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The Genie From Down Under – It’s my Opal … (and I’ll cry if I want to) (1995)

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clip 'Gidday, I'm Otto von Meister'

Original classification rating: G. This clip chosen to be G

Clip description

Otto von Meister (Mark Mitchell) and his nephew Conrad (Fletcher Humphrys) arrive at Townes Downs with a busload of unfortunate Russian tourists. Supervised by Trish Emu (Kylie Belling), the tourists are desperate to use the toilet. Otto doles out the toilet paper one sheet of at a time as they queue to use the only bathroom at Townes Downs. Lady Diana (Anna Galvin) and Mossop (Monica Maughan) look on in horror.

Curator’s notes

by Annemaree O'Brien

This clip mines the cultural contrasts between the English Lady Diana and her prim housekeeper Mrs Mossop, and the two outback Australian male stereotypes – the handsome and well-mannered Bruce and Baz, and the rude ruffian Otto – for humour. Costumes, makeup and props are used well to create these contrasts, drawing strongly on Paul Hogan’s iconic Crocodile Dundee character that was so well-known in the 1980s and 1990s.