Jon Stephen Cleary (22 November 191719 July 2010) was an Australian writer and novelist. He wrote numerous books, including '' The Sundowners'' (1951), a portrait of a rural family in the 1920s as they move from one job to the next, and '' The High Commissioner'' (1966), the first of a long series of popular detective fiction works featuring Sydney Police Inspector Scobie Malone. A number of Cleary's works have been the subject of film and television adaptations.

Early life and war service

Early life

Cleary was born in Erskineville,

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

and educated at Marist Brothers College, Randwick. When he was ten his father spent six months in

Long Bay Gaol The Long Bay Correctional Complex, commonly called Long Bay, is a correctional facility comprising a heritage-listed maximum and minimum security prison for males and females and a hospital to treat prisoners, psychiatric cases and remandees, loc ...

for stealing five pounds. Debt collectors took everything in the Cleary household "except a piano and my mother's double bed", said Cleary. "I remember sitting on the steps with Mum, who was weeping bitterly, and she said, 'Don't ever owe anything to anybody.' That sticks with you, and it's why I gained a justifiable reputation for being tight with money." However he added that "the night after we were repossessed, our friends turned up with chairs, an old table, cakes, sandwiches – they were all battlers but they helped out." Cleary left school in 1932, aged 14, to help his family financially. He spent the following eight years doing a variety of jobs, notably as a commercial artist for Austral Toon under Eric Porter. He wrote his first story in 1938 at the request of Joe Morley, a journalist friend of Cleary's father. It was a piece about being unemployed which Cleary did not finish because he thought it was self-pitying but he found he did enjoy the process of writing.

War service

Cleary enlisted in the Australian army on 27 May 1940 and served in the Middle East before being transferred to the Military History Unit. He served for a time in

New Guinea New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; id, Papua, or , historically ) is the world's second-largest island with an area of . Located in Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the island is separated from Australia by the wide Torr ...

, where his clerk was Lee Robinson, and was discharged on 10 October 1945 with the rank of lieutenant.

Writing career

Early stories

Cleary began writing regularly in the army, selling his first story in 1940. The following year he won £50 prize writing a story for the ''Daily Mirror''. It was killed by the censor but the newspaper hired Cleary to write a weekly story. He began also to write for ''The Australian Journal'', whose editor sent four of Cleary's short stories to American agent Paul Reynolds, who began selling them to American magazines such as ''Cosmopolitan'' and ''The Saturday Evening Post.'' and in 1945 won equal first prize in a competition for the ABC for his radio play '' Safe Horizon''. In 1946 a collection of his short stories was published called ''

These Small Glories ''These Small Glories'' was a collection of short stories by Australian author Jon Cleary Jon Stephen Cleary (22 November 191719 July 2010) was an Australian writer and novelist. He wrote numerous books, including '' The Sundowners'' (1951) ...

''.

''You Can't See 'Round Corners''

Cleary's first novel was the 1947 work, '' You Can't See 'Round Corners'', about the life of an army deserter wanted for the sensational murder of his girlfriend in wartime Sydney. Cleary started writing this in the army and finished it on board a ship en route to London where he had hoped to find work as a screenwriter. Instead he worked as a journalist for the Australia News and Information Bureau from 1948 to 50, a job he continued in New York from 1950 to 51. He continued writing short stories and novels. His second novel, '' The Long Shadow'' (1949) was a thriller, a genre he tackled at the suggestion of his editor

Graham Greene Henry Graham Greene (2 October 1904 – 3 April 1991) was an English writer and journalist regarded by many as one of the leading English novelists of the 20th century. Combining literary acclaim with widespread popularity, Greene acquir ...

. ''

Just Let Me Be ''Just Let Me Be'' is a 1950 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary. It was his third published full-length novel. Premise Joe Brennan, an ex-serviceman, returns home to Coogee after World War II. He gets a job as a milkman and intends to make ...

'' (1950) was set in Coogee, and was later filmed for British TV.

