Ear Movies

Are you passionate about podcasts? I love them.

I like podcasts to walk with, exercise, drive.

Listened to so many classics.

Wanted something else, though.

Fiction that lasted nearly an hour like, well, movies for my ears.

Couldn’t find any so I made some.

Funny, moving, insightful.

Real people in unreal situations. Life at 48,000 Hz.

I had great readers – some legends, to be honest.

My name is Simon Luckhurst.

I’ve had three books published (including Eddie’s Country, described by noted journalist John Pilger as ‘one of the best Australian stories of his lifetime’,) and optioned for a movie. I’ve had plays produced on ABC radio and the stage and I’ve won or been shortlisted in a bunch of awards.

Check out my website if you want.

Ear-Movies are feel good, powerful and intimate.

Please rate them on your podcast platform so others know what you think.

Winner of the 2020 Dotcomm Awards: Best Podcast Series

Ear-Movies

Season One: Biological Poker

Biological Poker

When Katy Becker found love in the chemotherapy ward she knew that the heart-warming discoveries ahead of her would last a lifetime – she just didn’t know how long that would be for.

Reader: Ann Burbrook, who said, ‘This is such a beautiful story… it made me cry. Thank you so much for asking. I'm honoured to read it for you.’

Ann’s first two careers were as a classical ballet dancer followed by a stage, screen and voice actor.

She believes that at heart of every performance are great stories. As a performer she loves to explore story and character in order to open audiences eyes to others journeys and truths. She loves great writing and relishes working with thought provoking writers and directors.

After over 20 years as a performer she decided it was time to give back. She now runs her own business where she designs and facilitates communication programs to a range of participants, works for a vibrant and exciting social enterprise supporting young people, former refugees and the planet, and does her best with her partner as a parent to two teenagers.

Every now and again she is tempted back to performance… but only when the right story comes along. She says that Biological Poker was one of these stories.

The Other ANZAC War

Two outback towns fought in a war no one has ever heard of in this funny story of ANZAC and rural Australia.

Reader:  Brett Hunt, who said, ‘What you’ve captured here is just simply stunning... I’m speechless…’

Brett Hunt is a graduate of Wollongong University’s Creative Arts program.

As a singer, songwriter and actor Brett has released a number of CDs and toured Australia and overseas. He performs his one man show, Dusted Off, in schools around Australia.

Soul Searching

Trevor never laughed so much until he joined the funeral industry and met Knippler, Jimmy and Gavin, the ghost of an old mate.

Reader:  Tug Dumbly, who said, ‘Soul Searching is an inventive, macabre and blackly fun worm's-eye view of the funeral industry, from hyper earthy to hyper surreal, with real pathos too. It has great flesh and blood characters who I could really get my teeth into as I read it!’

Tug Dumbly is a poet, performer, songwriter and satirist who has worked widely in live venues, schools, and radio (Triple J and ABC 702). He established some seminal spoken word nights in Sydney, including the legendary Bardflys in Glebe.

He has released two spoken word CDs, once won the Spirit of Woodford storytelling award, twice won the Banjo Paterson Prize, and three times won the Nimbin Performance Poetry Cup.

Most of his career has focused on live performance but his work has also appeared in various publications including Southerly, the Canberra Times and the Australian. His first poetry collection, Son Songs, was released by Flying Islands Books in 2018.

Third place 2020 Vega Awards:
Best Podcast Episode

The Society of Miracles

Becoming invisible was no hardship for Leonie Morrison, as she’d been overlooked by most people for years anyway. Disappearing permanently from public view, however, was only the start of her story.

Reader:  Kate Fitzpatrick, who said, ‘I loved this curious, sad, fascinating story from the first time I read it. I could hear the voices.’

Kate Fitzpatrick has had a long happy career.

From stage to page and lots in between, Kate is a highly accomplished actor & four-time published author. Passionate, intelligent, witty and amusing, Kate has appeared on stage and screen, playing everyone from Marilyn Monroe, to Hamlet’s mother, Don Juan – and most recently, Fräulein Schneider in Cabaret.

