The Set (1970) on Netflix
Paul Lawrence works the shirt counter at a Sydney department store and wants to study art. Cara, the woman he dates, leaves for London, and designer Marie Rosefield becomes his mentor.
- Watch on NetflixThis title is not on Netflix right now. Please check back later for updates.
- Watch on Prime
- Watch on NordVPN
- Netflix2.6/5
- IMDb5.2/10169 votes
- Rotten TomatoesNot available
Plot summary
Paul Lawrence earns his wages behind the shirt counter of a Sydney department store, though what he wants is to study art. The woman he dates, Cara, goes to London, and after that the designer Marie Rosefield takes him under her wing, bringing him into the circle of Sydney's art society. Rosefield's friend Mark Bronoski, an artist, hires Paul to build a set for John L. Fredericks, a stage director from Britain. An art student, Tony Brown, lends a hand. Tony has been seeing Paul's cousin, Kim Sylvester, and Kim's mother Peggy is involved with Bronoski. Paul and Tony grow close as well.
Cast
- Sean Myersas Paul Lawrence(Sean McEuan)
- Denis Doonanas Mark Bronoski
- Brenda Sendersas Marie Rosefield
- Amber Rodgersas Cara(Julie Rodgers)
- Ann Aczelas Leigh Radford
- Bronwyn Barberas Kim Sylvester
- Michael Charnleyas John L. Fredericks
- Elza Stenningas Baroness Bronoski(Elsa Jacoby)
- Tracy Leeas Theo(Tracey Lee)
- Les Berryman
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Set (1970)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Writer Roger Ward said he leapt in front of the cameras during filming shouting "Cut! That is not the dialogue", that actors started ignoring the director and quietly asking him for the correct lines, and that he was sent out of town on a phony publicity tour, so much of the film went through without his input.
- The censor demanded a dozen cuts before the film was passed for export, but after the producers appealed only four words were deleted. The film was also refused registration as an Australian quota production under the quality clause of the New South Wales Film Quota Act.
- The film was the first feature film in Australia to have homosexuality as a main theme, the earliest Australian feature to put gay characters at the center of its story.
- The producer's 24-year-old third wife, Dianne Brittain, read the novel while the film rights were being bought, spotted the homosexual characters and told Brittain he had to buy it, because "This guy describes two men making luuurve".
- TV personality Hazel Philips was cast as lead character Peggy Sylvester by producer Frank Brittain, but she was not the first choice of writer Ward, who wanted Carol Raye for the role.
- The stage director John L. Fredericks was based on Sir Robert Helpmann, and Michael Charnley, who played him, said on being told who he was playing, "My God, I haven't seen Bobby since he lifted me in Swan Lake!".
- A January 1969 Sydney Morning Herald report claimed violence erupted between Mullinar and Johnson when Mullinar, the film's union shop steward, asked Johnson to produce a union card; Johnson was not a union member.
