Cirrus@Austlit

Longford-Lyell Australian Productions was formed by Raymond Longford and Lottie Lyell in May 1922 with an initial starting capital of £50,000. Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper (1980) note that this was not an especially good time for the local film industry, particularly in view of the recent closure by Franklin Barrett of his company's Sydney Office (p. 152). Hence, the only film to be produced by Longford and Lyell before their company was forced into liquidation was The Dinkum Bloke (1923), starring Arthur Tauchert (q.v.). Although the film received unanimous praise both in Australia and England (where it was released as A Gentleman in Mufti), and recouped more than its production costs in Australia alone, the company's financial backers were reluctant to continue with their support and Longford-Lyell Australian Productions subsequently folded in June 1924.

Seemingly undeterred by the events that led to them being forced to wind up their first company, Longford and Lyell set up a new, and similarly named film company, Longford-Lyell Productions.