Squizzy Taylor

Having a "squiz" is Oz slang for looking at something. SQUIZZY TAYLOR is a dark and slightly menacing minor gangster film with a very good cast and well researched production values. Set in the 1920s and part of a time Australian film makers love making films about (KITTY AND THE BAGMAN, CADDIE etc) SQUIZZY TAYLOR was a ratty tough guy not unlike a mini Cagney hoodlum. Atkins, a stage and screen dancer by trade made a strong actor and was convincing enough not to get rapped for this serious attempt. One of the problems with a lot of 70s/80s Oz pix is that our voices come across as squeaky and funny to International audiences. Good voice coaching had never been a big part of many good Australian films and it is often the one major flaw that has never been properly corrected. I would unfortunately suggest that listening to Atkins threaten everyone else here is a bit mousey. It sounds like a high school production of GUYS AND DOLLS. Which is a pity because overall it is a good small gangster film about a real little tough guy who was a real criminal of Australia's sly grog days in the pre depression snazzy 20s. Deserves a DVD release and a new audience. Would probably work quite well to a new generation.