Cirrus@Austlit

'As devised by Martin Keith, the scenario pictures the exploits of Dawn's company itself. Players arrive on location to make their first talkie, and the screen reveals both the comedy and the heart-break of it before the picture is in the cans. The idea sounds good. It departs from the back-stage business, yet allows specialty numbers to be dropped in as naturally as if a footlight story were being shot.'

Source:

'Australia Makes a Talkie: First All-Dialogue and Music Film', The Register News-Pictorial, 31 May 1930, p.19.

George Willis lives the life of a hermit in the Australian bush, after losing his unfaithful wife in an accidental fall. A chance encounter with a young girl makes him aware that an old enemy has accused him of murder.

'For Australia, directed for JC Williamson’s by Monte Luke, is a melodrama about a newspaper reporter captured by a German spy ring and taken to a secret island, where he is saved by a native girl and the Sydney.'

Source: Australian Screen. (Sighted: 9/7/2014)

'Many of the scenes in the story are taken onboard the Australian flagship Australia, and under Its frowning 12in guns the hero lieutenant and his sweetheart, pledge their troth. There is another officer also in love with the girl, and his jealousy leads to a bitter revenge. The events whlch follow show an attempt to steal certain details of a new explosive, and an abduction. Dave Smith, the Australian champion pugilist, takes part in the picture, and he is seen in a rescue scene of exciting situations. The appearance of a strange cruiser, the firing of a submarine mine, and the speeding of the fastest craft in Australian waters, is a prelude to the Australia being seen in action, and the 12in guns In play, and the destruction of the mysterious war-ship. The final scene is a naval wedding on Garden Island.'

Source:

'Paradise Pictures', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 23 December 1913, p.6.

The production company released the following list of scenes in the film:

• the sailor and his lass.
• the shadow of the 12in. guns (H.M.A.S. Australia)
• the new explosive,
• the spy
• the stolen plan from chart room H.M.A.S. Australia
• attempted robbery
• a well-known Australian pugilist to the rescue
• kidnapped
• black treachery
• the submarine mine
• the fastest craft in Australian waters
• the chase
• H.M.A.S. Australia in action
• the 12-in. guns in play
• the destruction of the mysterious warship by the 12in guns of H.M.A.S. Australia
• the secret safe
• Australia's own

Source:

'An Up-to-Date Film', Barrier Miner, 24 November 1913, p.6.