Titles tagged with ‘singers’
31 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year
1890s
The Cambridge Anthropological Expedition to the Torres Strait music – 1898
Yamaz Sibarud is a traditional song performed by ‘Maino of Yam’, recorded during an anthropological expedition to the Torres Strait in 1898.
1920s
Australasian Gazette – Dame Nellie Melba newsreel – c1920
This newsreel footage shows soprano Dame Nellie Melba, having arrived in Sydney from Vancouver on the passenger liner RMS Niagara after a world tour.
Dame Nellie in the Mitchell Estate Garden, Lilydale home movie – c1927
This is home movie footage of opera star Dame Nellie Melba at her home, the Mitchell Estate Garden in Lilydale, Victoria.
1930s
Miss Minnie Love in Impressions: Maurice Chevalier historical – c1931
Australian performer Minnie Love mimics the popular French comedian and singer Maurice Chevalier for Frank Thring’s Efftee Entertainers series.
Wrap Me Up With My Stockwhip and Blanket music – 1936
New Zealand-born Tex Morton created an awareness that country and western music could be an Australian form as much as it was an American form.
The Broken Melody feature film – 1938
A film with music rather than a musical, The Broken Melody is one of the few films of the 1930s that tries to depict the Depression’s effect on real people.
Let George Do It feature film – 1938
Although reliant on the comic sketches Wallace made famous in his vaudeville act, the film is pushed along by the thrilling outdoor action sequences Ken Hall knew how to direct.
1950s
Smoky Dawson and the Singing Bullet radio – 1955
Smoky Dawson rescues his young friend Billy from two villains in this classic episode of the Smoky Dawson radio show.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate – ‘Give Her Roses’ advertisement – 1959
This charming 1950s ad for Cadbury’s chocolates relies on the audience’s familiarity with the style of love song made famous by 1930s French romantic singer Maurice Chevalier.
1960s
Georgia Lee Sings the Blues Down Under music – 1962
Georgia Lee was the first Indigenous Australian female singer to release an album. This was also the first Australian album to be recorded in stereo.
The Pearl Fishers television program – 1963
This black-and-white television production of the opera was one of the earliest performances ever broadcast on the ABC and one of the most elaborate.
I’ll Never Find Another You music – 1964
A 1964 song by The Seekers, written and produced by Tom Springfield, which became the first million-selling record by an Australian band.
1970s
Chequerboard – My Brown Skin Baby, They Take ‘im Away television program – 1970
This powerful film documents the impact of the government’s policy of removing light-skinned children from their Aboriginal mothers to be raised in Christian missions.
Sydney Opera House Opening Concert music – 1973
A magical night in the history of Australian music: the first official concert in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.
1980s
New Faces television program – 1982
A 1980s episode from the classic talent show hosted by Bert Newton.
Yanks Down Under documentary – 1983
This documentary profiles Americans in the entertainment business, including a 16-year-old Marcia Hines brought to Australia by the musical Hair.
High Tide feature film – 1987
Judy Davis makes her deeply flawed character compelling and, without her in the role, audiences may have rejected the character.
I Should Be So Lucky music – 1987
The second single from Kylie’s debut album, Kylie (1988), penned by English pop writing-producing phenomenon Stock, Aitken and Waterman.
1990s
Lowering the Tone: 45 Years of Robyn Archer documentary – 1993
Archer considered A Star is Torn a tribute to women who influenced her music: Patsy Cline, Bessie Smith, Janis Joplin and Marie Lloyd.
Harold documentary – 1994
A big man with a big voice. As the first Indigenous man to sing on national radio, Harold Blair carried huge responsibilities on his shoulders.
Doesn’t Everybody Want a Golden Guitar documentary – 1995
A theme of this foot-tapping documentary, set in Tamworth, is that country music fans are also down-to-earth like country people.
Li’l Elvis and the Truckstoppers – Caught in a Trap television program – 1997
Li’l Elvis wants to be a normal kid, not an Elivis impersonator, but his mother is aghast, 'What about your fans, what about the bank, what about the king!’
Pentuphouse short film – 1998
This short film by Cate Shortland is a snapshot of a relationship in its last days.
2000s
Outback Opera, La Boheme Tour documentary – 2002
Opera Australia’s OzOpera Tour took La Boheme to country Victoria and South Australia. The camera follows the 22-stop tour.
Warren H Williams, the stories, the songs documentary – 2004
Inspired by his musical family, Arrernte musician Warren H Williams became a singer-songwriter himself.
Happy Feet feature film – 2006
Filmmakers spent two months in Antarctica photographing landscapes and fauna to make this animated film look photoreal.
Jimmy Little’s Gentle Journey documentary – 2006
Jimmy Little’s softly softly style came under scrutiny during the heyday of 1970s Indigenous politics.
Choir of Hard Knocks – Episode 3 television program – 2007
A group of homeless and otherwise struggling people join the Choir of Hard Knocks and allow their experience to be recorded.
The Home Song Stories feature film – 2007
The film succeeds on the basis of uniformly superb performances. Joan Chen’s Rose is a tour de force, perhaps the best role of an already distinguished international career.
Bran Nue Dae feature film – 2009
An uplifting musical about an Indigenous boy’s journey back home, Bran Nue Dae encourages the audience to relax, get on board and enjoy the ride.
