FILM AUSTRALIA COLLECTION

Title Details

Noel Tovey

Noel Tovey survived a childhood of poverty, neglect, sexual abuse and racial prejudice to become a leading light in the arts as an actor, choreographer, writer and theatre director.
Series : Australian Biography Series 10 | Year : 2005 | Total Duration : 26 Minutes | Producer : Rod Freedman
Director : Rod Freedman |
CU actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about drawing on his personal pain and experience to create other characters.
Access No. 143008 | 56 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU photograph of Noel Tovey as a young child with his blond hair hand-tinted into photograph.
Access No. 143009 | 7 secs | 1930s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
CU actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his earliest memories revolving around domestic mayhem.
Access No. 143010 | 5 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W archival footage of woman washing clothes in trough seen from behind and discarded boot.
Access No. 143011 | 14 secs | 1940s | Melbourne, VIC, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Zoom in to crumpled B&W photograph of Noel Tovey's father.
Access No. 143012 | 21 secs | 1930s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
CU actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about performing from a very early age.
Access No. 143013 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W archival footage of children walking down street. Tilt to broken window and bottles on window ledge. Pan around room across beds and holes in the walls.
Access No. 143014 | 19 secs | 1940s | Melbourne, VIC, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his neglected childhood and his relationship with his older sister.
Access No. 143015 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom in to B&W photograph of Noel Tovey dressed in sailor suit.
Access No. 143016 | 10 secs | 1930s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his childhood abuse and neglect.
Access No. 143017 | 54 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W archival footage of man in singlet entering doorway. Pan around room to children. Pan around deserted room with items discarded on floor. GS horse and buggy past camera on street. MS girl pouring water from kettle into glass and high angle view of her stirring drink.
Access No. 143018 | 41 secs | 1940s | Melbourne, VIC, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
CU B&W family welfare paper with zoom into words 'sadly neglected'.
Access No. 143019 | 10 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Public Domain | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his traumatic experiences at the Royal Park Welfare Depot.
Access No. 143020 | 54 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W photograph of Burren Junction railway station.
Access No. 143021 | 7 secs | 1940s | Burren Junction, NSW, Australia | © Patricia Slack-Smith | B&W |
CU guardianship paper with Arthur Challenger's name on it to whom Noel Tovey and his sister with given.
Access No. 143022 | 7 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Public Domain | B&W |
Archival B&W footage of sheep in pens and being loaded onto train with sheep running up ramp. WS steam train with sheep trucks past camera.
Access No. 143023 | 17 secs | 1940s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about the train trips he'd be forced to make as a child from Burren Junction to Sydney.
Access No. 143024 | 11 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival B&W footage of wheels of steam train shot from train compartment and high angle shot over train with steam billowing.
Access No. 143025 | 8 secs | 1940s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his guardian Arthur Challenger's mother.
Access No. 143026 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS B&W photograph of a young Noel Tovey with girls. Zoom out to full photograph of him sitting in line of children at the Far West Children's Home with nurses in attendance.
Access No. 143027 | 4 secs | 1940s | Manly, NSW, Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
Archival B&W footage of the Far West Children's Home showing buildings and high shot over children in the playground. Four children sitting at table being served meal.
Access No. 143028 | 14 secs | 1940s | Manly, NSW, Australia | © Film World | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his stay at the Far West Children's Home in Manly.
Access No. 143029 | 4 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival B&W footage of the Far West Children's Home showing room with children undergoing physiotherapy walking with aids. CU boy in calipers playing marbles on all fours.
Access No. 143030 | 12 secs | 1940s | Manly, NSW, Australia | © Film World | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about the role models he found during his stay at the Far West Children's Home in Manly.
Access No. 143031 | 3 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU B&W photograph of children in classroom with boy putting his hand up in first row and Noel Tovey highlighted in second row. Zoom to Tovey in photograph.