''The Sundowners''

While in New York Cleary wrote his fourth published novel, '' The Sundowners'', based on stories of his father. It was published in 1952 and sold three million copies, enabling Cleary to write full-time. Cleary lived in Italy for a year then returned home to Australia in 1953 after seven years away. His fifth novel, ''

The Climate of Courage ''The Climate of Courage'' is a 1954 novel by Australian writer Jon Cleary. It was his fifth published novel. It is set during World War II and involves a group of Australian soldiers who have returned from service in the Middle East. Premise Th ...

'' (1954), was based on his war experiences and sold well in Australia and Britain. He visited the Kimberley region in 1954, and the result was ''

Justin Bayard ''Justin Bayard'' is a 1955 novel by Australian author Jon Cleary about a policeman working in the Kimberley region. It was Cleary's sixth novel. Plot Justin Bayard is a mounted policeman in the Kimberley escorting an aboriginal warrior, Emu Foo ...

'' (1955) (later filmed as ''

Dust in the Sun ''Dust in the Sun'' is a 1958 Australian mystery film adapted from the 1955 novel ''Justin Bayard'' by Jon Cleary and produced by the team of Lee Robinson and Chips Rafferty. The film stars British actress Jill Adams and an indigenous-Austral ...

'' (1958)).

International writer

Cleary then went back to live in London. His novels became increasingly set in countries other than Australia, with Cleary travelling extensively for the purposes of research. "I realised at 40 I did not have the intellectual depth to be the writer I would like to be, so I determined to be as good a craftsman as I might be", Cleary said later on.Murray Waldren, 'Jon Cleary: Character Builder' ''The Weekend Australian'' 1998
/ref> He had written a book about Australian politics, ''The Mayor's Nest'', but his English publisher was worried it would not appeal to an international audience, and suggested a book on motor racing. Cleary had lived in Italy and become familiar with the motor races there. He wrote ''

The Green Helmet ''The Green Helmet'' is a 1961 British drama film directed by Michael Forlong starring Bill Travers, Ed Begley and Sid James. The film is centred on a British motor racing team. It is based on a 1957 novel by Australian author Jon Cleary. ...

'' in Spain in twenty days, and it became a best seller on its publication in 1957. Cleary also wrote the script for the 1961 film version. He contributed to the script for ''

The Siege of Pinchgut ''The Siege of Pinchgut'' (released in the US as ''Four Desperate Men'') is a 1959 British thriller filmed on location in Sydney, Australia, and directed by Harry Watt. It was the last film produced by Ealing Studios, and was entered into the ...

'' (1959) and helped rewrite the script to '' The Sundowners'' (1960) but his focus remained on novels: ''

Back of Sunset ''Back of Sunset'' is a 1959 Australian novel from Jon Cleary. Premise It is about Dr Stephen McCabe, Sydney doctor who takes a working holiday with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia. When the doctor who runs the practice is ...

'' (1959) was about the Australian Flying Doctors service; ''

Strike Me Lucky ''Strike Me Lucky'' is a 1934 Australian comedy musical film starring popular stage comic Roy Rene in his first and only film. It was the fourth feature film from Cinesound Productions but proved a box office disappointment. Director Ken G. Hall s ...

'' (1959) was credited solely to his wife Joy but had been reworked by Cleary; '' North from Thursday'' (1960) was set in New Guinea; '' The Country of Marriage'' (1962) was set in England; '' Forests of the Night'' (1963) was set in Burma; ''

A Flight of Chariots ''A Flight of Chariots'' is a 1963 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary about two friends who fly planes during the Berlin Airlift and Korean War then become involved in the space program.

'' (1963) was about astronauts; ''

The Fall of an Eagle ''The Fall of an Eagle'' is a 1965 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary set in Anatolia. The hero is an American engineer building a dam. At one stage producer Audrey Baring was going to make a movie out of the book but although Cleary d ...

'' (1965) was set in Anatolia; ''

The Pulse of Danger ''The Pulse of Danger'' is a 1966 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary. It is set in Bhutan with the background of the Sino-Indian War. A small group of Western botanists have just finished an expedition and are returning to India where ...

'' (1966) was set in Bhutan. He had time for script work, contributing to the screenplay for '' Damon and Pythias'' (1962) and writing an un-used draft for ''

The Diamond Smugglers ''The Diamond Smugglers'' is a non-fiction work by Ian Fleming that was first published in 1957 in the United Kingdom and in 1958 in the United States. The book is based on two weeks of interviews Fleming undertook with John Collard, a member o ...

