Angus Bethune

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Bethune, Walter Angus (1794–1885)

ANGUS BETHUNE “A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune” is the one story in this collection that does not include a character from any of my novels. In the fall of 1988, shortly after finishing writing Chinese Handcuffs and looking for something a little lighter to cool off my word processor, I received a call from Don Gallo, who had. Angus Ewan Bethune: Birthdate: circa 1624: Birthplace: Isle of Angus, Angus, Scotland (United Kingdom) Death: Inverness, Highland, UK Immediate Family: Son of Ferquhard Betoun and Mrs. Ferquhard Bethune Husband of Florence Bethune Father of John Bethune, Min. Managed by: Gwyneth McNeil: Last Updated: November 27, 2016.

This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 1, (MUP), 1966

Angus Bethune is an overweight teenage boy living in Minnesota who, despite his talents in football and science, holds deep insecurities about himself. Since kindergarten, he has been regularly harassed by handsome but cruel Rick Sanford and his cohorts, for not being 'normal'. His only friend is Troy Wedberg, another social outcast.

Walter Angus Bethune (1794-1885), merchant and settler, was born in Scotland, the son of Rev. John Bethune, D.D., minister of Dornoch, and his wife Barbara, née Munro. He visited Van Diemen's Land in 1820 and returned next year to settle. He rapidly established himself as a merchant in Hobart Town, with a counting house, several city allotments, a whaling base at Slopen Island and several country holdings. With George Read as his partner he built a warehouse on Hunter Island in 1822. In the next four years he exported 320 tons of oil and 10 tons of whalebone, and he claimed to have loaded four ships in 1827 with colonial produce for London and exported 8000 bushels (214 tons) of wheat to Sydney and Isle of France. By 1830 he was a director of the Bank of Van Diemen's Land and of the Commercial Bank of Tasmania. During his first decade as a colonist, his country managers often complained of stolen stock, and, although he seldom went into the interior, he had been robbed and thrown by Matthew Brady and his bushranging gang into the Sorell Town Gaol and shut up with common felons. He twice joined in pursuit of the gang, and in one crisis acted as a constable for a month; the leaders escaped, but he had sweet revenge in capturing one, Jeremiah Ryan, with his own hands.

According to the land commissioners of 1826 Bethune's land was 'merely fit for sheep', but his Saxon sheep were well bred and his merinos came from pure English stock. In 1829 when he sailed for England with a cargo of wool, forty of the bales came from his own flock and his fleeces topped the London wool sales with 24½d. He returned in 1830 to settle permanently on Dunrobin, his large estate at Ouse. By purchase and lease he soon acquired 25,000 acres (10,117 ha), his holdings extending nearly to Lake St Clair. His high class merinos were in great demand among new settlers at Port Phillip, and in 1839 before his second trip to England, he sold 7000 sheep, and 300 cattle.

Bethune became a justice of the peace, an active organizer for roads and bridges, and a nominated member of the Legislative Council in 1834-38. With great faith in the power of public opinion, he added his name to countless petitions for civic rights and efficient government. His relentless vigour was well illustrated in his dispute with Lieutenant-Governor Sir George Arthur in 1827 over encroachment on the waterfront of his warehouse on Hunter Island; Bethune sold the store but his charge against Arthur's alleged breach of faith was carried to the Colonial Office.

Although originally Presbyterian, Bethune became an Anglican and helped to build the church at Ouse. Principled and proud, he won place and wealth for himself and his enterprise benefited the colony, before he retired to England in 1856. He died on 28 November 1885 at Kensington in London.

In 1832 at St David's Church, Hobart, Bethune had married Charlotte Elizabeth, the daughter of Captain John Charles Stracey of the 11th Dragoons, and a sister of J. C. Stracey, an auctioneer of Hobart. On the death of his wife in 1864 he married Julia Elwell, who survived him. Several of his eight daughters married into the Scottish landed gentry and the four sons took over the Tasmanian properties. One grandson, Rev. J. W. Bethune, became headmaster of Launceston Church of England Grammar School, and another, Rev. F. P. Bethune, won fame serving as a combatant officer in World War 1. A great-grandson became leader of the Opposition in the Tasmanian Parliament.

