The 1960 film "The Sundowners" is a film based on the novel of the same title written by Jon Cleary. The film is set in rural Australia around 1928 and is about a family of "Sundowners", itinerant workers who travel from place to place. The family consists of the Carmody's, Paddy the father, Ida his wife, and Sean his teenage son. Paddy likes the nomad lifestyle but Ida and Sean want to settle down in one place. The three arrive in a town and are joined by Englishman Rupert Venneker, who they discover has a past. The four get jobs at a large sheep ranch where Paddy herds and shears sheep, Ida becomes a cook, Sean becomes a "tar boy" or assistant and Rupert as a sheepherder. Paddy likes to drink and gamble which causes problems for the family. Two English pennies appear during a gambling scene where men are playing the Australian "Two-up" game.

The Carmody's, Paddy, Ida, and Sean live an itinerant lifestyle in rural 1920's Australia.

It is evening and they set up camp near a ranch for sale.

Ida takes care of the family money which is kept in a fruit jar which Ida later looks longingly at.

The family is joined by Rupert Venneker, an Englishman with a past, who assists them in driving a herd of sheep to a town.

Rupert has lived in many places and Sean, the boy, likes to listen to his stories. He was the son of an English lord, served with the "17th Lancers" but was cashiered (discharged for some offense), and a sea captain.

Ida, who has led a hard life, sees a woman on a train.

The woman reminds Ida of the life she could have had. The men go to work shearing sheep.

The family camps near the town and spends time at a pub run by the glamorous Mrs. Firth.

The cash register was probably an antique even in the 1920's. After some drinking, the men head outside for a Two-up coin tossing game.

One man throws two large coins into the air and the men bet on which sides will show when the coins land.

The coins are Great Britain large pennies, polished from long use, and only the reverses are shown. They were minted with this reverse Britannia design from 1860 to 1970 under the monarchs Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II. Australian began minting large pennies in 1911.

A British penny of of the period:

Bronze, 30.8 mm, 9.45 gm
Obverse: King George V with titles
Reverse: Seated figure of Britannia right with trident in left hand

The coins are thrown and the men wait.

Paddy wins 200 pounds and his wife realizes there is now enough for a down payment on a ranch. Paddy has also won a race horse which he enters in a race with his son as a jockey. The horse wins the race but is disqualified. Paddy then returns home with a confession.

Paddy has lost all of his money playing Two-up. Ida forgives him.

The family laughs at the loss of money and then Paddy indicates that he now wants to settle down, once they get some more money. The pack up and head for the next job.

Robert Mitchum as Paddy Carmody
Deborah Kerr as Ida Carmody
Michael Anderson Jr. as Sean Carmody
Peter Ustinov as Rupert Venneker
Glynis Johns as Mrs. Firth
Chips Rafferty as Quinlan
Dina Merrill as Jean Halstead
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Writers: Isobel Lennart, Jon Cleary (novel)