'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.
Showgirl's Luck's position as 'Australia's first talkie', much promoted in the late 1980s, after a print of the film was rediscovered, is the subject of some controversy.
See, for example:
'Australia's First "Talkie" Discovered', Newsletter (National Film and Sound Archive), no. 7 (August 1987), p.1.
'Australian Talkies before "Showgirl's Luck": Reply to Australia's First "Talkie" Discovered', Newsletter (National Film and Sound Archive), no. 8 (December 1987, pp.3-4. (Includes list of known Australian sound films produced or released prior to 24 November 1931.)
An overview of the first Australian feature film to be produced, completed and exhibited with an entire sound accompaniment.
An overview of the first Australian feature film to be produced, completed and exhibited with an entire sound accompaniment.
