‘Patch Adams’ the movie - what an impact!

19990418.jpg (11009 bytes) (This photo was taken at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne during a Patch Adams promotion. Two new doctors left with fun hats and the clowns visited patients.)

We’re receiving reports from around Australia and New Zealand on the movie ‘Patch Adams’. They are usually two-fold: Firstly, what people enjoyed about the movie itself and secondly, the reaction of the audience. People say the movie is uplifting, touching and funny. (Ignore the critics.)

The reports on how the audience responded during the movie and afterwards are very interesting. In Hamilton, NZ for example, after the movie, the people who had been, were "polite and letting others through in the car park" (unusual behaviour we’re told). Clapping too in lots of places until the audiences catch themselves doing it, then they stop.

We attended a fundraiser screening of ‘Patch Adams’ for The Australian Humanitarian Foundation and the Ian Gawler Foundation. It was great being with so many other whacky people who were friendly, outgoing, (outrageous more like) colourful and committed to the Patch Adams’ cause of building a better world. It was a fun-filled occasion with lashings of light-heartedness and laughter.

How to see the movie

School Principal, John Brady writes that instead of having the usual staff meeting, he took all the staff to see Patch Adams. In his words "What an impact!" This is a great idea. Even if some people have seen the movie, think about organising a group of people from work to see the movie together. It is a real morale booster.

The Real Patch Adams

You’ll see we have a special section to devoted to the real Patch Adams on the home page. As an update: the movie has taken over $134m in USA and is doing well in Australia. Incidentally, Patch Adams doesn’t have a share in these takings, but Patch tells us that the movie is motivating people to make donations to the Gesundheit Institute. For even more information...

The Gawler Foundation is selling both Gesundheit and House Calls - books written by Patch Adams - Phone Aust 03 5967 1730. To contact Patch Adams direct write to Patch Adams MD, Gesundheit Institute, 6855 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22213, USA. We will be putting some of Patch’s ideas in note form on our web site this week - stay tuned!

Patch Adams MD:

"The most revolutionary act you can commit in our society today, is to be happy in public."

Thank you to all those people who keep in touch with us and share their ideas. Spread the joy!

Patricia Cameron-Hill & Shayne Yates.