She loves playing drama as well as comedy. Her professionalism and natural story-telling ability add to her success in the sound booth as a reader and voice over artist.

Deus ex Coke Machina

God appears to everyone at least once in their life. Or so he claims. For Pete Monroe, finding God in a Coke machine was not what he expected on his lunch break.

Reader:  Michael Thompson, who said, ‘Far out, this was funny. Made me think, too. Well done, mate.’

Michael has starred in numerous roles on television and in feature films.

He played the lead role in the feature film Daddy’s Little Girl along with supporting roles in 80 Proof and Battalion.

He is also the producer and co-host of the very funny podcast, The Dunces.

The Long Road

Lance Riley never set out to become a masseur. How this former long-distance truck driver became one of the best in the world is a touching story of endurance and compassion.

Reader,  Ian Rogerson, who said, ‘I’ve always loved Australian short stories and Simon has tapped into the working class ethos with great skill and affection.’

Ian originally leapt into radio at the ABC’S enfant terrible 2JJ in 1980. He presented almost every shift on the station. With his friend Jono Coleman as 'Jono and Dano' they established themselves as a radio and television comedy team for the rest of the decade.

From JJJ’s breakfast show to number one in consecutive Sydney surveys on Triple M nights, 2SM Breakfast and Melbourne’s Triple M, they romped across Australia’s airwaves for years.

First place 2020 Dotcomm Awards:
Best Podcast Episode

Erc, the Last Waler

A swagman, an Aboriginal stockman and a talking horse head to France in 1916. Although they have many laughs and adventures along the way, their real journey begins once the war is over.

Reader:  David Field, who said, ‘Great story... So touching and really the talking horse is just so f***ing great. It keeps the humour alive the whole way!!!! Simon brought this touching surreal story to me two years ago. What a pleasure to finally orate it. Hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did reading it!’

David Field has been a performer for the last 35 years. Though considered a character actor, he thinks that 'character' should be part of every actor’s work. He has appeared in many many films, TV productions and plays. He'd mention them but knows if you're interested that Google will reveal all!!!

2020 Christmas Special:
The Night Raider Before Christmas

A mother, a bikie, a bushranger and a believer in miracles appear in this podcast where elements of all the stories in Season One combine to create a unique Christmas episode.

Reader:  Elizabeth Surbey, who said, ‘This was funny, but then it made me cry!’

Elizabeth Surbey is a talented actor who studied drama and then went into teaching. She's a passionate advocate of the arts, of the need for theatre and for stories in general.

Season Two: Conversations With Buckthumper

Distinction Winner 2022 Communicator Awards:
Best Podcast Episode

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

East of Goulburn is a place called Eight Mile. No one knows what it's eight miles from. It's in the middle of nowhere, only two people live there - and they haven't spoken to each other for a decade.

Reader: Lynette Curran who said, ‘Wow, you wrote this?  It's beautiful.. When can we do it?’

Lynette Curran’s classic Australian TV shows include seven years on Bellbird, as well as stints on Country Town, Number 96, Homicide, Division 4, Bluey, Cop Shop and The Restless Years. More recently she’s been in Love My Way, Underbelly: The Golden Mile, The Reckoning and Wentworth.

Her film roles have included Alvin Purple, Caddie, Bliss, Somersault (winner of the AFI’s and FCCA’s Best Actress in a Supporting Role awards), Heatwave and The Boys (winner of the FCCA’s Best Supporting Actor award). You can also see her Marvel’s Shang-Chi to be released later in 2021.

Music: Trevor Brown

The Golden Bell

Lucky runs a cafe called The Golden Bell. He's kind, caring and generous. He wouldn't call himself 'lucky' though.

Reader:  Lex Marinos who said, ‘I love being enticed into a world I think I know, only to be delighted to find there’s magic where I least expected it.’