Select Bibliography

• Historical Records of Australia, series 3, vol 6
• R. W. Giblin, The Early History of Tasmania, vol 2 (Melb, 1939)
• Colonial Times (Hobart), 21 July 1826
• correspondence file under Bethune (Archives Office of Tasmania).

Citation details

Peter Chapman, 'Bethune, Walter Angus (1794–1885)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bethune-walter-angus-1775/text1991, published first in hardcopy 1966, accessed online 19 May 2021.

This article was first published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 1, (MUP), 1966

View the front pages for Volume 1

© Copyright Australian Dictionary of Biography, 2006-2021

Angus is a 1995 comedy film directed by Patrick Read Johnson. The majority was filmed in Owatonna, Minnesota, at the Owatonna Senior High School. It stars Charlie Talbert and James Van Der Beek in their first film roles, as well as Chris Owen, Ariana Richards, George C. Scott, Kathy Bates, and Rita Moreno. The film is based on the short storyA Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune by Chris Crutcher, which is collected in his book Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories.

Plot[edit]

Angus Bethune is an overweight teenage boy living in Minnesota who, despite his talents in football and science, holds deep insecurities about himself. Since kindergarten, he has been regularly harassed by handsome but cruel Rick Sanford and his cohorts, for not being 'normal'. His only friend is Troy Wedberg, another social outcast. Angus has feelings for Melissa Lefevre, who is dating Rick. Tired of Rick's abuse, Angus applies to a magnet school where he hopes to be free of the constant humiliation. However, well aware of his feelings for Melissa, Rick rigs an election so that they will dance together in the upcoming freshman Winter Ball as King and Queen, respectively. After the stunt, the principal forbids Angus to lay a hand on Rick, or he would be expelled and lose his chance to go to the magnet school.

To prepare for the dance, Angus gets help from Troy, his mother, Meg, and his narcoleptic grandfather, Ivan. Angus takes dancing lessons with Madame Rulenska, but the lessons go badly. Later on, despite his request for a black tuxedo, Ivan purchases him a plum suit and tells him that he can be normal and an individual at the same time. He tells him that running away to another school will not solve anything and that he needs to stand up against Rick.

One day after school, Rick and company kidnap Troy and ask him for anything that would embarrass Angus at the Winter Ball. Troy refuses to help them and tries to escape, only to break his arm as he trips to the floor while Rick gives him an ultimatum. At home, Meg tells Ivan that Angus' transfer to a magnet school would be for the best. Ivan accuses Meg of over-mothering Angus and warns her that letting him run away from his bullies is a mistake.

Angus helps Ivan prepare for his and his fiancée April's wedding. As Angus waits outside Ivan's room on the day of the wedding, he confides with him about his love for Melissa and how wishes he could stand up to Rick and tell Melissa how he feels. When he tries to wake him, Angus quickly discovers that Ivan has died and tells the wedding guests there. Distraught, Angus opts to stay home for a few days trying to cope with Ivan's death.

Fearing a reprisal from Rick, Troy gives him a videotape containing footage of Angus practicing his dancing with an inflatable doll while confessing his feelings for Melissa. Troy then visits Angus at home to offer his condolences, and an argument ensues. When Troy calls him out for not understanding how it feels to be ostracized by Rick, Angus snaps and tells Troy that he knows better. He also tells Troy that he won't go to the Winter Ball, mainly because he still plans to transfer, but also to escape Rick's humiliation and better cope with his grandfather's death.

Later that week, Angus receives a box from April containing the plum suit that he had earlier rejected. In that moment, Angus realizes that Ivan was right all along: he needs to stand up for himself and face Rick or nothing will change. Resolved to follow Ivan's advice, he rejects an interview from the magnet school, wears the plum suit, and marches to the dance in the school gymnasium. Outside, Troy warns Angus that Rick has a terrible prank planned for him, and advises him to turn around and return home at once. Angus rebuffs his warning and meets Melissa inside, and they converse for the first time. As they are introduced to the students, Rick plays Troy's videotape on the monitors, and the students laugh. A humiliated Melissa punches Rick in the face and runs out in tears. Angus follows her, infuriated with Troy for betraying him to Rick.

