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