Lex Marinos OAM, was born into a family of Greek cafe owners. After studying drama at uni he has worked in all areas of the entertainment industry as an actor, director, writer, broadcaster and teacher.

He’s best known for his roles in Kingswood Country and The Slap. He has also worked extensively on ABC radio since the riotous inception of 2JJ. His book Blood and Circuses: an irresponsible memoir was published by Allen & Unwin.

Music: Trevor Brown

On Thursday

On Thursday Island an earnest government worker, a daughter missing her mother and a garden gnome find a way to work together to bring happiness.

Reader:  Sylvia Tabua, who said, ‘Thanks so much, I'd love to do more of these if there are any other opportunities. It brought me joy’

Sylvia Tabua is a senior broadcaster with Radio 4MW on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait where she hosts the Brekky Bot (breakfast show). She has worked passionately in this area for more than 18 years.

She produced the documentary Striking Pearls and co-produced Dinghy Gurls, which looks at how Torres Strait women challenge the sea country they live and work in. As well as coordinating cultural and music festivals, she also appeared in both seasons of the radio series Kasa Por Yarn.

Music: Trevor Brown

Wishing Well

Catching a fairy is great. You get a wish. But when you're faced with all that choice, how do you decide what to wish for?

Reader:  Genevieve Davis, who said, ‘Loved this take on a fairy story and making wishes. Wishing Well is written well.’

Genevieve started professional life in musical theatre, including the Australian cast productions of Hair and Rent. She also had roles in Sisterella, Porgy and Bess, The Wedding Song, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Blues in the Night and Albert Herring, for Opera Australia.

She's a talented actor who has had some roles in television and films. She still sings. She was a founding member of the The Glamma Rays.

Music: Trevor Brown

Olympus

Tina has been married to Lucky for over 30 years. Their greatest challenge tests both her and her relationship. Neither she, nor her husband, expects what happens next.

Reader:  Victoria Haralabidou, who said, ‘Such a pleasure to be asked to read this tender and moving story.  I hope the audience enjoys this magical journey.’

Victoria's debut film role was as the lead Martin Scorsese’s feature Brides alongside Golden Globe winner Damian Lewis.

Her other features include Going Going, The Drover’s Wife, Thirst, Blessed and With Heart and Soul. Her most recent screen work includes HBO’s The Leftovers, ABC’s Wakefield, Barracuda (Logie Award nomination), The Code, Parent Up! and My Place. She’s also appeared in The Tailings, Deep Water and East West 101 on SBS.

Victoria has also worked as dramaturge, assessor and writer at STC, Griffin and other theatres in Sydney.

Music: Trevor Brown

Conversations With Buckthumper

One night of 'fun' can change your life. How Jason Riley responds to the mistake he made, and tries to heal things, involves introspection, a lot of driving and kangaroos.

Reader,  Darren Gilshenan, who said, ‘I love Simon’s stories, they have such an Aussie tone to them… Buckthumper gave me great joy.’

Darren’s extensive performing history includes ten years with the Bell Shakespeare Company and three on TV’s Full Frontal. His recent TV credits include How To Stay Married, Stateless, Harrow, Here Come the Habibs, Maximum Choppage, The Killing Field, The Moodys and Devil’s Playground.

He won the 2020 AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama Series for Stateless and a Best Actor Helpmann Award for The Servant of Two Masters.

Music: Trevor Brown

Excellence Winner 2022 Communicator Awards:
Best Podcast Episode

Whispering Moths

Timmy Reay was normally a quiet bloke, but after a few drinks anything could happen. He'd never been in jail before, but after things went too far one night, he ended up being sentenced. Once released, he never went back inside - and this story tells you why.

Reader:  Billy Macpherson, who said, ‘Deadly story, should be a movie!’

A Kamilaroi and Kooma man from south-west Queensland, Billy is an actor, playwright and accomplished didgeridoo player.

His recent screen work includes guest roles in RFDS and Frayed. Other television roles include Thalu, Black Comedy, Redfern Now, My Place, Dead Heart and Heartland. He also appeared in the films Around the Block and The Combination. He has performed in numerous roles for the theatre.

