Clowning Around

Clowning Around is a 1991 Australian children's series later edited into a family film that was shot on location in Perth, Western Australia and Paris, France. It was based on the novel Clowning Sim by David Martin.^[1]

Clowning Around
Directed by	George Whaley
Starring	Clayton Williamson Annie Byron Jean-Michel Dagory Ernie Dingo Van Johnson Rebecca Smart Noni Hazlehurst Jill Perryman Heath Ledger
Music by	Peter Best
Distributed by	Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Release date	1991 (1991)
Running time	8 x 24mins episodes
Countries	Australia France United States
Language	English

The film was produced by independent film company Barron Entertainment Films in Western Australia and educational film company WonderWorks in the United States, was directed by George Whaley. It was distributed by Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It featured Australian actors such as Margaret Williamson, Noni Hazlehurst, Ernie Dingo, Rebecca Smart, and Jill Perryman, and also featured veteran American actor Van Johnson along with French actor Jean-Michel Dago.

This series was followed up with a sequel entitled Clowning Around 2, which was released in 1993.

Plot

Simon Gunner, is a star-struck foster kid who aspires to become a circus clown. With the help of veteran funster Jack Merrick, Simon ultimately fulfills his goal.

Cast

• Clayton Williamson as Simon Gunner
• Annie Byron as Una Crealy
• Jean-Michel Dagory as Anatole Tolin
• Ernie Dingo as Jack Merrick
• Van Johnson as Mr. Ranthow
• Rebecca Smart as Linda Crealy
• Noni Hazlehurst as Sarah Gunner
• Heather Mitchell as Sarah Gunner (season 2)
• Jill Perryman as Miss Gabhurst
• Steve Jodrell as Skipper Crealy
• Nell Feeney as Lilly
• Heath Ledger as orphan (uncredited)