Angus apologizes to Melissa, but she does not blame him. Instead, she reveals her disgust with Rick and confesses to Angus that she is bulimic. She also mentions that Rick is very controlling and abusive towards her and the other students. Angus learns that Melissa likes him more than Rick because he is kind and respectful of others. Finding common ground, they go back inside and dance, even as she helps him out with some of the steps. After receiving a mild reception from the students, Rick scolds her, while Angus comes to her defense. Rick begins aggressively shoving Angus and follows up with a hard punch to the face, breaking Angus's nose and sending him crashing through a table. Angus defiantly rises to his feet and shouts back, 'I'm still here, asshole!' Angus then repeatedly pushes Rick until he falls to the ground, telling him that no matter how many times Rick knocks him down, he will always get back up. Angus petitions him to realize that there are many people who don't fit his idea of 'normal,' and are fed up with the humiliation. He gives Rick a choice to join them and accept them as individuals, or continue to think of himself as normal. Rick selfishly replies, 'Whatever I am, it's something you're never gonna be,' to which Angus retorts, 'Thank God!' The students congratulate Angus and even Rick's former friends abandon him. Melissa dances with Angus again and Troy enacts revenge on Rick by breaking his nose with his cast and impressing a girl upon whom he has a crush.

Melissa asks Angus to walk her home, and they kiss before Melissa retires for the night. Angus rejects the offer to transfer to the magnet school, realizing that his grandfather was right and that he doesn't have to run away anymore. Angus mentions that Rick was suspended for his video prank and for breaking Troy's arm. He also mentions that Rick's popularity with the other students suffered since Angus stood up to him and thus they have no reason to fear him anymore.

Alternate cut[edit]

Early in production, the film contained scenes wherein Angus' father was gay, reflecting the original story. Producer Dawn Steel at first approved the idea, but upon seeing a test screening she asked director Johnson to cut it. Hence, it is said early in the film that he died when Angus was born.^{[citation needed]}

In addition, deleted and extended scenes are integrated into the cut-for-television version of the film to make up running time.^{[citation needed]}

Cast[edit]

• Charlie Talbert as Angus Bethune
• Chris Owen as Troy Wedberg
• Kathy Bates as Meg Bethune
• George C. Scott as Ivan Bethune
• James Van Der Beek as Rick Sanford
• Ariana Richards as Melissa Lefevre
• Rita Moreno as Madame Rulenska
• Wesley Mann as Mr. Kessler
• Robert Curtis Brown as Alexander
• Anna Thompson as April Thomas
• Kevin Connolly as Andy

Reception[edit]

Angus received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Some critics consider the film as a superficial after-school special for its familiar underdog story and inherent preachiness. As such, it scores a 67% 'fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 18 reviews.^[1] It was released in a wave of other obesity-related films that came out at the time, notably Heavyweights (1995), which went for mostly comedy, and Heavy (1996), which was a strong drama. It straddled the fence between comedy and drama, at points to its detriment to some critics.

Some reviewers conclude that it more accurately portrays high school life than similar films about adolescence, since it takes a critical view of obesity, bullying, self-esteem, and high school inclusiveness, while highlighting the importance of assuring oneself in an ideologically competitive world. Reviews of note in this camp is Roger Ebert's 3 star review, starting 'Here it is at last, at long last, after years and years and years: A movie where the smart fat kid gets the girl and humiliates the football hero.'^[2]

The film's lead, Charlie Talbert, was also given mixed reviews. Rita Kempley of The Washington Post' said 'Charlie Talbert, a 16-year-old discovered in line at an Illinois Wendy's, brings neither experience nor charisma to the title role of this stock tale of petty adolescent cruelties.'^[3] Emanuel Levy,^[who?] while giving the film a 'C', conceded Angus was 'played by newcomer Charles M. Talbert with a certain charm.'^[4] Ebert's review of the film concludes with 'Charlie Talbert is a good casting choice for Angus, because he isn't a 'sort of' fat kid, like those models in the King Size catalog who look about 12 pounds overweight. He is fat. But he is also smart, likable, resilient and engaging. And he has the gift of deflecting his shortcomings with humor.'^[2]

Box office[edit]

The film was released theatrically in North America on Friday, September 15, 1995, on 1,154 screens.^[5] It debuted in eighth place amidst the crowded box office. It opened against Hackers and Clockers, while To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, Dangerous Minds, The Usual Suspects, and Braveheart were still having a strong showing in box office numbers.^[6]To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar ultimately won the weekend with $6,544,960 as it expanded to 1,448 screens.

