
Ruth Winifred Cracknell was an Australian character and comic actress, comedienne and author, her career encompassing all genres including radio, theatre, television and film. She appeared in many dramatic as well as comedy roles throughout a career spanning some 56 years. In theatre she was well known for her Shakespeare roles.
Explore all movies appearances

Five friends set off on an adventure in a small boat. They discover a mysterious island, where, one by one, they die a terrible death.

Billy is a boy who is trying to save a baby kangaroo called Joey when it is caught and taken to Sydney. Linda, the young daughter of the U.S. Ambassador is helping Billy in his task.

For forty years Lilian Singer has been locked up in a 'loony bin' by her father. Her release is eventually secured by her eccentric Aunt Kitty and her brother, John. Lilian starts to carve out a place for herself. As she explores Sydney and the people who live and work around her she sees others looking for love. Lilian shows us it is never too late to change your life and that even unusual choices can bring contentment.

A young ambulance driver befriends an elderly woman.

The grandson of a war veteran is found dead from an overdose of heroin. He and his old army buddies swing into action and stake out the drug dealer, only to discover a web of police corruption surrounding the drug dealing. Given police complicity in the matter, they take the law into their own hands.

Maitland and its sleepy neighbour, Morpeth, are never quite the same again, all due to a middle-aged couple and their hobby of violin playing. This animated film is a delight to both eye and ear. Victoria Robert’s quirky cartoons are perfect complements for Nick Enright’s cleverly constructed poem, while Ruth Cracknell’s reading of all parts adds wit and charm. An animated film by Jollification.

A couple move to Sydney from Melbourne, and soon become lured by the bright lights of the big city. Colin, the scriptwriter husband, is corrupted by his editor and then falls for the girlfriend of his writing partner, while Colin's wife Kate begins to lose sight of her ideals in a new world of hustlers and cynics.

This documentary explores the imaginative world of Australian novelist Elizabeth Jolley. It combines readings, dramatised segments, and witty and playful interviews in which Jolley talks about the craft and practical problems of writing, and her fictional treatment of old age, women's relationships, exile and displacement. Dramatic sequences bring to life Jolley's unforgettable characters. We see the funny, sad and bizarre worlds created in 'Woman in lampshade', 'Milk and Honey', 'Miss Peabody's Inheritance', 'Mr Scobies' Riddle' and 'Palamino'.

After Dan collapses at a train station, he enlists Maxie to watch his beloved dog, Molly. Maxie develops a soft spot for her new furry companion - a dog which has a unique ability to sing in tune.

The Best of Friends is a 1982 Australian romantic comedy about two best friends who have an affair one night, resulting in the woman becoming pregnant.
Subscribe for exclusive insights on movies, TV shows, and games! Get top picks, fascinating facts, in-depth analysis, and more delivered straight to your inbox.