Lots of people have a soft spot for CJ Dennis, and I'm one of them. I love to read the poems aloud, and try and mimic the early Australian idiom and accent. Or should I say Orstray-yan? I like seeing the words that are no longer in fashion - stoush, struth, even nipper (no one apart from the Surf Lifesavers calls kids nippers these days).
Anyway, next week as part of Australia's Silent Film Festival, the film made in 1920 will be shown in its gloriously restored form. Widely acclaimed as Australia's best silent film, this is an opportunity to see Sydney prior to 1920 up there on the big screen.
Although the poems were set in Melbourne, the film translated the story of Bill and Doreen to Sydney's Woollomooloo, a fitting working class suburb of the time.
So for something out of the ordinary, catch a classic next Sunday (18th) and contemplate the Sentimental Bloke.
For more information go to Australia's Silent Film Festival website.
And I'll sign off with one of my favourite bits from The Stror 'at Coot, when The Kid thinks his girl is interested in another man:
AR, wimmin! Wot a blinded fool I’ve been!
I arsts meself, wot else could I ixpeck?
I done me block complete on this Doreen,
An’ now me ’eart is broke, me life’s a wreck!
The dreams I dreamed, the dilly thorts I thunk
Is up the pole, an’ joy ’as done a bunk.