''.

Scobie Malone

While in London, Cleary got the idea for a book about an Australian detective who has to arrest the Australian High Commissioner. '' The High Commissioner'' (1966) introduced the world to detective Scobie Malone although initially it was meant to be a stand-alone book. The novel sold well and was turned into a film ''

Nobody Runs Forever ''Nobody Runs Forever'', also called ''The High Commissioner'', is a 1968 British political neo noir spy thriller action film directed by Ralph Thomas and based on Jon Cleary's 1966 novel '' The High Commissioner''. It stars Rod Taylor as Aust ...

'' (1968). Cleary followed it with ''

The Long Pursuit ''The Long Pursuit'' is a 1967 novel written by the Australian author Jon Cleary. The novel concerns the escape of a group of survivors from the Battle of Singapore in the Second World War, including a British soldier, an American engineer, ...

'' (1967), set during World War II, originally written as a film script. In 1966 Cleary returned to Australia after three years abroad and sold his Pittwater House to buy one at Kirribilli. He said "I'm a professional craftsman and I should be judged on those standards. I like to think I'm a little better than a potboiler. If I was a pot boiler I would never take off eight months to write a novel." Cleary said 50% of his screenplays had been filmed by that stage and that he had recently turned down $50,000 to write a TV series set in the South Pacific. "Financially I could retire, mentally I couldn't," he said. He was working on a "social comedy" called ''The Ballad of Fingal McBride''. He then wrote ''

Season of Doubt ''Season of Doubt'' is a 1968 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary set in Beirut. Cleary and his wife researched the novel by traveling extensively through the city.

'' (1968), set in Beirut, and ''

Remember Jack Hoxie ''Remember Jack Hoxie'' is a 1969 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary. It was a deliberate departure from the author after writing a series of adventure novels, being set in the world of pop music. Plot An insurance adjuster accompanies ...

'' (1969), set in the world of pop music.

Return to Australia

In the 1970s, Cleary returned to Sydney to live permanently, buying a block of land at Kirribilli opposite the

Sydney Opera House The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney. Located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, it is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th-century architec ...

, next to businessman Eric McClintock. Cleary built a house on this block and it became his home for the rest of his life. During the 1970s and 1980s Cleary continued to travel two months of the year to research his novels. He wanted to write about the Opera House so Scobie Malone returned for ''

Helga's Web ''Helga's Web'' was a 1970 novel by Australian author Jon Cleary, the second to feature his detective hero Scobie Malone. Cleary did not originally intend to use the character again but wanted to write about the construction of the new Sydney O ...

'' (1970), which was later filmed (Cleary wrote a script which was not used). '' Mask of the Andes'' (1971) was set in Bolivia and ''

Man's Estate ''Man's Estate'' is a 1972 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary set in the world of the British upper class. It is about a conservative British politician who survives World War II, the King David Hotel bombing, a Mau Mau attack and a h ...

'' (1972) among the British upper class. Cleary returned to Scobie Malone for ''

Ransom Ransom is the practice of holding a prisoner or item to extort money or property to secure their release, or the sum of money involved in such a practice. When ransom means "payment", the word comes via Old French ''rançon'' from Latin ''red ...

'' (1973), set in New York, but then stopped writing about the detective as he did not wish to be trapped as a writer. He did ''

Peter's Pence Peter's Pence (or ''Denarii Sancti Petri'' and "Alms of St Peter") are donations or payments made directly to the Holy See of the Catholic Church. The practice began under the Saxons in England and spread through Europe. Both before and after the ...

'' (1974) a thriller; ''

The Safe House ''The Safe House'' is a 1975 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary about the fate of Jews and Nazis after World War II. Cleary did a huge amount of research for the novel involving extensive travel. References External links *The novel ...

