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Alvin Purple

Alvin Purple
Alvin Purple (film).jpg
Theatrical film poster
Directed by Tim Burstall
Produced by Tim Burstall
Written by Alan Hopgood
Starring Graeme Blundell
Lynette Curran
Jill Forster
Jacki Weaver
Dina Mann
Music by Brian Cadd
Cinematography Robin Copping
Edited by Edward McQueen-Mason
Production
company
Distributed by Umbrella Entertainment
Roadshow Entertainment (Australia)
Columbia-Warner (UK)
Release date
  • 20 December 1972 (1972-12-20)
Running time
97 minutes
Country Australia
Language English
Budget A$202,000
Box office A$4,720,000

Alvin Purple is an 1973 Australian comedy film starring Graeme Blundell, written by Alan Hopgood and directed by Tim Burstall.

It received largely negative reviews from local film critics. Despite this it was a major hit with Australian audiences. Alvin Purple became the most commercially successful Australian film released to that time, breaking the box office record set by Michael Powell's pioneering Anglo-Australian comedy feature They're a Weird Mob (1966).

The score and title theme were composed by iconic Australian singer-songwriter Brian Cadd.

A 1974 film sequel Alvin Rides Again toned-down the sex scenes and nudity, adding more camp comedy.

This was followed by a 1976 Australian Broadcasting Commission situation comedy television series titled Alvin Purple. Blundell reprised the title role in both, as well as in the 1984 movie Melvin, Son of Alvin.

The film is a sex-farce which follows the misadventures of a naïve young Melbourne man Alvin Purple, whom women find irresistible. Working in door to door sales, Alvin (unsuccessfully) tries to resist legions of women who want him.

Alvin is so worn-out he seeks psychiatric help to solve his problems. His psychiatrist is, of course, a woman. Alvin ultimately falls in love with the one girl who doesn't throw herself at him. She becomes a nun, and Alvin ends up a gardener in the convent's gardens.

Director Tim Burstall had worked extensively in film both in Australia and overseas in the 1960s and in the late Sixties he was closely involved in the foundation of the famous La Mama Theatre in Melbourne, established by his wife Betty Burstall. La Mama was a major focus for the new wave of Australian drama that was emerging at that time, showcasing many new plays, performance pieces and films by people such as Jack Hibberd, Alex Buzo, David Williamson, Bert Deling and Burstall himself.


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