FILM AUSTRALIA COLLECTION

Title Details

Jimmy Little

Aboriginal singer Jimmy Little talks about what stardom meant for a boy from the bush and the profound impact his Aboriginal heritage has had on his life and his music.
Series : Australian Biography Series 6 | Year : 1997 | Total Duration : 26 Minutes | Producer : Robin Hughes, Linda Kruger
Director : Robin Hughes, Linda Kruger |
Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about always singing and imitating sounds that he liked as a boy. Archival b&w footage Jimmy Little singing ÒRoyal Telephone Ò for television. Super. Interview Jimmy about his parents being vaudeville performers.
Access No. 132304 | 1 min 8 secs | Various | Australia | © Nine Network | Colour |
Still b&w photograph Wallaga Lake Gum Leaf Band with Vaudivelle (correct spelling) sign, from Cummeragunga. Detail photo young Aboriginal women and men in front of sign. Interview Jimmy Little talking about old picture houses.
Access No. 132305 | 15 secs | Various | Australia | © Australian Institute of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies | Colour |
Archival b&w footage cinema, circa1930s, overhead shot people in cinema, projectionist pushing lever to open curtains, Al Jolson on screen dancing and singing ÒToot Toot TootsieÓ. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about Wallaga Lake troupe going to entertain other Aboriginal communities.
Access No. 132306 | 29 secs | 1930s | Australia | © Film World | Colour |
Still b&w photograph CU sign for Wallaga Lake Gum Leaf Band with their Vaudivelle & Corroboree. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about teaching Aboriginal children through the band's entertaining. B&W photo Aboriginal men holding sign for Gum Leaf Band, zoom to Jimmy's father.
Access No. 132307 | 26 secs | Various | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Still b&w photograph river at Echuca, Victoria with wharf and river boat moored. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about experiencing peaceful and tranquil water environments and landscapes through both parents' Aboriginal missions.
Access No. 132308 | 43 secs | Various | Australia | © State Library of New South Wales | Colour |
Still b&w photograph river at Echuca with glassy water and trees on banks, large tree in F/G overhanging river.
Access No. 132309 | 4 secs | 1990s | VIC, Australia | © State Library of Victoria | Colour |
Still b&w photograph Jimmy Little's mother standing with three Aboriginal men, zoom to mother wearing hat. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about death of his mother from tetanus. Detail photo CU Jimmy's mother. Interview Jimmy about choosing course of music as therapeutic way of recovering. B&W photo Jimmy as young man with guitar, Engadine, 1950s. Interview Jimmy about realising he needed to heal the hurt from the loss of his mum through music, and finding a new lease of life.
Access No. 132310 | 1 min 33 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Still b&w photograph Jimmy Little as youth outdoors holding guitar. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about his father buying him his first guitar and helping to arrange his first audition on Amateur Hour in Sydney.
Access No. 132311 | 43 secs | Various | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Still b&w photograph Pitt Street Sydney from above, bus turning corner, 1950s. B&W photo York Street Sydney with traffic, 1951. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about being in Sydney with his father and who spent his last bit of money for Jimmy's audition despite being very poor.
Access No. 132312 | 24 secs | 1950s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © State Library of New South Wales | Colour |
Still b&w photograph Jimmy Little as young man smiling with guitar at Amateur Hour audition, 1950s. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about displaying his talent at audition and being booked to appear on various talent competitions which he found encouraging rather than daunting. B&W photo Jimmy Little sitting with Pat Ware, 1950s. Interview Jimmy about his confidence and sense of where he wanted to go, being more reserved than shy. B&W photo Jimmy singing with band playing in B/G. Interview Jimmy about reserving his energy for entertaining.
Access No. 132313 | 1 min 27 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Still b&w photograph WS crowd dancing in hall of Gosford Leagues Club with Jimmy Little singing on stage. B&W photo Jimmy playing guitar and singing at microphone flanked by two other musicians. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about labouring in timber mills during the day. B&W photo portrait of Jimmy smiling. Interview Jimmy about experiencing non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal communities, having a foot in each world. B&W photo Jimmy holding guitar and smiling.
Access No. 132314 | 55 secs | Various | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Still b&w photograph Jimmy Little as groom with his wife Marj in bridal dress on their wedding day. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about meeting Marj when they were both 17 and eventually getting married. Colour photo bridal party with Jimmy Little and his bride Marj.
Access No. 132315 | 38 secs | Various | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Still b&w photograph from magazine of Jimmy Little with his wife Marj and their young daughter Frannie. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about getting his first recording contract in 1956 and working as an artist non stop until the mid 1980s.
Access No. 132316 | 28 secs | Various | Australia | © ACP Publishing | Colour |
Various Jimmy Little record album covers, Winterwood, All for Love, Travellin' Minstrel Man, The Best of Jimmy Little and The Country Sound of Jimmy Little. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about a ten year period when he was not recording but being involved in other areas of the arts, mainly acting. Still b&w photograph Jimmy Little at microphone strumming guitar in EMI studio. B&W photo Jimmy playing with various studio musicians including large man playing accordion.
Access No. 132317 | 58 secs | Various | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about having to record an overseas composition for the A side of a record which added to reputation and growth of artists in the Australian industry. Poster for Shadow of the Boomerang 1960 feature film or movie. Interview Jimmy in recording studio about playing role of Johnnie the head stock boy in movie set on cattle station.
