Pallet on the Floor

Based on a Ronald Hugh Morrieson book, Pallet on the Floor involves a freezing plant worker (Netherwood's Peter McCauley) in an interracial marriage. For this little seen movie version, the role of an English remittance man was expanded in an attempt to snare Peter O'Toole. Kiwi-born Bruce Spence ended up in the role. The view of a 1960s small town is a dark one, with racism, boozing, violence and blackmail. The jazz-tinged score is by Jonathan Crayford, Bruce Johnstone and Bruno Lawrence. Bruno also appears briefly in the wedding band. The freezing works scenes were shot at the defunct plant in Patea.

Putting that film together was like an introduction to the who’s who of New Zealand cinema for me. Bruno Lawrence was amazing and contributed to so many aspects of the whole film. Jo Tomlins came in and sung a number of times, and was brilliant.

– Jonathan Crayford, who composed Pallet on the Floor's soundtrack alongside Bruno Lawrence and Barry Johnstone

Key Cast & Crew

Jillian O'Brien

As: Sue Jamieson

Ronald Hugh Morrieson

Original Author

Terence Cooper

As: Brendan O'Keefe

John Bach

As: Jack Voot

Peter McCauley

As: Sam Jamieson

Larry Parr

Producer