Came a Hot Friday (1985)

Click here for a video version of this review: https://youtu.be/U7w_jcSD3iE

The early 80s was a time where the New Zealand film industry began to really bud and grow. One of the classics to come out of that time was Came a Hot Friday. Much like Goodbye Pork Pie that came before it, this is a screwball comedy full of larger than life characters and general silliness. So what exactly is the story here?

Set in post-war rural New Zealand, this film traces the efforts of two con men as they run a betting scam in a small town already rife with illegal gambling, corruption, and eccentricity.

There really isn't a lot of story here and the movie is a bit of a shambles, but in a way, that's what gives it its charm. Its poorly acted and edited, but you 100% get a real sense of 1980s New Zealand, even though the movie is set in 1949.

It's hard to say whether or not I recommend this. From a strictly story and quality point of view, its a bit of a disaster looking at it through modern eyes. As a slice of what we in New Zealand call "Kiwiana" though, its a treasure trove. It was a delight to see the legendary Billy T. James in this as, no less, and Maori Mexican bandito, and along with him, there were a few other familiar, albeit, much younger, faces from the NZ film and television alumni.

I came across this in full on YouTube, and apart from that, I'm not sure where on earth you would be able to find a copy these days. It's not a great movie, but does have a ton of nostalgia value.