brings up a pelican chick that refuses to be released into the wild. CAST: Greg Rowe, Peter Cummins, DIR: Henri Safran.

Puberty Blues 8:30pm Sat July 3
Puberty Blues traces the lives of two adolescent females who have spent the first part of their lives in a group by themselves, while desperately trying to break into the ‘in’ group who dominate the Greenhill beach.
Once they are accepted into the group, they realise that the group’s laid-back, ultra-cool facade is just that: a glossy cover-up. The main protagonist, Debbie and her life-long companion Sue fall into all of the group’s vices, including drug-use and casual sex. At first, they willingly present themselves to the males of the group as virtual slaves, ready to serve their pre-chosen lover’s every need. Soon, though, the girls grow tired of occupying the victim role, and they work to regain respect and equality. Directed by Bruce Beresford, Puberty Blues stars Nell Schofield and Jad Capelja.

Fringe Dwellers. (1986) 9:55pm Sat July 3
The Comeaway family is persuaded by their daughter to move from their shantytown to a new estate. She is determined not to fall into the same trap as the women around her. DIR: Bruce Beresford CAST: Kristina Nehm.