Music: Trevor Brown

First place 2022 Vega Awards:
Fiction Podcast

The Great Mantini

The Great Mantini is a magician who specialises in disappearances. Unfortunately.

Reader:  Tiriel Mora, who said, ‘The magic of love. And the love of magic. Talk about coming out of the armoire. Enjoy.’

Tiriel is best known for his iconic performances as Martin de Stasio in the classic Australian current affairs parody, Frontline, and lawyer Dennis Denuto in The Castle. His other TV work includes Operation Buffalo, Mr Inbetween, Home and Away, Love Child, Janet King, Rake, All Saints, Underbelly, City Homicide, The Secret Life of Us, Seachange and Redfern Now.

His other film appearances include roles in Happy Feet, Crocodile Dundee in LA, This Little Love of Mine, Book Week, Harmony, Other Life, Unindian, The Wolverine, Windsor, King Kong, The Parlour, Garage Days, Queen of the Damned, The Elixir, The Inheritance and Gods of Egypt.

Music: Trevor Brown

Conversation With Trevor

Trevor Brown composed the episode music for season two of Ear Movies. In this special episode he chats to Simon Luckhurst about his music and the processes he follows when he's composing.

Interviewer:  Simon Luckhurst, who said, ‘While I'm exploring new places to go with long "short" stories, Trevor is moving the other way and is composing mini-symphonies.’

Trevor Brown is an Australian freelance composer, multi-instrumentalist, improviser, artistic director, producer, sound designer, occasional academic, and radio presenter who works across several artistic and cultural fields.

Currently completing a Doctor of Music Arts at the Sydney Conservatorium on 'Composing with Volatile Media (playing with fire, working with the unknown and the uncontrollable via Improvised Conduction, Technological Interventions, Multi-Art form Collaboration and Environmental Compostition').

Music: Trevor Brown

Coming Soon

Season Three - Murder Ballads

Get in touch

Drop us a line to let us know what you think of Ear-Movies.
producer@ear-movies.com

Production

Music
Trevor Brown
Season Two episode music written and performed by Trevor.
Ear-Movies theme music and Season One music bought from the internet.

Recording
Nut'n'Butter Studio
(Between a Rock and a Hard Place, The Golden Bell, Olympus)

Mastering
King Sound Studios

Thanks
Relativity Studios

Ear-Movies is brought to you by Charlie's Wives.

Comments

I've just finished reading Charlie's Wives and hand-on-heart can say it's one of the most beautiful books I have ever read! Compassionate, gentle, kind, loving and real and I was up until 12 midnight last night reading it because I couldn't put the bloody thing down!! That's 2 and a half hours past my bedtime! - Tim via email.

That was one champion book. It just flows from first page to last. - Bryan on Facebook.

Just finished this book - a wonderful read. I highly recommend it. - Carole on Facebook.

Interesting read
I enjoyed this take on the civil war as presented through the development of the characters. I really enjoyed this book - Andy on Amazon
5 out of 5 stars

A masterpiece of storytelling
Robert Hansen leads you through the twists and turns of the many stories in this book with a masterful and seamless portrayal of each of the characters. History comes to brutal life in this view of the civil war era, in a way that will change your outlook on it from textbook to real life. - Derrell on Amazon
4.75 out of 5 stars

