"Talisman" David in Victoria asked me to quiz Derek in Australia about
an Oz movie called "Sand Pebbles" all about a Paddlewheeler.
Derek wrote back to me prmoptly, so I'm going to post the reply here
in case this prompts a spark of recollection from any one else in our
group.
"If you could pass on to David Powell, say six months ago I was
sitting in a Bar in the Sydney airport terminal waiting two hours for
a delayed flight and heard the sound of a steam whistle - looked at
the television and saw a paddle wheeler - Australian production,
Australian actors.
The story line was something like the following
Adopted? young woman with independent funds lends money to a
paddlewheel captain (who saved her life in a previous episode?) to
help with the paddle boat bills (keep the banks from the wheelhouse) -
next time the steamer comes down river she has a new name
Naturally the new name is that of the young lady - I am sure the name
is that of an American State - but cannot bring it to mind
The next time I spoke with my parents I mentioned to dad about the
program who asked me if my intended model would have independent
control of the paddles !!! - now from an 80+ very keen thinker I asked
why?
Dad mentioned that he had seen a television documentary on the series
which included information that the real life vessel was constructed
for the mini series complete with independent control of the paddles
If the story fits then it must be Sand Pebbles"
Whaddya think, David ? Does that sound like the movie you were talking
about? Anyone else heard of an Australian Paddlewheeler movie called
"Sand Pebbles"?
PJ