''Squizzy Taylor'' is a 1982 Australian drama film based on the life of Melbourne gangster,

Squizzy Taylor Joseph Theodore Leslie "Squizzy" Taylor (29 June 1888 – 27 October 1927) was an Australian gangster from Melbourne. He appeared repeatedly and sometimes prominently in Melbourne news media because of suspicions, formal accusations and some co ...

, directed by Kevin James Dobson and starring

David Atkins David Atkins, OAM (born 12 December 1955) is an Australian dancer, choreographer, music-theatre director and producer. Career Stage and television Atkins began his performance career aged 12 with a role in the musical ''Mame''. As an adult p ...

Jacki Weaver Jacqueline Ruth Weaver (born 25 May 1947) is an Australian theatre, film and television actress. Weaver emerged in the 1970s as a symbol of the Australian New Wave through her work in Ozploitation films such as '' Stork'' (1971), ''Alvin Purp ...

and

Alan Cassell Alan Louis Cassell (16 February 1932 – 30 August 2017) was an English Australian actor, on stage, film and television. Personal life Alan Cassell was born in Manchester, England but grew up in Birmingham. Cassell was of a young age when his m ...

Cast

as Det. Brophy *

as Squizzy Taylor *

as Dolly * Robert Hughes as Reg Harvey *

Steve Bisley Steve Bisley (born 26 December 1951) is an Australian writer, film and television actor. He is best known for his roles in the films '' Mad Max'' and ''The Great Gatsby''. On TV, some of his better-known roles include Detective Sergeant Jack C ...

as 'Snowy' Cutmore * Michael Long as Det. Piggott * Kim Lewis as Ida Pender * Cul Cullen as Henry Stokes * Peter Hosking as Angus Murray * Tony Rickards as Dutch * Simon Thorpe as Paddy * Paul Trahair as Young Detective * Peter Paulson as 'Long' Harry Slater * David Scott as 'Bunny' Whiting * Jenni Caffin as Tart with Squizzy

Production

Writer Roger Simpson had been researching the period since he helped adapt ''

Power Without Glory ''Power Without Glory'' is a 1950 historical novel written by Australian author Frank Hardy, following the life and ambitions of John West, a politician born into a working-class family who rises to prominence in Australian federal politics. ...

'' (1976.) The filmmakers also used research done by Nigel Buesst for his film on Squizzy Taylor.Scott Murray, "Kevin Dobson," ''Cinema Papers'', Jan–Feb 1982 p11-13 The film was shot on location in Melbourne. Its critical and commercial response was limited.David Stratton, ''The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry'', Pan MacMillan, 1990 p37

Home media

''Squizzy Taylor'' was released on DVD with a new transfer by Umbrella Entertainment in July 2007. The DVD is compatible with all region codes and includes special features such as the theatrical trailer and a featurette titled '' The Rise and Fall of Squizzy Taylor''.. On 11 November 2012 the film was made available on Umbrella Entertainment Streaming Services.

DVD Releases

Online Streaming

References

External links

Squizzy Taylor at the National Film and Sound Archive
*
''Squizzy Taylor''
at Oz Movies 1982 films Australian crime drama films Australian biographical films Crime films based on actual events Australian independent films Films shot in Melbourne 1982 crime drama films Films scored by Bruce Smeaton Films directed by Kevin James Dobson 1980s English-language films 1980s Australian films 1982 independent films {{crime-drama-film-stub