Access No. 143032 | 10 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Public Domain | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about why he wasn't sent back to Burren Junction from the Far West Children's Home.
Access No. 143033 | 21 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU B&W indictment papers served on Arthur Challenger. Pan to CU hand-written sentencing.
Access No. 143034 | 15 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Public Domain | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about adjusting to being sent back to live with his mother in Melbourne as a child.
Access No. 143035 | 5 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W archival footage of boy walking down street past row of terrace houses.
Access No. 143036 | 10 secs | 1940s | Melbourne, VIC, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about living on the streets after being sent back to his mother in Melbourne as a child.
Access No. 143037 | 10 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W archival footage of people walking down street past large terrace building. VS narrow alleyway.
Access No. 143038 | 19 secs | 1940s | Melbourne, VIC, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about the rough street life when he was growing up.
Access No. 143039 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS blurred photograph of Noel Tovey's mother standing in crowd.
Access No. 143040 | 13 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his racial descent and being vilified for being Aboriginal.
Access No. 143041 | 14 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU B&W photograph of Noel Tovey as a young man.
Access No. 143042 | 13 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his introduction to the theatre. involvement in a party at Max Du Barry's house.
Access No. 143043 | 9 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom in to B&W photograph of Noel Tovey on stage in ballet with female partner. Tovey lifting ballet partner on stage. Zoom in to B&W portrait of Tovey as a young man.
Access No. 143044 | 23 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
B&W newspaper clipping showing photograph of Max Du Barry in female clothing. Zoom in to his face.
Access No. 143045 | 11 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Public Domain | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about being arrested at a party at Max Du Barry's house.
Access No. 143046 | 6 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU B&W photograph of Noel Tovey as a young man.
Access No. 143047 | 13 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about being interrogated after being arrested at a party at Max Du Barry's house.
Access No. 143048 | 6 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU newspaper clipping titled "Du Barry NO Lady" and ECUs to paragraphs naming Noel Tovey (then Morton) in the article. Newspaper headline "Found Guilty".
Access No. 143049 | 18 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Public Domain | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about being abused at Pentridge prison.
Access No. 143050 | 4 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
WS B&W photograph of Pentridge prison entrance.
Access No. 143051 | 1950s | Australia | © Newspix | B&W |
B&W photograph of prison guard at gate with keys unlocking door inside Pentridge prison.
Access No. 143052 | 13 secs | 1960s | Australia | © Unknown | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about being abused at Pentridge prison.
Access No. 143053 | 5 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W photograph of guards standing in Pentridge prison corridor and tilt to upper level.
Access No. 143054 | 11 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Newspix | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his revelation in prison.
Access No. 143055 | 11 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom out from B&W photograph of Noel Tovey as a young man standing with two young women. CU B&W photo of Tovey as a young man.
Access No. 143056 | 17 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about changing his name from Morton to Tovey.
Access No. 143057 | 7 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom out from B&W photograph of Noel Tovey as a young man standing with a group of young people. Zoom in to Tovey in photograph.
Access No. 143058 | 10 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
Zoom in to B&W photograph of Noel Tovey on stage with woman.
Access No. 143059 | 7 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Copyright Unknown | B&W |
Pan across B&W photograph of Noel Tovey on stage dancing with woman. Zoom out from Tovey appearing in children's television program as pirate with fellow performers.
Access No. 143060 | 19 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about the persona of Rowan Scott-Rowan he invented for himself.
Access No. 143061 | 20 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W excerpt from television program "Hot Potato Boys".
Access No. 143062 | 18 secs | 1950s | Australia | © ABC Content Sales | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about inventing stories about himself as he grew up.
Access No. 143063 | 34 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W photograph of Noel Tovey as a young man with two women.
Access No. 143064 | 10 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about going to England and escaping his past.
Access No. 143065 | 10 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W photograph of Noel Tovey's bride Barbara and bridesmaid and MS wedding photograph of Tovey and Barbara being pelted with confetti.
