Warner Bros TV to adapt How to Make Gravy into Christmas drama
Classic Paul Kelly song tells the story of a prisoner named Joe who writes a letter to his brother Dan about his longing to be with family at Christmas.
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Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia in partnership with Speech & Drama Pictures has secured the rights to develop Paul Kelly’s classic How to Make Gravy into a Christmas film.
Originally released in 1996, the song tells the story of a prisoner named Joe who writes a letter to his brother Dan about his longing to be with family at Christmas.
Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia recently moved into drama production with adaptations of European dramas Love Me and The Twelve, both for Foxtel. Speech&Drama Pictures is the production company of screenwriter & director Nick Waterman and musician / screenwriter Megan Washington.
Paul Kelly said, “Dan and Joe and Rita and Angus and Dolly and all the others have been stuck inside that song so long, I’m glad they’re going to get a chance to live life a different way!”
Michael Brooks, Managing Director of Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, said: “In Australia, December 21st is known as Gravy Day. Few songs have risen to cult status and secured a date on the festive calendar, which is why Paul Kelly’s How to Make Gravy is so special. It’s a privilege to be given the opportunity, alongside our partners Megan and Nick at Speech & Drama, to unravel the mystery and meaning captured in Paul’s now iconic lyrics and bring this incredible story to the screen.”
Nick Waterman and Megan Washington said, “Paul’s beautiful song is the perfect recipe for a feature film. It’s characters are already beloved by many who have imagined the story behind Joe’s letter themselves – there’s so much to be found in the space between what he must be feeling in prison at Christmas and what he writes in his letter to his brother. This song holds a special place in our hearts. It’s an honour to bring it to life.”
It isn’t yet clear which broadcaster / SVOD will screen the film.
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2 Responses
Got mixed feelings about this. It’s a great song – a classic. Not sure it’s a film though. Or that we need it. Hmmm.
I like the Paul Kelly song-How to Make Gravy, but it may be a bit depressive for a Christmas film, not unless it was made as a musical, maybe Paul could write some original songs.