Fast Talking (1984)

Shot on Super 16mm film and then blown up to 35 mm for theatrical release, this Australian film revolved around 15-year-old Steve Carson (Rod Zuanic), a likeable but antisocial teen from a broken family, who – with his quick smarts and glib tongue – is constantly getting himself in trouble.

Steve’s father, Ralph (Peter Hehir) is an unemployed alcoholic and his mother (Julie McGregor) has left the family home for a man who owns a cake shop.

His older brother uses him to sell drugs at Slessor High School and is generally a bad influence on Steve.

Steve’s only real friends are his girlfriend Vicki (Toni Allaylis) and his comic mate, Moose (Chris Truswell).

Steve is befriended by an ex-con mechanic called “Redback” (Steve Bisley) who owns a motorcycle junkyard and gives the young lad an opportunity to learn a trade (welding) and also to restore a wrecked motorbike.

He also receives support and encouragement from sympathetic new teacher Sharon Hart (Tracy Mann).

Aussie band Eurogliders appear in a cameo as the band playing at a school dance.

The scenes set at (the fictional) Slessor High School were filmed at Balmain High in the inner-western suburbs of Sydney.

Steve Carson
Rod Zuanic
Redback
Steve Bisley
Sharon Hart
Tracy Mann
Ralph Carson
Peter Hehir
Yates
Denis Moore
Vicki
Toni Allaylis
Moose
Chris Truswell
Narelle
Gail Sweeny
Steve’s Mother
Julie McGregor
Al Carson
Garry Cook
Principal
Peter Collingwood
Swinton
Bill McCluskey
Yates’ Secretary
Genevieve Mooy
Kate Archer
Ellen Wilson
Warren
Dave Godden
Johnno
Scott Nicholson
Suze
Leanne Goodman
Brodkiewicz
Darren Jenkins
Glass
Mark Davis
Sonter
John Godden
Peter Boswell
Robert Beaven
Griffith
Steve Bergan
Scott Harris
Angelo D’Angelo
Douggie Morris
John Austin
Sprogis
Ari Konstantokopoulos
Detective Holloway
Lucky Grills
Detective Greer
Greig Pickhaver
Redback’s Mechanic
Arthhur Valiakos
Eurogliders
Themselves

Director
Ken Cameron