'' (1975), about World War II; ''

A Sound of Lightning ''A Sound of Lightning'' is a 1976 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary

'' (1976), set in Montana. He also wrote the screenplay for ''

Sidecar Racers ''Sidecar Racers'' is a 1975 Australian film about an Australian motorcycle rider (John Clayton) who teams up with an American surfer ( Ben Murphy) to take part in a motorcycle racing tournament. Plot Jeff Rayburn, an American surfer visiting Aus ...

'' (1975). Cleary had a big-selling success with ''

High Road to China High Road to China or The High Road to China may refer to: * ''High Road to China'' (novel), a 1977 novel by Jon Cleary * ''High Road to China'' (film), a 1983 American adventure film based on Cleary's novel * ''The High Road to China'' (book), ...

'' (1977), an adventure story later filmed in 1982. '' Vortex'' (1978) was about tornados; ''

The Beaufort Sisters ''The Beaufort Sisters'' is a 1979 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary about four wealthy sisters from Kansas. Kerry Packer wanted to have it adapted into a mini series but although scripts were written no show resulted.A Very Private War ''A Very Private War'' is a 1980 novel by Australian writer Jon Cleary about coastwatchers during World War II. Plot Mullane, an American coast watcher in New Britain, goes on a mission to uncover the camouflage of the airstrip of a Japanese ba ...

'' (1980) was about coastwatchers in World War II; ''

The Faraway Drums ''The Faraway Drums'' is a 1981 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary about an American journalist and British intelligence officer who try to stop the assassination of King George V at the 1911 Delhi Durbar. Film rights were sold but aba ...

'' (1981) was about a plot to assassinate

King George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. Born during the reign of his grandmother Q ...

; ''

The Golden Sabre ''The Golden Sabre'' is a 1981 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary. During the Russian Revolution of 1917, an American mining engineer and English governess flee across country.

'' (1982) was set during the 1917 Russian Revolution; '' Spearfield's Daughter'' (1983) was later filmed as a mini series; ''

The Phoenix Tree ''The Phoenix Tree'' is the third EP from Japanese post-rock band Mono. It was released in April 2007 through Temporary Residence Limited. It is part of a collection of EP's released by Temporary Residence Limited, Travels in Constants Travels ...

'' (1984) was set in Japan during World War II; '' The City of Fading Light'' (1985) was set in 1939 Berlin.

Return of Scobie Malone

After Cleary's daughter's death from

breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or ...

in 1987, and his wife's subsequent ill health he travelled less.

Susan Geason Susan Dorothy Geason (born 1946) is an Australian writer of fiction and non-fiction for adults and teenagers. Born in New Norfolk, Tasmania, to Urban James and Joan Susan (née Oakford) Geason, she grew up in Queensland and graduated from the U ...

, "Jon Cleary: A Fortunate Life", ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', 6 December 1992, p. 111 Writing the Scobie Malone series of novels enabled him to tell Australian stories which appealed to an international audience, and he remained popular with readers throughout his career. Malone returned in '' Dragons at the Party'' (1987), about the Australian Bicentennial, then was in '' Now and Then, Amen'' (1988), ''

Babylon South ''Babylon South'' is a 1989 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary. It was the sixth book featuring Sydney homicide detective Scobie Malone, and deals with Malone coming across an old case of his - the 1966 disappearance of the head of ASIO ...

'' (1989), '' Murder Song'' (1990), '' Pride's Harvest'' (1991), '' Dark Summer'' (1992), '' Bleak Spring'' (1993), ''

Autumn Maze ''Autumn Maze'' is a 1994 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary. It was the eleventh book featuring Sydney detective Scobie Malone Scobie Malone is a fictional Sydney homicide detective created by Australian novelist Jon Cleary. History Name ...

'' (1994), ''

Winter Chill ''Winter Chill'' is a 1995 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary Jon Stephen Cleary (22 November 191719 July 2010) was an Australian writer and novelist. He wrote numerous books, including '' The Sundowners'' (1951), a portrait of a rural ...

'' (1995), ''

Endpeace ''Endpeace'' is a 1996 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary. It was the thirteenth book featuring Sydney detective Scobie Malone. Plot The book starts with Scovie attending a dinner party held by a publishing tycoon. During the night the tycoo ...