In its second weekend, Sept 22–24, the film slipped to twelfth place with $1,314,839 from 1,156 screens, its widest release (a percentage drop of 31.3%). Se7en opened on this weekend and won the box office with $13,949,807 from 2,441 screens.^[7]

Availability[edit]

The film was released on VHS on August 27, 1996, but is currently on moratorium. It was later shown in an edited-for-television form on Turner owned cable television stations.

On December 17, 2009, Warner Archive released the film as an official DVD. It was made available on HBO Max at launch.

Angus Bethune Short Story Pdf

Soundtrack[edit]

The film's soundtrack accurately reflects the melodic ideas prevalent in the alternative rock scene at the time. Most of the bands perform songs that closely resonate with its themes while keeping a fast yet upbeat tone, a sharp departure from the age of grunge, which had just reached its twilight. Weezer's initial offering, a song entitled 'Wanda (You're My Only Love)' (or sometimes just 'Wanda'), was written specifically for the film but rejected for being 'too much of a strict interpretation of the movie' and for not sounding enough like what was expected of Weezer at the time. The previously written, more uptempo 'You Gave Your Love to Me Softly' was used instead, and the rejection of the former song was known to have hurt Weezer's singer and songwriter Rivers Cuomo at the time. Though Weezer never properly recorded 'Wanda', Cuomo released his 1994 demo of the song (along with the story of the song's submission and rejection) in 2007 on the album Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo.

The unique version of 'Am I Wrong' by Love Spit Love, mixing marching band horns into its original version which interplay well with Richard Butler's raw vocals. Green Day contributed 'J.A.R. (Jason Andrew Relva)', a song written by bassist Mike Dirnt about his friend who died in a car accident when he was 19. It peaked at number one on the Modern Rock Billboard charts of 1995. It was later released on their 2001 greatest hits album, International Superhits. Meanwhile, Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong co-produced 'Back to You' by the Riverdales with producer Mass Giorgini, which was featured during the dance sequence at the high prom in the film.

The music supervisors for the film were Elliot Cahn and Jeff Saltzman, who, at the time, also managed two of the soundtrack's artists: Green Day and The Muffs.

Angus Cast

Track listing[edit]

1. 'J.A.R.' - Green Day - 2:52
2. 'Jack Names the Planets' - Ash - 3:13
3. 'Enough' - Dance Hall Crashers - 3:01
4. 'Kung Fu' - Ash - 2:17
5. 'Back to You' - Riverdales - 3:33
6. 'Mrs. You and Me' - Smoking Popes - 3:34
7. 'You Gave Your Love to Me Softly' - Weezer - 1:59
8. 'Ain't That Unusual' - Goo Goo Dolls - 3:18
9. 'Funny Face' - The Muffs - 3:21
10. 'White Homes' - Tilt - 2:09
11. 'Deep Water' - Pansy Division - 2:10
12. 'Am I Wrong' - Love Spit Love (Marching band version, similar to its appearance in the film - not labeled as such) - 3:34

References[edit]

Angus Bethune Short Story

1. ^Rotten Tomatoes' Angus page.
2. ^ ^abRoger Ebert's review of Angus - Chicago Suntimes September 15, 1995.
3. ^Review, The Washington Post, September 15, 1995.
4. ^Film review, emanuellevy.com; accessed December 27, 2015.
5. ^Box Office Mojo's Angus page.
6. ^Box Office Mojo - Weekend Numbers, Sept 15-17.
7. ^Box Office Mojo - Weekend Numbers, Sept 22-24.
8. ^McDonald, Steven. Angus at AllMusic

External links[edit]

Angus Bethune Movie

• Angus at IMDb
• Angus at Box Office Mojo

Angus Bethune Short Story