Interview with Ken Anderson

 

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your life?

I was born in Sydney Australia and only a stone's throw from the largest cemetery in the Southern Hemisphere- Rookwood. Here I made movies, played and explored the past but it wasn't obvious until recently that this location would become a feature point in the novel... 'She Refuses To Leave'.

You also mentioned movies?

Yes, my first feature film was a surfing movie, titled 'Over Under Sideways Down'; it was followed by a motorcycle sports film called 'Naturally Free' which went well.

Went well?

It was popular.

Can you explain how popular?

It was 1974 and I had booked the Sydney Opera House for the Australian premier. Naturally Free was a sell-out and received great publicity but I wasn't happy and re-edited the movie. In 1975, the rehash was re-released by MGM/BEF but there was a massive oversight. This G rated movie had its resurgence at Sydney's Kings Cross. Not a 'General Rated' environment for those in the 'know'. It faltered. It stumbled. It almost fell on its face until a South Australian theater in Goodwood took up its release. The movie took off with people lined up around the block. After that, everyone wanted it. Even a drive-in in Queensland had its screen blown down by a cyclone; after a lot of hard work to repair the screen, the drive-in managed to open for three days and broke all records. It even out grossed Disney's Mary Poppins at many locations. It was also popular in New Zealand and the USA.

And against other Australian movies, how did it rate?

I think it was in the top ten Australian movies produced at the time.

Is there a reference to Naturally Free in your novel, She Refuses To Leave?

There is a chapter devoted to it, but this novel is fictional and not everything is according to fact.

Can you tell me about the featured riders in Naturally Free?

To start with, there was Australian Warren Willing and Gregg Hansford. Both were competitive and I remember them coming to my house to view the film rushes of a race where both crossed the finish line together. The footage was from the 1974 Easter meeting at Mount Panorama, Bathurst and it captured a classic race where 20,000 fans went ballistic. As the projector rolled there was a competitive banter between Warren and Gregg and then each went silent as they watched the finish line. However, and after watching the film six times, both were convinced they had won. Warren had been given the official verdict but Gregg still thought he had crossed the line first. The debate lasted for ages, years actually. Sadly, both have now passed and the sport of racing lost two great sportsmen.

It was a Saturday morning and I was looking for riders to contribute to a 'wheelie segment'. A young boy suggested I approach this guy racing up and down a nearby quarry as he emphasized, “He is good”. As it turned out the rider was Craig Brown from New Zealand and he was better than “Good”. His control over his Bultaco was incredible and he took me to various locations that resulted in breath-taking footage. Check out the Naturally Free poster featuring Craig.

Then there was Dave Pinkerton who was the ultimate professional and a former Australian Trial's Champion. Dave toured with his show and was an outstanding entertainer. His contribution to Naturally Free started one night at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and in a packed arena. However, this first time filming proved a daunting experience as Dave said, “As I ride into the arena, all the lights will be turned off. It will be pitch black.” He pointed to a gate, “I'll come out of this gate heading towards you. It's really important you don't move from the middle of the arena. Just remember, I won't be able to see you.”

I questioned, “Just so I have this right, you'll be heading towards me doing a 'wheelie'. And you won't be able to see me?”

“Exactly.”

As it turned out Dave missed me and the show was a big hit. I'm glad I wasn't a part of the hit! I never explained to Dave that with the lights turned off I had no luminance to film, but all worked well when the lights finally came on.

Malcolm Smith was one of the stars in Bruce Brown's 'On Any Sunday'. Malcolm agreed to be in Naturally Free and I flew with my wife to California to film him. At the time, Malcolm had a thriving motorcycle business at Riverside and we met for lunch at a nearby Italian restaurant. That night we had dinner at his mountain chalet and by the next morning we were filming on the high end of the Mojave Desert. His dog Jonathan also made an appearance in the movie. My wife and I fell in love with the countryside and some months later we were living in a pine forest close to where we filmed. Malcolm Smith is famous for Enduro Racing especially along the Baja Peninsula of Mexico.

An Italian Restaurant? How was the food?

Fantastic. We returned some years later with my teenage son and with the view of showing him an authentic Italian Restaurant. However times had changed; when we arrived it was lunch and scantily clad women visited our table selling lingerie and 'dubious extras'. I looked at my son... hell, he had the biggest grin on his face. Best to leave it there, although now my son has an intense passion for Italian... food that is!

There are so many famous riders featured in the movie, for example: Phil Crump, Jim Airey, Kenny Roberts, Gene Romero, Mick Andrews just to name a few, they were all good, and all helped to create a film of fantastic memories.

What is your biggest regret in life?

Missing the opportunity to ask my parents about their childhood. As mundane as this subject maybe, it can become a vital path to your own discovery. Not only will you discover your ancestry but your health and direction will be clearer. Take the time to ask- write down the answers and keep them for reference- you'll feel better- your parents will feel better. Caring for others means looking after yourself. Don't miss this opportunity!

In the novel, She Refuses To Leave what are your favorite chapters?

When Shaun escapes to London with a family friend. Perhaps I'm biased but it appears to flow well, it's steamy and seductive, anyone would love to be a part of that romance.

Is there a sub-title for She Refuses To Leave?

Yes, it's called...'When my mother warned that Girls Are Trouble, she was wrong, dead wrong- they're far worse!'

What reference does the sub-title have to the novel?

It was a warning given to me via my mother. I thought it worthy of being duplicated. There is a strong connection to that theory and many people since reading the novel have agreed, I think there is an element of truth, however and interestingly, women are much more complex than to be gender manipulated.

Is a paperback version of She Refuses To Leave available?

Yes, you can go to:
http://www.amazon.com/She-Refuses-Leave-Ken-Anderson-ebook/dp/B00GOIJ1PW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1385002860&sr=1-1&keywords=she+refuses+to+leave