Book review: Cast Mates

If you say they're Aussie actors you are correct but they also star in a new book.

July 1 will see the release of Cast Mates by Sam Twyford-Moore. It is a group biography of Australian acting giants across the ages.

We've got a long history of cinema here in Australia starting with the world's first feature film made in Melbourne and released in 1906.

But as much of our talent goes to the US, what does this mean for both the history and future of Australian cinema?

Starring four larger-than-life personalities - Errol Flynn, Peter Finch, David Gulpilil and Nicole Kidman - Sam charts the history of Australian cinema from the Golden Age of Hollywood to the streaming wars of today, to tell a story of how a nation's cinema was founded, then faltered, before finding itself again.

The actors have dominated cinema screens both locally and internationally and starred in some of the biggest films of their eras - including The Adventures of Robin Hood, Network, Crocodile Dundee and Eyes Wide Shut among others.

From the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1930s to the streaming wars of today, the lives of these four actors and their many cast mates tell a story of how a nation's cinema was founded before faltering and finding its feet again.

British born Peter Finch was possibly the lesser known of the quartet but he is a key figure in the history of Australian cinema as the first ever Aussie to score an Academy Award for best actor - albeit a posthumous one for his portrayal of crazed television anchorman Howard Beale in the 1976 film Network.

The author grew up on the Central Coast of NSW and has a lifelong fascination with Hollywood and film.

Cast Mates (NewSouth, $34.99) even scored a top rating from movie guru Margaret Pomeranz who said: "Passionate, opinionated, political, this journey through Australia's iconic stars is meticulously researched and absolutely enthralling. For lovers of Australian cinema this is a must-read."