Cirrus@Austlit

'This is a story of the old convict days in Australia, depicting in all severity the customs of the times. Ralph Frawley, at an early age, was transported to Australia for poaching. After a short imprisonment he was assigned to a wealthy resident of Tasmania. He falls in love with his master's niece and secretly marries her. The wife leaves her uncle for ever, and not until meeting Frawley some time after does the uncle learn of the marriage, and also of his niece's death. His sympathies are aroused, and he promises to adopt the child, whom he afterwards takes to England. Frawley in the meantime decides to live an honourable life. Under an assumed name he rises to eminence and wealth, and seeing in an English paper his daughter's betrothal he decides to re-visit England, and make known his identity. His wish is gratified, his daughter acknowledges him, and he remains in England respected by all who knew him. He lives to a ripe old age surrounded by a number of his grandchildren, who make his declining days happy.'

Source:

'Bijou Pictures', Goulburn Evening Penny Post, 19 August 1911, p.4.

'The picture "Keane of Kalgoorlie" was shown in two parts. Frank Keane, a Sydney clerk, is betrothed to Tess Murton, who bids him a tearful farewell at Circular Quay as he sails away to the West to make a rapid fortune After his departure one Gregory Harris proposes to Tess. Rejected, he finds out the reason then treacherously arranges with [?] Ross to have a telegram sent stating that Keane has been married to a Kalgoorlie barmaid. Believing the story, Tess accepts and is married to Harris. Ten years later Keane and Tess meet again. The former is now a rich man and has come back to Sydney to run a horse in the Sydney Cup. Soon after his arrival he meets the man who sent the telegram and the Iatter discloses that Harris give him £I00 to do so. Ross shoots himself and when dead is robbed by Harris, who is attracted by the fatal revolver shot. A "dosser" is also attracted and he attaches himself to Harris, levying blackmail upon him. Tess overhears the two plotting to abduct Keane so that his horse shall not win the Cup. She cannot stop the abduction, but she finds and releases Keane in time for him to start his horse and win the great race. Harris then played a trump card, accusing Keane of the murder of Ross. At the trial the stolen watch is produced and proves Keane's innocence, also that Harris was at the bottom of all the trouble. Harris in turn kills himself. Then Keane marries Tess and lives happily ever after. It is a very dramatic set of pictures, with rather much tragedy and crime, but seemed to appeal to most of the andience.'

Source:

'Wonderland Pictures: "Keane of Kalgoorlie",' Mildura Cultivator, 2 September 1911, p.8.

'Frank Gardiner, or to give his real name, Frank Christie, was a Goulburn lad, early accused of theft by his father, and ordered to quit. Then he meets his future wife, and his bushranging career leads him into many tight holes. He gallantly saves his sweetheart from the sea, where she has been cast by her father, and finally ends up in gaol, where he has been sentenced to serve 32 years' hard labour. After 10 years, however, he is released. In the picture there are 25 scenes well dramatised and well photographed.'

Source:

'"King of the Road": An Australian Picture Play', Evening News, 23 February 1911, p.2.

'The picture is one of considerable length, and will occupy the whole of the second part of the programme. It will show from the start of the gang until Ben Hall was riddled with bullets on the banks of the Lachlan at Forbes.'

Source:

'Ben Hall and His Gang', The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, 8 March 1911, p.2.