'' (1996), ''

A Different Turf ''A Different Turf'' is a 1997 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary, the fourteenth book featuring Sydney detective Scobie Malone. A series of gay bashings have taken place throughout Sydney and someone is murdering the culprits. Cleary explor ...

'' (1997), ''

Five Ring Circus ''Five Ring Circus'' is a 1998 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary. It was the fifteenth book featuring Sydney detective Scobie Malone and involves his investigation into a financial scam in the lead up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics. References ...

'' (1998), '' Dilemma'' (1999), '' Bear Pit'' (2000), ''

Yesterday's Shadow ''Yesterday's Shadow'' is a 2001 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary, his 50th over all. It was the eighteenth book featuring Sydney detective Scobie Malone. The plot involves two murders which take place at the same hotel on the same night, o ...

'' (2001), ''

The Easy Sin ''The Easy Sin'' is a 2002 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary. It was the nineteenth (and penultimate) book featuring Sydney detective Scobie Malone. The plot concerns the murder of a housemaid to a dot com millionaire. Kidnappers thought the ...

'' (2002) and ''

Degrees of Connection ''Degrees of Connection'' is a 2004 Ned Kelly Award-winning novel by the Australian author Jon Cleary. It was the 20th and last entry in the Scobie Malone series. Cleary decided to stop writing crime novels because he felt he was getting stale. ...

'' (2004). He then wound up the series, feeling he was getting stale.

Final novels

He published three more novels, all set in Australia: ''

Miss Ambar Regrets ''Miss Ambar Regrets'' is a 2004 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary, the first new work he published since 1987 which was not a Scobie Malone novel. The story revolves around a romance between an aspiring actress and a TV journalist. "I like ...

'' (2004), ''

Morning's Gone ''Morning's Gone'' is a 2006 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary about Matt Durban, an Australian Labor Party politician who is challenging for his party's leadership. Cleary originally wanted to write a purely political novel but then devel ...

'' (2006) and ''

Four-Cornered Circle ''Four-Cornered Circle'' is a 2007 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary, the last published prior to his death in 2010. The plot revolves around two sisters, one of whom develops feelings for the other's husband. The story is told from t ...

'' (2007), then retired.

Personal life

Cleary met his wife Joy on his boat trip to England in 1946 and married her five days after they landed. They had two daughters, Catherine and Jane, the latter of whom died of breast cancer at age 37, predeceasing both of her parents. Joy Cleary developed Alzheimer's disease and went to live in a nursing home prior to her death in 2003."Jon Cleary", ''The Book Show – Radio National'', 26 February 2006
/ref>"I was very, very lucky", said Cleary of his marriage. "We were in love from the day we met to the day we – sorry, I mean she – died." Cleary was good friends with fellow writers Morris West and Alexander Baron. He was a regular churchgoer, attending Mass every Sunday. For the last three years of his life, he was in ill-health, attended by a full-time carer, and in and out of hospital with heart problems. He died on 19 July 2010, aged 92. The eulogy at his funeral was delivered by his friend and neighbour Sir

Eric McClintock Sir Eric Paul McClintock (13 September 1918 – 27 March 2018) was an Australian public servant and businessman. He was notable for serving as chairman of Woolworths Limited from 1980 to 1987. Early life McClintock was born on 13 September 1918 ...

Assessment

During his lifetime, Cleary was one of the most popular Australian authors of all time. According to Murray Waldren, "his own assessment was that he lacked a poetic eye but had an eye for colour and composition and was strong on narrative and dialogue. And he took pride in the research underpinning his works." Cleary once stated that the book which had most influenced him was '' The Power and the Glory'' by

. "He caught perfectly the almost heroism of a man who would have been shocked to hear that he was an hero ... I've always said that Greene could say more in one phrase than most writers in a chapter."

