Dust or Polish? (1950) is a novel by Australian writer and artist Norman Lindsay.[1]

Dust or Polish?
First edition
AuthorNorman Lindsay
LanguageEnglish
GenreFiction
PublisherAngus & Robertson, Sydney
Publication date
1950
Publication placeAustralia
Media typePrint
Pages205 pp
Preceded byHalfway to Anywhere 
Followed byRooms and Houses 

Story outline

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The novel tells the story of ex-chorus girl Rita Aanson who goes into the second-hand furniture trade in the Sydney suburb of Paddington.

Critical reception

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Reviewing the novel in The Argus Gladys Hain noted a technique of Lindsay's: "Although Norman Lindsay's Dust Or Polish is a quite well-knit story, it will hold the interest rather because of the author's little habit of putting his views on art – and artists – into the mouths of his characters, than because of any intrinsic merit as a literary effort."[2]

In The Sydney Morning Herald, the reviewer was full of praise: "Norman Lindsay's latest novel (his tenth) is a lively, vigorous work sprinkled with the wisdom and keen observations of a mature thinker, and written with the technical skill of an artist. The characters are vitally projected, the narrative flows smoothly and the novel is full of shrewd and thoughtful comments on art, life, manners, morals and, of course, the second-hand and period furniture business that provides an interesting background."[3]

Television adaptation

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Dust or Polish?
Directed byJulian Pringle
Written byPeter Kenna
Based onnovel by Norman Lindsay
Produced byAlan Burke
Distributed byABC
Release date
  • October 1972 (1972-10)
Running time
60 mins
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

The novel was adapted for television in 1972. The television movie was directed by Julian Pringle, from a script by Peter Kenna, and featured Arthur Dignam, Sandy Gore, and Barbara Stephens. The drama was broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in October 1972.[4] It was part of a series of adaptations of Norman Lindsay works.[5]

Cast

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ AustLit - Dust or Polish? by Norman Lindsay
  2. ^ "As his characters talk, Norman Lindsay thinks" by Gladys Hain, The Argus, 12 August 1950, p17
  3. ^ "New Fiction", The Sydney Morning Herald, 15 July 1950, p8
  4. ^ IMDB - Dust or Polish (1972)
  5. ^ "LINDSAY NOVELS ON TV". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 40, no. 9. 2 August 1972. p. 18. Retrieved 9 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
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