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Dogs in Space (1986)

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clip Countdown!

Original classification rating: R. This clip chosen to be PG

Clip description

Barbara (Fiona Latham) from the Socialist Youth Alliance asks Dogs in Space to play a benefit gig. Sam (Michael Hutchence) and everyone else is distracted by TV rock show Countdown (1974-87). Chainsaw Man (Chris Haywood) starts the engine of his machine.

Curator’s notes

by Richard Kuipers

A terrific scene with nervous young political idealist Barbara attempting to get Sam and his band to play at one of the Rock Against Unemployment concerts popular during the era. Her pitch sounds like something from a textbook, and it’s the usually mumbling Sam who helps her pronounce the word ‘anarchistic.’ Barbara doesn’t stand a chance once Countdown starts. From 1974 to the mid-1980s, this rock show – the local equivalent of Britain’s Top of the Pops (1964-2006) – was watched religiously by young Australians and gave many famous Australian bands their first big break on national TV. Listen carefully to the very funny dialogue floating around the room as Barbara talks. As for Chainsaw Man – why wouldn’t a house like this have a visitor who loves demonstrating his chainsaw indoors?

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australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.

All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions.

When you access australianscreen you agree that:

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  • You may download materials for your personal use or for non-commercial educational purposes, but you must not publish them elsewhere or redistribute clips in any way.
  • You may embed the clip for non-commercial educational purposes including for use on a school intranet site or a school resource catalogue.
  • The National Film and Sound Archive’s permission must be sought to amend any information in the materials, unless otherwise stated in notices throughout the Site.

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ANY UNAUTHORISED USE OF MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

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