The difference apparent in the films athlete and wannabe star Snowy Baker made, before and after his trip to the 'States to hob nob with Chaplin and Fairbanks, give some idea of the backward state of the Australian industry.
The talents he brought back to make films at home were less than stellar but they proved to be skilled. In comparison with ENEMIES WITHIN, THE MAN FROM KANGAROO is quite impressive - well chosen angles, great pacing, competent performances, with an appealing heroine and Baker's stunting showcased effectively. He actually does the drop into the saddle from the veranda roof that they send up in HEARTS OF THE WEST here.
The fact that this is a transplanted cowboy movie, complete with punch up parson, cattle rustlers, stage hold-up and frontier main street and the lack of shaded characters removes MAN FROM KANGAROO from serious consideration but it is passable entertainment and easily superior to the work being done around it.
The talents he brought back to make films at home were less than stellar but they proved to be skilled. In comparison with ENEMIES WITHIN, THE MAN FROM KANGAROO is quite impressive - well chosen angles, great pacing, competent performances, with an appealing heroine and Baker's stunting showcased effectively. He actually does the drop into the saddle from the veranda roof that they send up in HEARTS OF THE WEST here.
The fact that this is a transplanted cowboy movie, complete with punch up parson, cattle rustlers, stage hold-up and frontier main street and the lack of shaded characters removes MAN FROM KANGAROO from serious consideration but it is passable entertainment and easily superior to the work being done around it.