Once a Jolly Swagman
Encyclopedia
Once a Jolly Swagman is a 1949 British film starring Dirk Bogarde
, Bonar Colleano
, Bill Owen and Sid James
. It is centred around the sport of speedway
racing, which was at its peak of popularity at the time. The film is based on the 1946 novel by Montagu Slater
.
The title of the film refers to the first line of the song Waltzing Matilda
.
Dirk Bogarde
Sir Dirk Bogarde was an English actor and novelist. Initially a matinee idol in such films as Doctor in the House and other Rank Organisation pictures, Bogarde later acted in art-house films such as Death in Venice...
, Bonar Colleano
Bonar Colleano
Bonar Colleano was an American-born British stage and motion-picture performer.-Early life:Colleano was born Bonar Sullivan in New York City. Following childhood experiences with the Ringling Brothers Circus and in his family's famous circus, he entered films in 1944...
, Bill Owen and Sid James
Sid James
Sid James was an English-based South African actor and comedian. He made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour and also starred in the popular Carry On films. He was known for his trademark "dirty laugh" and lascivious persona...
. It is centred around the sport of speedway
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
racing, which was at its peak of popularity at the time. The film is based on the 1946 novel by Montagu Slater
Montagu Slater
Charles Montagu Slater was an English poet, novelist, playwright and librettist.Slater, born in Millom, Cumberland, was selected by Benjamin Britten as librettist for his opera Peter Grimes, which was based on "Letter XXII: Peter Grimes" in George Crabbe's poem The Borough.For the libretto, Slater...
.
The title of the film refers to the first line of the song Waltzing Matilda
Waltzing Matilda
"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known bush ballad. A country folk song, the song has been referred to as "the unofficial national anthem of Australia"....
.