Access No. 132318 | 1 min | Various | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Archival colour footage scene from 1960 feature film ÒShadow of the BoomerangÓ. Super. Jimmy Little playing role of Johnnie the stock boy, being introduced to American visitors in homestead kitchen. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about returning to full music career when filming finished.
Access No. 132319 | 55 secs | 1960s | Australia | © Contact Film Australia Collection Library | Colour |
MCU and pull back from record album cover Sing to Glory with smiling face of Jimmy Little. Interview Jimmy Little talking about his first big hit in 1964 with song Royal Telephone. Cover of Disc music review magazine with picture of Jimmy Little holding his gold record standing with other people. Interview Jimmy, 1997, about how he spent the money he was earning. Still colour portrait photograph Jimmy Little in smart clothes. Interview Jimmy about keeping up his standards as an artist.
Access No. 132320 | 1 min 15 secs | 1960s | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Archival b&w footage from Johnny O'Keefe Show, 1962. Super. Studio set opens in front of audience seated by tables with lamps cafe style, Jimmy Little walking through audience singing ÒChip ChipÓ. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about getting performance bookings after television appearances.
Access No. 132321 | 58 secs | 1960s | Australia | © National Film and Sound Archive | Colour |
Still B&W photograph Jimmy Little with Col Joye both with guitars, Cootamundra. B&W photo Jimmy and Col in a record store. B&W photo Jimmy with Johnny O'Keefe. B&W poster Col Joye poster with feature for Dig Richards and Jimmy Little. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about his calming down style in contrast to Col Joye's exciting the audiences. Colour portrait photograph Jimmy. Interview Jimmy about not joining in on party scene, being a non drinker and non smoker.
Access No. 132322 | 42 secs | 1960s | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Still b&w portrait photograph Jimmy Little. B&W photo Jimmy with wife Marj. B&W photo Jimmy with daughter Frannie. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997. B&W photo Jimmy signing autograph for two female fans. B&W photo Jimmy with group of female fans. Interview Jimmy Little talking about his excitement and emotion through popularity and taking it home for his wife's benefit. B&W photo smiling Jimmy and Marj. Interview Jimmy about country audiences being very appreciative during the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Access No. 132323 | 1 min 1 sec | Various | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
B&W 1966 poster for Cabaret Ball in Gilgandra, pan down to picture of Jimmy Little and his trio. Still b&w photograph Jimmy Little clapping on stage with other performers. Newspaper clipping titled ÒStar Band on NT TourÓ with photo Jimmy and trio. Interview Jimmy Little talking about country audiences. B&W photo of large standing audience (crowd) shot from above. Poster for Bullengarook country music festival with list of entertainers. Interview Jimmy, 1997, about only small numbers of Aboriginal people turning up for his concerts for a combination of reasons.
Access No. 132324 | 2 mins 6 secs | 1960s | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Archival b&w footage 1964, Jimmy Little singing with guitar ÒRambling Back to Those Rugged HillsÓ in television studio against ornate set. Super. Jimmy stands up to sound of applause at end. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, in recording studio talking about Aboriginal tradition allowing use of their rich culture for commercial success and self gain.
Access No. 132325 | 1 min 29 secs | 1960s | Australia | © ABC Television | Colour |
Poster for Koori Music Aboriginal Country Music & Arts Festival at Deakin University. CU b&w 1980s poster for Koori's country music talent quest and concert. Interview Jimmy Little talking about young and adventurous Aboriginals convincing the older council men and women that they must reach out and share their culture. Still b&w photograph Jimmy with group from Eora. B&W photo Jimmy performing with group of musicians from Eora. Interview Jimmy, 1997, about liaison between rural boundaries and other channels.
Access No. 132326 | 37 secs | 1980s | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
1989 B&W poster for play ÒBlack CockatoosÓ at Belvoir St Theatre. Still b&w photograph Jimmy Little with beard and a young actor performing in play ÒBlack CockatoosÓ. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, in recording studio talking about disappointment when some of his Aboriginal countrymen think that he has not been fighting for Aboriginal rights, which he does without announcement. B&W photo Jimmy Little and band performing on stage. B&W photo Jimmy laughing with three Aboriginal members of the Glebe Dance Theatre Group, Sydney, Jimmy shaking hands with one man.
Access No. 132327 | 22 secs | 1980s | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about his work on the reconciliation program. Still b&w photograph Jimmy Little and Lord Mayor (?), Jimmy raising the Aboriginal flag, Leichhardt Town Hall, 1991. Colour photo Jimmy and wife Marj holding an award, both dressed in red. Interview Jimmy about not wanting to write any political songs, his own feelings for peace, love and harmony.
Access No. 132328 | 53 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |
Archival colour footage 1989 music clip Jimmy Little singing ÒBeautiful WomanÓ, VS young woman walking along street, Jimmy singing with guitar to various women. Super. VS faces of women and girls, Jimmy singing, boy offers flowers to girl who rejects them. Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about racism being fear of the unknown, valuing qualities of the interior rather than exterior. Archival colour television news footage, 1994 Jimmy Little performing at showcase, newsreader voiceover, Jimmy standing up to receive award for country music roll of renown in Tamworth, NSW.
Access No. 132329 | 1 min 33 secs | 1980s | Australia | © ABC Television | Colour |
Interview Jimmy Little, 1997, talking about being a country artist and a non country artist, then emerging as an Aboriginal musician, including music from Aboriginal cultural background on his latest CD. Still b&w photograph Jimmy Little as youth wearing hat and vest. Interview Jimmy about boyhood memories of Aboriginal culture and being inspired by this, being a Yorta Yorta man, the clan of his mother.
Access No. 132330 | 1 min 59 secs | Various | Australia | © Jimmy Little | Colour |