Clowning Around

Clowning Around is a 1991 Australian family film that was shot on location in Perth, Western Australia and Paris, France. It was based on the novel Clowning Sim by David Martin.^[1]

The film was produced by independent film company Barron Entertainment Films in Western Australia and educational film company WonderWorks in the United States, was directed by George Whaley. It was distributed by Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It featured Australian actors such as Clayton Williamson, Noni Hazelhurst, Ernie Dingo, Rebecca Smart, and Jill Perryman, and also featured veteran American actor Van Johnson along with French actor Jean-Michel Dagory. This film also features the first film role for Heath Ledger, who would later appear in Blackrock (1997) with Smart and Candy (2006) with Hazlehurst. Ledger's role appeared in the last ten minutes; he played an orphan clown who closes the film by delivering its final lines. His role was so minor he was not even mentioned in the film's credits.^[2] This series was followed up with a sequel entitled Clowning Around 2, which was filmed in 1992.

Synopsis

Simon Gunner (Clayton Williamson), is a starstruck kid who aspires to become a circus clown. With the help of veteran funster Jack Merrick (Ernie Dingo), Simon ultimately fulfills his goal.

Cast

• Clayton Williamson as Simon Gunner
• Annie Byron as Una Crealy
• Jean-Michel Dagory as Anatole Tollin
• Ernie Dingo as Jack Merrick
• Van Johnson as Mr. Ranthow
• Rebecca Smart as Linda Crealy
• Noni Hazlehurst as Sarah Gunner
• Jill Perryman as Miss Gabhurst
• Steve Jodrell as Skipper Crealy
• Heath Ledger as orphan clown (uncredited)

References

1. ↑ Albert Moran, Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series, AFTRS 1993 p 119
2. ↑ Watson, Stephanie (January 2010). Heath Ledger: Talented Actor. Essential Library. p. 21. ISBN 978-1604537895. Retrieved 17 January 2015. 

External links

• Clowning Around at the Internet Movie Database
• Clowning Around at AllMovie