Movies

Playschool star Noni Hazlehurst shares awkward secrets of her ‘explicit’ movie sex scenes: ‘There was the odd slurping sound’

BBG News

As a lifestyle expert with a rich understanding of the entertainment industry, I can wholeheartedly empathize with Noni Hazlehurst‘s candid account of filming intimate scenes for Monkey Grip. Having had the privilege to witness the evolution of Australian television over four decades, it’s clear that the industry has come a long way since the 80s – but perhaps not fast enough when it comes to making such experiences less awkward!

Previously acclaimed child actor Noni Hazlehurst recently disclosed the sometimes uncomfortable nature of filming intimate scenes for a movie.

Although she gained significant fame for her role on Playschool, presenting from 1978 to 2001, Noni, aged 71, has also had an impressive career in films and TV.

Among her cherished lead acting roles on the silver screen, one stands out – the 1982 movie “Monkey Grip,” where she shared the limelight with Colin Friels, who was then 72 years old at the time.

The film, based on a novel by acclaimed Australian author Helen Garner, features some rather racy scenes between the actors and now Noni has revealed just what goes on behind the scenes.

According to a special excerpt from her memoir Dropping the Mask, published on news.com.au, Noni disclosed that despite their passionate portrayal of a couple in the movie, things weren’t always as they appeared between her and Colin off-screen.

In one heated moment, Noni remembered Colin planting kisses all over her upper body, but the final product felt intensely romantic and sensual, however, the raw footage suggested something quite distinct.

With no music enhancing the setting, all we heard, besides an occasional sucking noise, was director Ken Cameron explaining the action to us,” she mentioned.

Here’s a suggestion for paraphrasing the given dialogue: “Colin, take it easy, let’s linger for a moment, no need to rush eating her. Be gentle, and try that trick with your lips and fingers again, Noni. Let’s pace ourselves, Colin, go up and down, not too forceful, how about trying a sideways approach instead?

‘It was very funny.’

She mentioned that all the movie’s intimate scenes were filmed on the same day, which increased the discomfort, but one team member proposed an innovative resolution.

She confessed that the initial assistant suggested everyone on set should be bare and unclothed, but the idea of seeing dozens of exposed bodies was too unsettling, potentially eliminating any chance of sexual desire for her throughout her lifetime.

Additionally, things became even more uncomfortable as Noni revealed that director Ken Cameron guided her on-screen romantic partner on his acting techniques for the camera.

Released in 1982, Monkey Grip is based on the 1977 novel by author Helen Garner.

It tells the story of Nora, a single-mother who is embroiled in an on-again-off-again relationship with heroin addict Javo. 

In 2016, the esteemed television actress utilized her acceptance speech for induction into the Logies Hall of Fame to critique the slow progress of transformation within the Australian broadcasting sector.

Noni pointed out that the entertainment industry had been reluctant to recognize women and nominees of non-Anglo-Saxon descent, specifically mentioning Waleed Aly and Lee Lin Chin.

At the moment when this accolade was bestowed upon me, I humbly recognized that it underscored the existing barriers still in place for women, as I was merely the second to receive such an honor.

‘The landscape is evolving, and it’s happening gradually. An intriguing fact about glaciers is that if you’re not on them, they could submerge you. For the past four decades, I’ve been navigating this ever-changing glacier, and I intend to continue doing so.’

Among the television shows that Noni has worked on are Division 4, The Sullivans, The Shiralee, City Homicide, and A Place Where One Can Feel at Home.

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2024-10-02 09:22

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