Charlie’s Wives is a title that surely deceived me.
Charles Brewster served four years of bloody engagements in the war, and later worked to recruit African American soldiers. Though his recruiting role went beyond finding recruits he also took to writing and reading letters to the wives of men that were serving in the war.
Even though this is a book dealing with the harshness of war it is also heart warming to read about the families and how they deal with their men away at war. With the task of recruiting many men and writing letters for the women Charlie gets to hear the most intimate parts of many relationships. Charlie develops a fondness for the women that brings a heart warming feel to the book. To read and see that Charlie still suffers from mental stress of his time in the war but that he also turn around and make something loving come from that bitterness makes Charlie a real hero.
I see this as an inspirational story because of Charlie’s dedication and compassion for the men of military service. The story offers flashbacks of Charlie’s war time and his current position as a recruiter for the Army. While recruiting, Charlie is adamant that the women write to his men. Charlie’s life seem to revolve around keeping the men at war encouraged. This is where his compassion for the men is displayed so strongly. He could have served his time and went on to do his duties as a recruiter. His being away from his mother and sister and not getting returned letters made him upset and frustrated. This could definitely play a vital part in his need to make sure others stay in contact with their families. The book is well written and tells a unique story based off of true events. I did find the book entertaining. I wanted Charlie to find a happy ending. The dialogue such as: “Ya’ll, Marser, and sah” took awhile for me to get use to. Readers should be mindful that the language used in the book is dialectic that was acceptable during the 1800’s and the description of war scenes may be too harsh for readers that don’t want to read the details of war.
I would recommend to those that enjoy a good read, but not necessarily one that ends in a completely happy ending. - By LAS Reviewer on 12 January 2017
4 out of 5 stars

Charlie has returned seemingly unscathed but PTSD and depression are unknown at the time and on the surface he seems fine. He is The year 1864 is turbulent in America. Charlie has returned seemingly unscathed but PTSD and depression are unknown at the time and on the surface he seems fine. He is psychologically scarred by the effects of war - the death and for him needless dying of thousands has hit him hard. Much harder than those of his fellow soldiers. To them he seems delicate, sensitive and these are qualities unknown to them. This puts Charlie at a disadvantage. They look at him with slight disdain and also suspicion.
Charlie is assigned a role to find African Americans to serve. To recruit them he is given an incentive payment but it is not enough and Charlie finds that talking to the African American women may be the key to getting the men to enlist. Whilst he is successful in doing this, it is misrepresented by his commanding officer who is a boor and a coward who tries to undermine Charlie's efforts at every turn.
Charlie helps the women by writing for them. Letters to their husbands giving details of their homes and children and their own feelings because he knows how much he longed for letters himself from his mother and sisters when he was on the battlefield. He also reads the letters that come back from the husbands and through this interchange, Charlie builds up relationships with the women who are quite distant from the other white men of the camp.
Charlie is an outstanding man of the times. Sensitive and compassionate and compared with the others of his camp he is such a good man. Not appreciated of course by his seniors or his peers who do not quite understand him.
Characterizations was spot on throughout the book and the story was a good one, highlighting a part of the war where African Americans were an integral part of the war to win liberty at a time when such liberty was at risk.
The book is also a story based on true events. - Mystica Varathapalanon 16 January 2017
4 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking
This book broke my heart on soo many levels. I have wondered for years how different our world would be if PTSD was known about and addressed centuries ago. I have often wondered how different the aftermath of the Civil War would have been in this regard. This book is about the Civil War and Charlie who served for 3 years and then comes to be a recruiter. They need men so he is supposed to be recruiting African American soldiers for the Union. It is a hard and daunting task. He realizes many of them can't read or write.
He starts a friendship of sorts with one of the women whose husband he recruited. He soon has more recruits and he finds himself writing letters to them for the wives hence the title 'Charlie's Wives'. His intent is pure as he remembers being on the battlefield and yearning for the letters from home. He is also the reader of the replies and the conveyor or any bad news. Without giving too much away his commanding officer is not keen with the interactions with the women and his letter writing. The book also contains him having episodes that would now be labeled as PTSD and now he could get the resources to help.
His interactions with his 'wives' and some other characters show the devastation war can bring to a person. I would definitely recommend this book with a box of Kleenex.
(I received an E-Book from Netgalley for reviewing.) - Tiffany S on 21 February 2017
5 out of 5 stars

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Interstice photo credits - top and bottom photos Season 1: Simon Luckhurst, all the rest: Adam Luckhurst, all photos Season 2: Simon Luckhurst

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