Cirrus@Austlit

An artist's model falls foul of the artist for whom she is sitting, a wealthy widow, and a blackmailer.

'To say that it is among the best of the Australian pictures presented within the last year or two is, unfortunately, not recommending it very highly. Providing one sees it In a good-humoured frame of mind, there is mild entertainment in it. One particularly satisfactory feature is the acting. The players do not by any means express emotion on an heroic scale, but at least they succeed In appearing natural, instead of walking on and off in palpable fear of the camera. Consciously or unconsciously, Mr. Hamster has based his story on American models. He opens with the familiar bathing party scene, with couples gaily jazzing in their swimming costumes round the pool. There are "novelty races" with balloons. The villain of the piece, it appears, is tremendously rich, and is "always giving a party of some sort." Hence it is only a minute or two before one Is plunged into fancy dress, dancing Indoors, and scenes on the moonlit terrace, where "modern" girls puff their cigarettes and nonchalently [sic] flirt. Of course, there is no reason why America should have a monopoly of depicting jazz and Indiscriminate kissing on the screen; but American producers have so painstakingly exploited these motives that it seems hardly worth while to enter into competition with them. Though one could hardly put one's finger on any incident and call it objectionable, the whole atmosphere surrounding "Should a Girl Propose?" is stuffy, morally. From time to time bright little Interludes of farce enable one to forgot the ancient triangle–pretty girl; poor hero; and rich, unscrupulous villain, tempting the heroine with luxuries–but for the most part attention is concentrated only too strongly upon It.'

Source:

'New Australian Film', Sydney Morning Herald, 1 April 1926, p.5.

'The picture which will be released in Sydney shortly, unfolds an interesting little romance, poignantly sad in parts, but ending pleasantly. Shortly, it tells of the doings of a destitute girl, Juanita, who, by a chain of happy circumstances, acquires success on the stage. Her lover–the Rev. Dell–is less fortunate, for, while fighting on her behalf he receives a blow which renders him temporarily blind. After years of separation, during which time he is cared for by Lucie, another of his admirers, who meets her death in tragic circumstances, at the reunion scene, the lovers meet again. His eyesight is suddenly restored, and the picture ends with the two happily united.'

Source:

'Amusements', The Sydney Morning Herald, 25 July 1924, p.13.

'The story is as follows: Dr. Audrey Mather, a keen advocate tor the compulsory medical examination of both sexes prior to marriage, refuses to encourage the attention of Dr. Sterling Worth to her daughter Dorothy, on account of his physical unfitedness, [sic] according to her ideals. Count Detro, a gentleman of foreign nobility and possessing sure physical attractions, gains Dr. Audrey's consent to a marriage with her daughter, on condition that he undergoes a medical examination and presents a clean bill of health. The count's past dissipations and inaction with a disease cause him to hesitate, but believing that he has long since been cured he undergoes the test. By the strange workings of fate Dr. Worth makes the examination and discovers traces of a disease. He warns the count that he must defer his marriage with Dorothy, but the count, knowing of Dr. Worth's affection for her, believes an ulterior motive underlies his discovery and refuses to postpone the marriage. Dr. Worth finally threatens to reveal the truth to Dorothy's mother, and the count, knowing of Dr. Worth's rather adverse financial circumstances, bribes him to give him a, clean bill of health. He is indignant at the offer, but a sudden illness of his mother prompts him to accept the count's bribe in order to save her life. Meanwhile preparations for Dorothy's marriage are proceeding apace. On the day of the wedding Dr. Worth decides to tell the truth, and tells Dorothy as she is at the altar. The count shoots Worth and he dies in Dorothy's arms.'

Source:

'Lenard's New Programme', Barrier Miner, 26 May 1924, p.3.

'Chalmers, of course, has the role of the hero. He is the first mate of a wrecked ship, the crew of which and a pretty girl passenger are cast upon an island. The crew comprises foreigners of the usual evil design and variety, and Chalmers saves the pirl from them. He is captured, and she escapes into the bush, and is subsequently rescued by a retired naval officer. The hero, too, is saved from death as a result of a unique set of circumstances, and a little later the wedding takes place, and "they live happily ever after."'

Source:

'Jack Chalmers Makes Fame as Picture Actor', Sunday Times, 28 May 1922, p.3.

'[A] two reel comedy about a man who learns on holiday that he is not as old as he thought.'

Source: NFSA.

Advertised as

A Modern Australian Romance of Thrill, Pathos, Love and Logic.

A Stirring and Original Story of a Brave Australian Girl's long and perilous motor cycle ride right into the vast interior of Australia to save the man she loved.

How she Fought and how she Won is realistically told in this Beautiful Story.

Source: See advertisement below.