Artwork by Jen Huntley
The Sentimental Bloke is the all-time Australian 1919 silent film classic, based on the poetry of C.J. Dennis
Artwork by Jen Hyuntley
Originally released in 1919 and directed by Raymond Longford, the Sentimental Bloke became a smash hit in Australia and screened to packed houses for some years. It then disappeared without trace until the 1950’s when it was rediscovered in a parliamentary library in Canberra.
It wasn’t until 1995 that a new print was released by the National Film and Sound Archive to coincide with the International Centenary of Cinema. At that time Jen Anderson was commissioned to write a score to accompany the film for the opening night of the Melbourne International Film Festival that year. She and two of her colleagues from the folk rock band Weddings Parties Anything played to a packed theatre at the Astor Cinema in Melbourne and enjoyed an overwhelming response.
In 2004 the NFSA released another print containing 4 extra minutes of recently discovered footage. Jen was once again invited to perform her musical score to accompany the film. She formed the Larrikins with Dave Evans and Dan Warner, and together they toured Australia and overseas, including several prestigious screen events such as the London International Film Festival, Pordenone Silent film Festival (Italy), Telluride Film Festival (Colorado USA), Tokyo Film Festival (Japan) and Chungmuro Film Festival (Seoul, Korea).
'This moving picture... is the best yet made in Australia.'
ARGUS, 6 October, 1919
Photo: Mark Hopper
Photo: Mark Hopper
Jen Anderson
Violin, mandolin, tinwhistle, vocals
For information about Jen, head to https://www.jenandersonmusic.com/about
Dave Evans
Accordion, piano, organ, vocals
Dave studied accordion whilst growing up in the north east of Victoria. Moving to Melbourne in his early twenties he began busking, then playing in bands. Since then he has played in many groups covering a wide variety of styles from European folk, Tango, Cabaret and Jazz. He co-founded The Band Who Knew Too Much in 1990. They toured extensively throughout northern Europe and
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the UK and continue to play regularly. With Dan Warner and Jen
Anderson he toured the world playing a live score for the classic Australian silent film “The Sentimental Bloke”. He played second songman in the Australian cast of the National Theatre of Great Britain’s production of “Warhorse” which toured Australia in 2013. He has written and performed music in Melbourne independent theatre shows. Dave continues to write and play music of many colours.
Photo: Mark Hopper
Photo: Jane Hendry
Dan Warner
Guitar, mandolin, vocals
Dan Warner is a songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. In the 80s and 90s, Dan sang and played rhythm guitar in several local bands, including The Warner Brothers, Overnight Jones, Dan & Al and The Largest Living Things. Dan now plays with his band ‘The Night Parrots’ featuring Marcel Borrack, Nathan Farrelly and Ash Davies. The band is currently recording a new album, set for release in 2022.
For more info on Dan, and to find some more music:
Website: danwarner.com.au
Bandcamp: danwarner.bandcamp.com
Facebook: facebook.com/danwarnermusic
Twitter: twitter.com/DanWarnerMusic