| Townies and Hayseeds | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Beaumont Smith |
| Produced by | Beaumont Smith |
| Written by | Beaumont Smith |
| Starring | George Edwards Lotus Thompson |
| Cinematography | Arthur Higgins |
| Studio | Beaumont Smith Productions |
| Release date(s) | 7 July 1923 |
| Running time | 5,000 feet |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | silent |
Townies and Hayseeds is a 1923 Australian film comedy from director Beaumont Smith. It is the fifth in his series about the rural family the Hayseeds.
Contents |
City-dweller Pa Townie goes to the country for a holiday with his wife Ma and children Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brissy, Perth and Hobart. They stay with the Hayseed family, who they then invite to stay at their place in Potts Point. There is a romantic subplot where Pa Townie's daughter Adelaide (Lotus Thompson) is pursued by a returned serviceman, George, and an English "new chum" called "Choom".[1].
Some of the satire included a "suicide club" at The Gap in Sydney, with Pa Townie trying to commit suicide, and a send up of former Prime Minister Billy Hughes.[2].
The film was written, produced and sold within five weeks in May 1923 with shooting taking place in and around Sydney. Specific scenes and titles were added for the Melbourne and Adelaide release (eg Potts Point was changed to Toorak).[3][4].
The titles of the movie received praise for their cleverness.[5]
The film was popular enough to lead to another in the series, Prehistoric Hayseeds.