Awards

*1944 – Australian Broadcasting Commission prize for radio drama (''Safe Horizon'') *1950 – Australian Literary Society's Crouch Medal for Best Australian Novel (''

'') *1975 – Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Novel (''

'') *1996 – Australian Crime Writers Association Lifetime Achievement Award *1996 –

Ned Kelly Award The Ned Kelly Awards (named for bushranger Ned Kelly) are Australia's leading literary awards for crime writing in both the crime fiction and true crime genres. They were established in 1996 by the Crime Writers Association of Australia to rewa ...

for Lifelong Contribution to the Crime, Mystery and Detective Genres *2004 –

for Best Novel (''

'')

Bibliography

Scobie Malone novels

*'' The High Commissioner'' (1966) *''

'' (1970) *''

'' (1973) *'' Dragons at the Party'' (1987) *'' Now and Then, Amen'' (1988) *''

'' (1989) *'' Murder Song'' (1990) *'' Pride's Harvest'' (1991) *'' Dark Summer'' (1992) *'' Bleak Spring'' (1993) *''

'' (1994) *''

'' (1995) *''

'' (1996) *''

'' (1997) *''

'' (1998) *'' Dilemma'' (1999) *'' Bear Pit'' (2000) *''

'' (2001) *''

'' (2002) *''

'' (2003)

Other novels

*'' You Can't See 'Round Corners'' (1947) *'' The Long Shadow'' (1949) *''

'' (1950) *'' The Sundowners'' (1952) *''

'' (1954) *''

'' (1955) (aka ''Dust in the Sun'') *''

'' (1957) *''

'' (1959) *''

'' (1959) – co-wrote (uncredited) with his wife Joy *'' North From Thursday'' (1960) *'' The Country of Marriage'' (1962) *'' Forests of the Night'' (1963) *''

'' (1963) *''

'' (1964) *''

'' (1966) *''

'' (1967) *''

Season of Doubt ''Season of Doubt'' is a 1968 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary set in Beirut. Cleary and his wife researched the novel by traveling extensively through the city.

'' (1968) *''

'' (1969) *'' Mask of the Andes'' (1971) (aka ''The Liberators'') *''

'' (1972) (aka ''The Ninth Marquess'') *''

'' (1974) *''

'' (1975) *''

A Sound of Lightning ''A Sound of Lightning'' is a 1976 novel written by Australian author Jon Cleary

'' (1976) *''

'' (1977) *'' Vortex'' (1978) *''

'' (1980) *''

'' (1981) *''

'' (1981) *'' Spearfield's Daughter'' (1982) *''

'' (1984) *'' The City of Fading Light'' (1985) *''You, the Jury'' (1990) (reprint of 1950 ''Just Let Me Be'') *''

'' (2004) *''

'' (2006) *''

'' (2007)

Short stories

*''The Way Out'' (1942) *''Remember?'' (1943) *''A Long Time Dying'' (1943) *''Clouds in the Sun'' (1943) *''Idyll in Havoc'' (1943) *''Safe Horizon'' (1943) *''Hullo, Joe'' (1944) *''I'd Like to Be There at the Finish'' (1944) *''Who Pays?'' (1944) *''Death Comes Slowly'' (1944) *''Title Bout'' (1945) *''Brandy Martin and My Old Man'' (1945) *''My Heart is Dead and Gone'' *''Some Day I May Come Home Again'' (1945) *''These Small Glories'' (1946) – a collection of his short stories *''Late Date'' (1946) *''The Stranger'' (1946) *''See You on the Bus'' (1946) *''Sundowner on the Skylin'' (1946) *''A Time Together'' *''Pillar of Salt'' (1951) *''The Outsider'' (1951) *''No Taste for Trouble'' (1954) *''Man from Carolina'' (1958) *''Friendly Enemies'' (1961) *''Pillar of Salt and other Stories'' (1963) – collection

Films

*''

'' (''Justin Bayard'') (1958), starring Jill Adams and Ken Wayne – original novel only *''

'' (1959) – screenplay only *'' The Sundowners'' (1960), starring Robert Mitchum, Deborah Kerr, Glynis Johns, and

Peter Ustinov Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov (born Peter Alexander Freiherr von Ustinov ; 16 April 192128 March 2004) was a British actor, filmmaker and writer. An internationally known raconteur, he was a fixture on television talk shows and lecture circuits ...

