The Sentimental Bloke

The Sentimental Bloke is a 1961 Australian musical by Albert Arlen, Nancy Brown and Lloyd Thomson based on Songs of a Sentimental Bloke by C.J. Dennis and is one of the most successful Australian musicals of the 20th century.

Spring has come and Bill, searches for love. His friend, Ginger Mick, knows just the girl for him, Doreen, who works in a pickle factory with Ginger’s friend Rose. The meeting takes place and romance blossoms. Mr. Smithers, a manager at the factory invites Doreen to a ball. Doreen stays true to Bill until Ginger assaults Smithers and Bill gets the blame. Worse still, Doreen accepts the invitation to the ball with Smithers. Bill goes back to the ‘push’ and accompanies Ginger to the Melbourne Cup where he meets with Doreen and Smithers. Smithers flirts with other girls and Bill ‘stoushes’ him, once again gaining favour with Doreen. Now Bill must meet Doreen’s mother and uncle, a test that proves too much for him. Smithers reappears with two hired thugs to deal with Bill, but Doreen, accompanied by the police, comes to his rescue. Bill and Doreen must decide their future and whether to continue their romance.