Access No. 143066 | 12 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about marrying and having a child.
Access No. 143067 | 4 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom in to MS B&W photograph of Noel Tovey's and wife Barbara with young baby. CU baby.
Access No. 143068 | 14 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his regrets about the marriage.
Access No. 143069 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Tilt up B&W photograph of Noel Tovey posing on fire escape stairs.
Access No. 143070 | 7 secs | 1950s | London, England, UK | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
Pan across B&W publicity still for the London production of "The Boyfriend" featuring main cast.
Access No. 143071 | 12 secs | 1950s | London, England, UK | © CGS MacPherson & Co | B&W |
B&W publicity still for the London production of "The Boyfriend" featuring Noel Tovey dancing the tango with female partner.
Access No. 143072 | 9 secs | 1950s | London, England, UK | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his debut at choreographing and directing
Access No. 143073 | 2 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W CU of Noel Tovey and woman.
Access No. 143074 | 7 secs | 1960s | London, England, UK | © Sunday Express | B&W |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his reputation for being difficult to work with.
Access No. 143075 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU B&W graphic for the London production of "Oh! Calcutta".
Access No. 143076 | 9 secs | 1960s | London, England, UK | © Somerford Productions | B&W |
MS B&W photograph of Noel Tovey performing.
Access No. 143077 | 11 secs | 1950s | London, England, UK | © Michael Childers | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his involvement in the stage production of Oh! Calcutta.
Access No. 143078 | 21 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W publicity still for the London production of "Oh! Calcutta" with a naked man and woman. Pan across to German magazine article with accompanying photograph of Noel Tovey with naked man and woman.
Access No. 143079 | 11 secs | 1960s | London, England, UK | © Copyright unknown | B&W |
B&W newspaper article with the headline "S.A. uproar over nude show" with article about Oh! Calcutta and photographs of Noel Tovey and others from the production. Zoom in to photograph of Tovey.
Access No. 143080 | 9 secs | 1970s | Australia | © Newspix | B&W |
B&W publicity still for the London production of "Oh! Calcutta".
Access No. 143081 | 7 secs | 1970s | London, England, UK | © Copyright unknown | B&W |
CU B&W newspaper article relating to the staging of the theatre production "Oh! Calcutta". Zoom into photograph with article showing Noel Tovey standing with other performers.
Access No. 143082 | 9 secs | 1970s | Australia | © Copyright Unknown | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about the Australian police plans to close down the stage production of Oh! Calcutta.
Access No. 143083 | 14 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU B&W newspaper headline "Moral laws just a joke" quoting Noel Tovey.
Access No. 143084 | 7 secs | 1970s | Australia | © Copyright Unknown | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about the beginning of his relationship with his partner Dave.
Access No. 143085 | 9 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Colour MS photograph of Noel Tovey's partner Dave. Zoom out to include Tovey in the photograph.
Access No. 143086 | 14 secs | 1970s | London, England, UK | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his relationship with his partner Dave.
Access No. 143087 | 10 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Colour photograph of Noel Tovey's partner Dave with dog. CU photograph of Dave. B&W photograph of high angle shot over crowded art gallery opened by Tovey. CU photograph of art deco statuettes and tilt up to "L'Odeon", the name of Tovey's gallery/shop in London.
Access No. 143088 | 29 secs | 1970s | London, England, UK | © Noel Tovey | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his interest in collecting bronze and ivory statuettes from the 1920s period.
Access No. 143089 | 4 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU art deco statuette from the 1920s period.
Access No. 143090 | 10 secs | 2000s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
Photograph of Clarice Cliff ceramic pieces on display in gallery.
Access No. 143091 | 5 secs | 1970s | Australia | © Copyright unknown | Colour |
Zoom in to photograph of Clarice Cliff art deco ceramic tea set.
Access No. 143092 | 7 secs | 2000s | Australia | © Clarice Cliff Collectors Club | Colour |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about the strain of working together with his partner Dave.
