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Malcolm
Malcolm makes his getaway... to the NFSA
BY ADAM BLACKSHAW
Malcolm (1986) is a beloved Australian comedy, made by first-time director Nadia Tass and first-time screenwriter David Parker. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the film and, to celebrate, we're giving you a closer look at the props and designs from the film.
The getaway cars
Our free pop-up exhibition includes Malcolm’s most famous prop, which is also the largest item in the NFSA collection: the getaway car that memorably splits in two during the film. In the video below we transport the car to the NFSA and prepare it for exhibition:
In the film, Malcolm (played by Colin Friels) is a mechanical genius. His gadgets were designed and constructed by Parker, Tony Mahood (First Assistant Director) and Steve Mills in Parker’s photographic studio in Melbourne. The most challenging was the yellow 1970 Honda Z car. David Parker explains:
"We had a complete car, one for the actors, which actually split in two on a rig and we had to have one that had wheels and ran along with stunt drivers in it. So we had to have three cars – two of which we cut right down the middle. We just cut them through with an angle grinder and a hacksaw."
The car is on display at the NFSA in Canberra from 25 October to 9 October. See Malcolm first demonstrate the car in the film.
'Give us a million dollars!’
Raising the budget for Malcolm involved sacrifices on the part of the first-time filmmakers as well as an inventive approach worthy of Malcolm himself. In this clip from a 1989 interview with David Stratton, director Nadia Tass and writer-producer David Parker explain how they scared up the money:
In the clip below, Tass and Parker talk about the involvement of actor Colin Friels in the creation of the film and how he nearly missed out on playing the lead role:
Listen to more excerpts from David Stratton’s interview with Nadia Tass and David Parker on SoundCloud.
Malcolm in pictures
Posters, lobby cards and behind-the-scenes photographs from the film.
Poster for 'Malcolm' (1986). NFSA title: 433917
Crew on the set of Malcolm (1986). NFSA title: 355726
Malcolm (Colin Friels) sends his toy car for milk to the corner shop. NFSA title: 594475
Looking like the Kelly Gang, three remote-controlled ashtray bins stage a hold-up. NFSA title: 594467
Two armed guards (Mike Bishop and John Stanton) are held up by Malcolm's modified remote-controlled car. NFSA title: 594479
Filming 'Malcolm' (1986): Malcolm (Colin Friels) driving a small Brunswick tram. NFSA title: 594457
Malcolm (Colin Friels) takes his small Brunswick tram for a spin. NFSA title: 594481
The cast of Malcolm (1986): Malcolm (Colin Friels), Judith (Lindy Davies) and Frank (John Hargreaves). NFSA title: 594483
Malcolm's unique getaway car in action. NFSA title: 361153
Malcolm's getaway car surprises two shop assistants. NFSA title: 594453
Malcolm (Colin Friels) shows Judith (Lindy Davies) and Frank (John Hargreaves) his tricked-up 1970 Honda Z car. NFSA title: 594409
An unfortunate end to Malcolm's getaway car. NFSA title: 594473