Once a Jolly Swagman

A worthy movie set during WWII and focuses on a famous speedway motorcycle rider and his comeback after injuries suffered in war. Also, some romance thrown in to make the hero motivated and make everything turn out right. As I remember it quite well, I can't begin to guess where the aka title "Maniacs on Wheels" came from as it would be a ludicrous description of the movie content. Today's generation of motorsports enthusiasts would certainly be surprised at this oldie that still would capture the interest. Would be a great vehicle to re-make into today's hi-tech racing and extreme sports interest. Motorcycle racing has never been more popular and millions are spent on it every year. Come on Hollywood, lets do this one again before the Brits decide they should make another! Sir Dirk Bogarde could be replaced by our own World Champ Bruce Penhall who is no stranger to Hollywood and the world of Speedway Motorcycles.

Once a Jolly Swagman was, for its time, a rather unusual film. Why? Because it featured Speedway Racing. Speedway in the pre-war days of the 1930s was brought over from Australia, a type of Dirt track racing. Stadiums used for greyhound races were adapted, shale put down and the sport took off in a big way. Wembley Stadium had over 100,000 people there to watch the England team against the Australians in the years following the war. So, the film was made, and was a success. Up and coming young actor Dirk Bogarde, and the wily young Bill Owen ( who went on to become famous in the British TV programme, The Last Of The Summer Wine) starred in it. The title? Well to answer Mr Kennett ( the only other person to comment wryly on this film) is because the sport originated down under, although I suspect Mr Kennett to be one of the famous Kennett brothers; Speedway Riders Themselves in the 1950s and 60s. Comment: Excellent British attempt to bring the sport to the film going public. 10 out of 10. August 2004.

Okay I accept it was early in his career and they were still trying to find a niche for him but it was a real masterstroke to cast Dirk Bogarde as a speedway star and give him a Sid Field Slasher Green moustache. As long as they were playing silly buggers they gave Bonar Colleano a pipe. A pipe! As far as plots go this is Number 5b, the one about the poor boy who's determined to get to the top at any price - nine times out of ten he's a boxer (see: John Garfield, Body And Soul) though he can also be a musician (see: John Garfield, Humoresque, Kirk Douglas, Young Man With A Horn) - this time around he's a speedway rider, the only original thing in the whole movie and Dirk Bogarde is about as convincing as a biker as Arthur Mullard would be as James Bond. For Bogarde completists and novelty buffs only.

Although the story line is pretty typical for movies of this period, formulaic, predictable, and with bits of romance, pathos, and patriotism thrown for filler, the film is an interesting, if too short, lesson in speedway history for us motorcycle buffs. Even though I have enjoyed speedway racing on the TV (when I can get it), I had no idea it was such a huge sport so early on. Another fascinating lesson is that it was held in such fascination and revulsion, being noisy, dirty, and dangerous. I guess motorcycle riding might always carry those cachets. This movie is what it is and I can't fault it a bit, except it needed more bikes!

Dirk Bogarde appears in this film as a young, working class lad who achieves fame and fortune (and a nasty little moustache) as a speedway bike rider during the 1940's. Of course, his career is interrupted by the war.

It is a little laboured at times, but you have to admire the cameramen who created the footage of the races with such limited technology.

I spent a lot of the film trying to work out where the swagman theme was supposed to come from - aside from using Waltzing Matilda as the theme. Later on I realised his faithful wife Pat, and her brother, were supposed to be Australian. The brother later retired to Australia to go 'sheep farming'.

Strewth!