Cathy's Child

(Australia)

CB Films. Director Donald Crombie; Producer Pom Oliver, Errol Sullivan; Screenplay Ken Quinnell; Camera Gary Hansen; Editor Tim Wellburn;; Art Director Ross Major

Michelle Fawdon
Alan Cassell
Bryan Brown
Harry Michael
Anna Hruby
Bob Hughes

Cathy's Child is based on a true story [and the book by Dick Wordley] in which a young Greek mother living in Sydney had her three-year-old daughter abducted by the child's father who returned to Greece with it. The incident was made into a cause celebre by one of the local afternoon newspapers whose reporters turned the spotlight on bureaucracy's mishandling of the situation.

Michelle Fawdon turns in a super performance as the young migrant mother. To her aid comes battered old pro journalist Wordley (Alan Cassell) who with the help of his tough young city editor forces the story onto the front page. Bryan Brown is standout as the embittered editor who some years before had been through a similar experience.

Production values are excellent for the budget of less than $800,000, with shooting on location in Greece and in the Sydney area. Pic has an undeniable aura of soap opera; but that is no put down in this case since director Donald Crombie and the players keep interest up even though it's clear there'll be a happy ending come fadeout.

(Color) Extract of a review from 1979. Running time: 89 MIN.

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