Underbelly Razor - Sydney Razor Gang Crime in the 20s and 30s = new TV series

[cookie]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/en...underbelly-razor/story-e6frewz0-1226094227746

 

[MikeBravo]

I have seen the ads on television.

As expected they are shown as young and pretty which in real life they were not.

I wonder how realistic it will be

 

[lolly_loisides]

I have seen the ads on television.

As expected they are shown as young and pretty which in real life they were not.

I wonder how realistic it will be

Funny you should say that, a friend of mine auditioned for a role in Razor. He normally gets typecast as a gangster or criminal type (put him in a suit & he looks like he could be in the City of Shadows book) he didn't get the role, he reckons they were looking for young, clean cut types.

 

[dr greg]

Back in the 80's I auditioned for a role in a film as a bouncer in an inner-city nightclub, because that's what I was actually doing at the time...I was told I wasn't "coca-cola" enough

 

[Tomasso]

I was told I wasn't "coca-cola" enough

Translation please.

 

[dr greg]

Ad agency-speak for the sort of toothsome smiling youth one might see in a Coke ad....and rarely handling the door of a pub full of punks and psycho-billy ruffians in a time of rampant speed abuse and concomitant aggression....

 

[MikeBravo]

Funny you should say that, a friend of mine auditioned for a role in Razor. He normally gets typecast as a gangster or criminal type (put him in a suit & he looks like he could be in the City of Shadows book) he didn't get the role, he reckons they were looking for young, clean cut types.

I'm not surprised what with the "burlesque" resurgence these days. All these young, clean, pretty girls bumping and grinding.

Of course, original burlesque dancers were worn out chorus girls who couldn't cut it on the stage any more. I believe they were more the equivalent of pole dancers today than modern burlesque dancers

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Well I can't judge it from the trailer. The fast cuts and the awful 80s splatter font (sorry, I am a design nerd) prevent me from enjoying the scenes.

The topic reminds me of the mugshots that were published some time ago. There were two books (crooks like us / ciity of shadows) and I would really love to see them come to life.

http://swipelife.com/2009/07/28/sydney-police-mug-shots-from-1912-1930/



PS: I said something similar about burlesque and some girls got terribly angry at me. it is ART not striptease

 

[lolly_loisides]

Well I can't judge it from the trailer. The fast cuts and the awful 80s splatter font (sorry, I am a design nerd) prevent me from enjoying the scenes.

The topic reminds me of the mugshots that were published some time ago. There were two books (crooks like us / ciity of shadows) and I would really love to see them come to life.

http://swipelife.com/2009/07/28/sydney-police-mug-shots-from-1912-1930/

FFF, Razor Underbelly is based on the book Razor, written by Larry Writer (which I recommend). I'm not looking forward to the tv show. The original Underbelly franchise was based on Australian Melbourne & Sydney crime families (the first series was set in the 70's - 90's). It was hugely popular & it's pretty clear that the 1920's version was made to appeal to the mass market.

Oh & FFF if you're ever in Sydney this is where the City of Shadows & Crims like us photographic archive is held.

 

[Rats Riley]

I will agree that I'm not digging the font and the rapid cuts in the promo. But can see the potential for this to be a very sharp series!

Dare I say an Australian Boardwalk Empire? I really hate to say that so I'll take it back. I've always tried to take every show for it's own value. Instead, I really hope it becomes popular in Australia and we get to see it here in the states!

Tell you the truth, I'm just glad they're making more period shows!

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

That's true. Let's hope for the best.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

The fast cuts and the awful 80s splatter font (sorry, I am a design nerd) prevent me from enjoying the scenes.

Also the music. Using modern contemporary music in a show with a period setting totally ruins it for me. Though it does look like something worth seeing.

 

[Rats Riley]

I think what I'll find interesting is the new names and characters that will be involved. Sure we all know all the major players in Chicago and New York. But this is probably going to introduce a whole new venue of names, places and legends. As a LEO, I'm actually interested in seeing the rackets and how the law gets involved.

 

[lolly_loisides]

What's most interesting about organised crime in Sydney during the 20's was that it was run by women.

 

[elvisroe]

I'm looking forward to it.

Sure, the whole thing's prettied up a bit, as is every TV/movie adaption, but it's great to see all those old Sydney locations and the costumes look fantastic.

I read Larry Writer's book "Razor" a few years ago and while Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh were rough old broads through the 40s and 50s, they were both considered "good sorts" back in the day. I'd say the biggest difference in appearance would be in weight - girls today are much skinnier than their 20thC. counterparts.

Tilly was on-the-game in her teens came to "power" in her late 20s early 30's while still a "good sort". The girl cast as Sydney's top prostitute and number 1 gangster's moll Nellie Cameron does bare a striking resemblance to the real girl. She in particular WAS considered a real beauty and a firecracker in the sack. She apparently began her "career" as a 13 year old.
Crazy times!

 

[lolly_loisides]

Hello elvisroe, I can see by your avi that you've been to the Hattery!

 

[elvisroe]

and hello lo lly..

yes ma'am, that's a "Casual" at the Hattery. A bad experience at Strand sent me running for the hills. Katoomba's th only place I get my new hats these days, although with a 60 - 61 head I do occasionally fish an old one out of the 'bay that fits OK

 

[Rats Riley]

What's most interesting about organised crime in Sydney during the 20's was that it was run by women.

See! That's the kind of back story I was talking about! Great material offers to an excellent opportunity to tell a stellar story on film!

 

[cookie]

I will agree that I'm not digging the font and the rapid cuts in the promo. But can see the potential for this to be a very sharp series!

Dare I say an Australian Boardwalk Empire? I really hate to say that so I'll take it back. I've always tried to take every show for it's own value. Instead, I really hope it becomes popular in Australia and we get to see it here in the states!

Tell you the truth, I'm just glad they're making more period shows!

I think some of the razor gangs could teach Nucky a lesson.

BTW one of the chief charachters - a brothel madam and criminal called Tilly Devine apparently threw a brick at my grandmother's head back in the1920s when the family lived around Darlinghurst or Darling it Hurts as they say nowadays!


Apparently the Sydney cocaine epidemic of the 20s/30s was allegedly induced/caused by the number of ex-Diggers who came back with habits from the trenches. The story is that the "medics" treated "battle fatigue" promptly and liberally with a few snorts of "Okey Doke" then it was "back into the trenches with ya mate!".:eeek:

 

[lolly_loisides]

I think some of the razor gangs could teach Nucky a lesson.

BTW one of the chief charachters - a brothel madam and criminal called Tilly Devine apparently threw a brick at my grandmother's head back in the1920s when the family lived around Darlinghurst or Darling it Hurts as they say nowadays!

When I lived in Surry Hills, I used to live in a terrace that was once one of Kate Leigh's sly grog shops.