Access No. 143093 | 18 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom in to colour photograph of Noel Tovey's partner Dave wearing a sarong and a hibiscus behind his ear.
Access No. 143094 | 9 secs | 1980s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his partner Dave contracting AIDS.
Access No. 143095 | 7 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom out from colour photograph of Noel Tovey's partner Dave standing in doorway. GS photograph of Dave sitting on arm of armchair.
Access No. 143096 | 16 secs | 1980s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his partner Dave's death.
Access No. 143097 | 31 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
GS then CU of painting of Noel Tovey with his partner Dave.
Access No. 143098 | 13 secs | 1980s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his decision to move back to Australia.
Access No. 143099 | 20 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS photograph of Noel Tovey and female friend at airport. Zoom in to photo of Tovey holding glass of wine.
Access No. 143100 | 16 secs | 1980s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his acceptance of his Aboriginal heritage.
Access No. 143101 | 14 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Colour newspaper article with the headline "Aboriginal Agenda Brings Artist Home" and photograph of Noel Tovey straddling chair on theatre set. Photograph of Tovey at theatre on set with others in background.
Access No. 143102 | 14 secs | 1990s | Australia | © Newspix | Colour |
B&W photograph of Aboriginal actors on stage in theatre production Murras by Eva Johnson.
Access No. 143103 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © EORA College, Sydney Institute of TAFE | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about the problems with the course he helped set up at the Aboriginal college EORA.
Access No. 143104 | 28 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Slow zoom in to colour photograph of Noel Tovey posing on stage at EORA.
Access No. 143105 | 15 secs | 2000s | Australia | © EORA College, Sydney Institute of TAFE | B&W |
Slow zoom out from photograph of Noel Tovey sitting with members of theatre company.
Access No. 143106 | 16 secs | 1980s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his belief in the way to go forward for Aboriginal peoples.
Access No. 143107 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU poster of Aboriginal cast members for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Zoom in to photograph of production still of Midsummer Night's Dream with colourful set.
Access No. 143108 | 18 secs | 2000s | Australia | © Sydney Theatre Company | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about sitting on various committees.
Access No. 143109 | 6 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS photograph of Noel Tovey giving speech in gallery.
Access No. 143110 | 7 secs | 2000s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his views on the successes of the committees he's sat on.
Access No. 143111 | 45 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU B&W photographic portrait of Noel Tovey.
Access No. 143112 | 10 secs | 2000s | Australia | © Alex Craig | B&W |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his mother.
Access No. 143113 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU pan across photograph of relatives to Noel Tovey's mother.
Access No. 143114 | 11 secs | 2000s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his alter ego Rowan Scott-Rowan.
Access No. 143115 | 5 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU photograph of Noel Tovey as a young man.
Access No. 143116 | 10 secs | 2000s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
CU and zoom in to photograph Noel Tovey wearing hat with Aboriginal flag motif on band.
Access No. 143117 | 10 secs | 2000s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his problems with self acceptance when he was younger.
Access No. 143118 | 16 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU and zoom in to colourful postcard with Noel Tovey's photograph on it and title "Homophobia: What are you scared of?".
Access No. 143119 | 9 secs | 2000s | Australia | © Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby | Colour |
Tilt down colour photograph of Noel Tovey standing with young Aboriginal boy.
Access No. 143120 | 9 secs | 2000s | Australia | © Noel Tovey | Colour |
CU interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about countering stigmas.
Access No. 143121 | 16 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Closing credits over footage around rooms in Noel Tovey's apartment, Tovey being seated at his desk and VS artworks.
Access No. 143122 | 42 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about his involvement in a party at Max Du Barry's house.
Access No. 143123 | 5 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS interview with actor, director and choreographer Noel Tovey talking about making the decision to take responsibility for his life when he was in jail.
Access No. 143124 | 11 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |