Ruth Cracknell

Acting

Ruth Cracknell

Born 1925-07-06 · Maitland, New South Wales, Australia

Ruth Winifred Cracknell was an Australian character and comic actress, comedienne and author, her career encompassing all genres including radio, theatre, television and film. She appeared in many dramatic as well as comedy roles throughout a career spanning some 56 years. In theatre she was well known for her Shakespeare roles.

Acting credits

Joey poster
5.7

Billy is a boy who is trying to save a baby kangaroo called Joey when it is caught and taken to Sydney. Linda, the young daughter of the U.S. Ambassador is helping Billy in his task.

Joey

1997

Emerald City poster
5.9

A couple move to Sydney from Melbourne, and soon become lured by the bright lights of the big city. Colin, the scriptwriter husband, is corrupted by his editor and then falls for the girlfriend of his writing partner, while Colin's wife Kate begins to lose sight of her ideals in a new world of hustlers and cynics.

Emerald City

1988

The Night, the Prowler poster
5.2

Felicity Bannister is a young woman living in the shadow of her overpowering mother. Her oppression is her worst enemy until the day she is attacked by an intruder who breaks into her bedroom and forces Felicity into action. The tables are suddenly turned and Felicity transforms from the helpless victim into a ruthless renegade in search of trouble, driven by the anarchic thrill of malevolence.

The Night, the Prowler

1978

Kokoda Crescent poster
7.0

The grandson of a war veteran is found dead from an overdose of heroin. He and his old army buddies swing into action and stake out the drug dealer, only to discover a web of police corruption surrounding the drug dealing. Given police complicity in the matter, they take the law into their own hands.

Kokoda Crescent

1989

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith poster
6.7

The true story of a part Aboriginal man who finds the pressure of adapting to white culture intolerable, and as a result snaps in a violent and horrific manner.

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith

1978

Lilian's Story poster
5.0

For forty years Lilian Singer has been locked up in a 'loony bin' by her father. Her release is eventually secured by her eccentric Aunt Kitty and her brother, John. Lilian starts to carve out a place for herself. As she explores Sydney and the people who live and work around her she sees others looking for love. Lilian shows us it is never too late to change your life and that even unusual choices can bring contentment.

Lilian's Story

1996

Spider and Rose poster
6.3

A young ambulance driver befriends an elderly woman.

Spider and Rose

1994

The Singer and the Dancer poster
7.8

An older woman relives the bitter memories of her past, through her friendship with a younger girl who is experiencing a very insecure relationship with her boyfriend.

The Singer and the Dancer

1977

The Best of Friends poster
10.0

The Best of Friends is a 1982 Australian romantic comedy about two best friends who have an affair one night, resulting in the woman becoming pregnant.

The Best of Friends

1982

That Lady from Peking poster
4.0

Max Foster (Carl Betz), an American newspaper reporter, is in Hong Kong to assist a defecting Russian diplomat. In return for arranging an escape, the diplomat must turn over to Foster a diary revealing the true events taking place in China. While making his escape, the defector is killed ant the diary vanishes. The reporter sets off on a search for it, from Hong Kong to Australia. The chase ends in an action-filled climax, with the journalist finally meeting up with "That Lady from Peking" (Nancy Kwan) - the diplomat's daughter.

That Lady from Peking

1975

Molly poster
9.0

After Dan collapses at a train station, he enlists Maxie to watch his beloved dog, Molly. Maxie develops a soft spot for her new furry companion - a dog which has a unique ability to sing in tune.

Molly

1983

Smiley Gets a Gun poster
8.5

The happy-go-lucky young Smiley gets into more strife as he attempts to prove himself a responsible citizen by helping others - all so he can earn a new gun from Sergeant Flaxman.

Smiley Gets a Gun

1958

The Nights Belong to the Novelist poster
10.0

This documentary explores the imaginative world of Australian novelist Elizabeth Jolley. It combines readings, dramatised segments, and witty and playful interviews in which Jolley talks about the craft and practical problems of writing, and her fictional treatment of old age, women's relationships, exile and displacement. Dramatic sequences bring to life Jolley's unforgettable characters. We see the funny, sad and bizarre worlds created in 'Woman in lampshade', 'Milk and Honey', 'Miss Peabody's Inheritance', 'Mr Scobies' Riddle' and 'Palamino'.

The Nights Belong to the Novelist

1987

The Maitland & Morpeth String Quartet poster
NR

Maitland and its sleepy neighbour, Morpeth, are never quite the same again, all due to a middle-aged couple and their hobby of violin playing. This animated film is a delight to both eye and ear. Victoria Robert’s quirky cartoons are perfect complements for Nick Enright’s cleverly constructed poem, while Ruth Cracknell’s reading of all parts adds wit and charm. An animated film by Jollification.

The Maitland & Morpeth String Quartet

1989

No artwork available
7.0

Five friends set off on an adventure in a small boat. They discover a mysterious island, where, one by one, they die a terrible death.

The Scree

2004