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Caddie

Caddie's Feminist Legacy

A legacy of empowerment

Adam Blackshaw

The success of Caddie (1976) was surprising, even to those who worked so hard on bringing the story to life. Read about the success of the film and listen to producer Tony Buckley reflecting on the film’s significance in 2016, 40 years after its premiere.

The toast of the town

Caddie premiered in April 1976 and was hugely popular. The film ran for 54 weeks on one screen in Sydney alone. Critically the film was also very well received.

The joy of success is wonderfully captured on the faces of Donald Crombie (left), actor Simon Burke (centre) and producer Anthony Buckley (right) in this clipping from The Australian, 10 October 1977. NFSA title: 733955

Romola Costantino in The Sun Herald (11 April 1976) wrote, ‘Caddie is a fascinating, outstanding film’, echoing the praise of many critics.

In 1976 the Australian Film Institute (AFI) honoured Helen Morse with the Best Actress award.

Other AFI Awards went to Drew Forsythe for Best Supporting Actor while Melissa Jaffer and Jacki Weaver shared the Best Supporting Actress prize.

The Australian Cinematographers Society awarded Peter James the Cinematographer of the Year award in 1977.

That same year the San Sebastián International Film Festival gave the Best Actress award to Helen Morse and the Special Prize of the Jury to Donald Crombie.

Caddie was also selected to open the San Francisco Film Festival.

The gallery below features lobby cards promoting the release of Caddie in Australian cinemas, 1976.

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Caddie lobby card with Helen Morse as Caddie serving beer on a tray in a pub.

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Caddie (1976) lobby card featuring Helen Morse as Caddie. NFSA title: 374729

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Caddie lobby card with Jacki Weaver as Josie and Helen Morse as Caddie behind the bar in a pub talking to a rough looking customer.

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Caddie (1976) lobby card featuring Jacki Weaver (left, as Josie) and Helen Morse (as Caddie). NFSA title: 374106

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Caddie lobby card woth Helen Morse as Caddie in bed looking pensive with her two on screen children sleeping besdie her

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Caddie (1976) lobby card featuring Helen Morse as Caddie. NFSA title: 374096

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Loobt card from Caddie with Jack Thompson as Ted looking very happy dancing with Helen Morse as Caddie.

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Caddie (1976) lobby card featuring Jack Thompson as Ted. NFSA title: 374091

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Caddie lobby card with Helen Morse as Caddie and Takis Emmanuel as Peter at an occasional table with the sun streaming through a bay window.

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Caddie (1976) lobby card featuring Helen Morse (Caddie) and Takis Emmanuel (Peter). NFSA title: 374089

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Caddie lobby card lobby card featuring John Ewart as Paddy seated at a table and laughing uncontrollably with and Helen Morse as Caddie.

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Caddie (1976) lobby card featuring John Ewart (as Paddy) and Helen Morse (as Caddie). NFSA title: 374087

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Caddie lobby card with and Takis Emmanuel as Peter holding the hand of Helen Morse as Caddie while they picnic in a park by a pond.

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Caddie (1976) lobby card featuring Helen Morse (Caddie) and Takis Emmanuel (Peter). NFSA title: 374080

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Caddie lobby card with Jack Thompson as Ted about to kiss Helen Morse as Caddie.

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Caddie (1976) lobby card featuring Jack Thompson (as Ted) with Helen Morse (Caddie). NFSA title: 374038

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Looking back at Caddie

Anthony Buckley AO is a prominent member of the Australian film industry. He edited Age of Consent (1969, starring Helen Mirren and James Mason) and Wake in Fright (1971) before moving into producing.

As well as Caddie, he has produced numerous films, documentaries and television features including Bliss (1985), Dad and Dave: On Our Selection (1995) and Oyster Farmer (2004).

Buckley had to struggle to find financial support for Caddie (1976) at a time when Australian films had never featured a woman as the central protagonist.

In this interview he reflects on the significance of the film during the Australian film renaissance of the 1970s and why he thinks it was so successful:

Interview with Anthony Buckley as he discusses the film, Caddie, 1976

For more Caddie, see Part One for behind-the-scenes images and to hear cast and crew talk about making the film.

1920s