– based on his novel, did uncredited rewrite on script *''

'' (1961), starring Bill Travers, Ed Begley, and Sid James – based on his novel, wrote script *''Strike Me Lucky'' (1961) – unfilmed script based on his novel *'' Damon and Pythias'' (1962) – uncredited contribution to script *''The Sea Lab'' (1963) – unfilmed script based on his short story *''A Restful Change'' (1960s) – unfilmed script *''

'' (1964) – unfilmed script based on book by

Ian Fleming Ian Lancaster Fleming (28 May 1908 – 12 August 1964) was a British writer who is best known for his postwar ''James Bond'' series of spy novels. Fleming came from a wealthy family connected to the merchant bank Robert Fleming & Co., a ...

*''The Belles of Long Ago'' (1965) – unfilmed treatment *''

'' (''The High Commissioner'') (1968), starring

Rod Taylor Rodney Sturt Taylor (11 January 1930 – 7 January 2015) was an Australian actor. He appeared in more than 50 feature films, including ''The Time Machine'' (1960), ''One Hundred and One Dalmatians'' (1961), '' The Birds'' (1963), and ''In ...

, Christopher Plummer, Lilli Palmer and Camilla Sparv – based on his novel only *''Season of Doubt'' – unfilmed script based on his novel *'' You Can't See 'round Corners'' (1969) (adaptation of television series), starring Ken Shorter, Rowena Wallace and Carmen Duncan – based on his novel *''

'' (1975) – screenplay only *'' Scobie Malone'' (1975), starring Jack Thompson, Judy Morris, and Shane Porteous – film based on his novel ''Helga's Web'' (Cleary wrote a script that was not used.) *''A Summer of Roses'' (1970s) – unfilmed script *''The Climb'' (1970s) – unfilmed script *''Pirate and Son'' (1977) – unfilmed treatment for Burt Lancaster *''Foreign Territory'' – unfilmed script *''The Roundabout Road'' – unfilmed script *''An End to glory'' – unfilmed script adapted from an uncompleted novel *''The Delinquents'' – unfilmed treatment based on the novel by Kylie Tennant *''Seven Days at the Silbersteins'' *''

'' (1983), starring Bess Armstrong and

Tom Selleck Thomas William Selleck (; born January 29, 1945) is an American actor. His breakout role was playing private investigator Thomas Magnum in the television series '' Magnum, P.I.'' (1980–1988), for which he received five Emmy Award nominations ...

– based on his novel only

TV

*''Just Let Me Be'' (1957) – Cleary did the adaptation of his novel *'' Bus Stop'' (1961) – two episodes *'' You Can't See 'Round Corners'' (1967), starring Ken Shorter, John Armstrong, Rowena Wallace and Carmen Duncan – based on his novel only *''Spearfield's Daughter'' (1986) (mini series), starring Christopher Plummer, Nancy Marchand, Kim Braden and

Steve Railsback Stephen Railsback is an American theatre, film, and television actor. He is best known for his performances in the films ''The Stunt Man'' and Lifeforce (film), ''Lifeforce'', and his portrayal of Charles Manson in the 1976 television mini-series ...

– based on his novel

Radio plays

*''Debut'' (1943) *''Safe Horizon'' (1944)

Plays

*''

'' (1969) – from the novel *''The Trumpets of Home''

Unpublished novels

*story of an AIF soldier who goes overseas (1947) *the story of a father and son in Sydney 1927–47 with the background of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (circa 1947) *''The Mayor's Nest'' (1956) – about Australian politics *''The Vacant Mine'' (1979) – uncompleted novel

References

External links

*
Works
*Jon Cleary Papers at the Mitchell Library, Sydney �
1950–19931962–2003
*

on Radio National
Michael Costigan, 'Jon Cleary: quiet parishioner was a great writer'
'' The Catholic Weekly'', 5 September 2010
Jon Cleary Theatre credits
at AusStage {{DEFAULTSORT:Cleary, Jon 1917 births 2010 deaths 20th-century Australian novelists 20th-century Australian male writers 21st-century Australian novelists Australian crime fiction writers Australian mystery writers Australian male novelists Australian male short story writers Edgar Award winners Ned Kelly Award winners ALS Gold Medal winners 20th-century Australian short story writers 21st-century Australian short story writers 21st-century Australian male writers Australian Army officers Australian Army personnel of World War II Australian Roman Catholics