Love Of An Icon: The Legend Of Crocodile Dundee – a review

There’s only a few movies that can be screened at any time throughout history and still be worth watching.

A movie of that calibre needs to have a top notch script, impeccable acting and filmed by the best in the biz.

It’s a big call perhaps, but Crocodile Dundee, an Australian classic, is one of these movies. And it’s still funny!

Love Of An Icon: The Legend Of Crocodile Dundee has just been released in the cinemas, and is a rare peek behind not only this iconic movie, but the partnership that led to its creation.

John Cornell and Paul Hogan were familiar to Australian audiences as far back as the 1970s, and throughout the 80s, represented quintessential Aussie larkinism. Behind the laconic Hoges – and sometimes sharing the screen – was an equally funny and sharp best mate, John ‘Strop’ Cornell.     

I grew up in Brisbane in the 80s, as did my wife Paula, and we are the same age.

Though we were living unbeknownst of each other miles apart, our respective families regularly watched Hoges, Strop and Delvene on the TV. It was family time for both of us.

Seeing it again on a big screen with background unseen footage and commentary and interviews was a real thrill. And the doco is much more than that – it really flows as a piece of historical cinema.

Emotional

I didn’t expect to get emotional over it either, but there was such love for what they did, for each other, who they were and the impact they had. I don’t think anyone had a dry eye on the night.

In the morning, my wife and I watched Hogan’s Australia’s tourism ads – which were aimed at the US – on Youtube. They are still very funny and relevant.

The ads brought life to the nation’s tourism industry, as former PM Hawke said, thanking Hoges in the doco.

Paula and I put those 80s ads up against what’s on offer today, and it’s nothing compared to the quick-witted one liners and authenticity of what they did.

The current Aussie tourism ads (on Youtube) may have glorious sweeping landscapes in 4K, but there’s nothing else. No character, humour or sparkle. That’s what Hoges and John gave us. And they did those ads for free, which these days seems so rare. Who looks out for Australia’s interests now? Gina? Clive?

It’s easy to look at nostalgia as being a better time, but in the 80s, we had a pumping original live music scene. Australians made films, really good ones. Art was encouraged and not looked down on as some type of disability.

There was investment not only into arts, but manufacturing. We built cars, clothes, fridges and washing machines. Before we were digitalised, and analysed and curated through algorithms, Australians were a vibrant lot. One example is how the cars we drove were an array of bright colours and shiny chrome. Now they are all generic in look and colour. 

Have we, as a nation, really lost our heart, imagination and humour?

Byron contribution

And what John and Delvene brought to Byron Bay really should be acknowledged.

They rebuilt the top pub into an international attraction, and under their management, it was exemplary of Aussie pub culture. Great live music, food and beer in a welcoming space. They gave to the surf clubs and sporting groups, which helped keep the social fabric together. They were humble about it, and didn’t look for accolades.

Fun fact: The Echo (independent and locally owned), started in 1986, the same year as Crocodile Dundee was released. As a small newspaper, we are enternally thankful that Strop and Devlene supported not only us through advertisments, but the community at large throughout the many, many years they lived here.

Thanks Delvene Delaney and Victoria Baldock for inspiring us with such a wonderful and important piece of Australian history – may Love Of An Icon: The Legend Of Crocodile Dundee inspire other generations in rediscovering our larrikinism, humour and love of art and culture.

Kind regards,
Hans and Paula Lovejoy