The typewriter is the bridge between the private passions detonating in Billy Kwan's soul and the erupting sociopolitical volcano of his beloved Indonesia.
It's a handsome and shiny Remington Noiseless Portable (1931-1941). According to Richard P's The Classic Typewriter Page, "This was one of the most successful models, commercially and aesthetically." Watching the film, it's not hard to see why (Read: now I've got to have one!).
Billy treats Guy's injury, the Remington Noiseless is on the desk in the background.One more typewriter makes periodic appearances but not in the same pivotal role as Billy's.
It's another Remington, the old office desktop staple- Super-Riter (1949-1959). And here's a close-up of Mel Gibson before the blue face-paint and before he passionately tortured the Christ.
Based on C.J. Koch's 1979 novel, Peter Weir's eponymous The Year of Living Dangerously has fallen below the radar of the "typewriter film" lists. Happy to recommend it to the typosphere (and to the blogosphere in general).
Watch trailer:
The film also stars a pre-Ripley Sigourney Weaver and is ably supported by noted Filipino actors. It was shot on location in Manila; Indonesia refused permission and later banned the film.
*The Year of Living Dangerously © 1983 Warner Brothers
*Typecast via Smith-Corona Coronet Super 12
*As always, it would be great if our experts can verify the typewriter models I tried to i.d. (you might begin to charge me for my endless requests!).
11 comments:
i love classic. ^0^
although, i have never seen this film yet, it would be interesting to watch it sometime.
i have an old Olympia,
that's if it's considered old. ^-^
the C's and the M's aren't in good condition, still using it but erm...not recently though. ^-^
oh, I almost forgot, I also love the intro of Murder She Wrote, I can't remember which brand though...^-^
Thanks for dropping in, arabesque. Glad to hear you have an Olympia. If you take an arty shot of it and send it to me, I'll post it here.
The movie is certainly worth watching, hope you get to see it.
I found the "Murder She Wrote" intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v94ugLhua9Y
It could be a Royal but maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. Perhaps our typecasters can i.d.?
That is a great movie! Always liked it. I might see it again now that you remind me of it.
Hey Luis, good to hear that you're going to see the film again. Enjoy!
That is a beautiful Noiseless .... and the young Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver are damn good-looking in this movie, too!
Richard, the Noiseless in the film is stunning, enhanced even more while in action plus the sound of the keys.
Truth be told, youth looks good!
Good spot! Great film.
Thanks, Rob!
How cool is it to spotlight the typewriters in this movie? I now want to see it...because of the typewriters! And of course the atmosphere that said typewriters create. Good eye!
Lisa, many thanks for your encouraging comment; happy to hear that the typewriter is drawing you to watch the film!
More typewriters/vintage objects on the silver screen to come...
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