Not Only Fred Dagg: Movie Review

Director: Lorin Clarke

To label a doco genial may appear at first glance to be dismissive of it.

In this case, that's far from the truth. Lorin Clarke's tribute to her father, who shaped the early days of New Zealand comedy before being dropped from his own show by the state broadcaster at the height of his fame, could have a bitter edge, once again demonstrating how the country treats those whose star is in ascent.

But by opening up her own archive after she decided no one was asking much about him, Lorin shapes a portrait of her father that's very much more about the man and what achieved than any particular form of grandstanding.

From commentary during his rebellious school days where he was dismissed as a smartarse because of his correction of teachers through to the joy the comedy of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore brought him, Not Only Fred Dagg shines a welcome light on the icon that lit up Australasian comedy for 40 years.

In many ways, it's a very formulaic documentary, one that captures talking heads recounting either their encounters with the man or his impact, and which uses footage from the archives to show his successes on screen. 

Yet it also shows how the formative comedy edges of both New Zealand and Australia were shaped by Clarke - and while shots of Lorin talking to her interviewees is perhaps the only major directorial change to a workmanlike piece of film, there's something understated about the final product which proves to be as compelling as it is rich.

Perhaps the key takeaway from this is just how much John Clarke off screen was like John Clarke onscreen. Audiences recognised his everyday persona - certainly in the guise of the Fred Dagg character - and accepted him for it. And the fact that Clarke was happy to do that and allow it is a key pointer to what makes a decent human being; something that daughter Lorin has captured sensitively here and which will ensure anyone watching this will be swept away by the fact of how much they knew the bloke, despite having never met him.