Cirrus@Austlit

'"Australia Calls," Spencer's Australian production that has caused so much excitement on the mainland, is the star feature of the now programme at the Princess Theatre to-night. It is 500ft. [sic] in length, and is Spencer's masterpiece production. It shows the invasion of Australia by a Mongolian race, and the great response made by Australia's sons at the call. The synopsis contains scenes of Australians at play, at the races, at football, the call to arms, the burning of Sydney, the enemy in possession, Australian mobilising, the capture of the wireless station, treachery, in the hands of the enemy, Australian bushmen rallying, tapping the overhead telegraph wires, the charge of the lancers, and ride for life, William E. Hart (Australia's aviator) to the rescue. The riding is said to be.splendid, and the picture most impressive.'

Source:

'Princess Theatre', Examiner [Launceston], 17 February 1914, p.6. (Via Trove Australia)

A Ruritanian romance, based on a play that had toured extensively and successfully through Australia.

Sylvia, a plucky young girl rescues Philip, a mining overseer, from the predations of her villainous stepfather, Black Dan, and the two are married. Some years later, Sylvia is kidnapped by Black Dan when he and his gang rob her house. Finding Sylvia gone, Philip assumes that she has left him, packs up both home and their daughter Edna, and departs overseas. Sylvia, escaping from the gang, enters a convent and becomes a teacher. Many years later, the two are reconciled through the chance discovery of a missing bracelet.

Contemporary reviews offered the following list of incidents:

Philip Maxwell's Contract–Phillp leaves tor the bank to draw the wages–"The Lizard" informs Black Dan, and they decide to rob him on his return–Sylvia Grey, Dan's Stepdaughter, overhears the plot, and tries to prevent the robbery–Philip, finding that he Is pursued, conceals the bag–He refuses to disclose where he has hidden the bag, and they then decide to slowly drown him–Sylvia finds Philip's horse, and rides for help–The Ride for Life–The Rescue–Two Years Later-Happily Married, Little Edna–The Next Evening–The Burglary–The Recognition, Back Dan's Revenge–Philip, unable to find any trace of his wife, sells his property and leaves for abroad–When yhieves fall out–Retribution–The Escape–Forsaken–Rescued by the Good Sisters Between Life and Death–Six months ,ater, the Sisters obtain a Situation for Sylvia–Three Years Afterwards; Philip, convalescent after a long illness, decides to return–The Lost Bangle–The School–The Following Day–Husband, Wife, and Child–Au Revoir, Sans Adieu.

Source:

Advertisement, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 April 1912, p.2.

A screen adaptation of a long-running and popular play, frequently performed on the Australian stage.

A contemporary advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald reads:

'MR. SPENCER has produced at great expense the true story of

DAN MORGAN

the notorious Australian outlaw, making no attempt to glorify his doing or palliate the heinousness of his crimes, but presenting the subject in such a way as will point a strong moral lesson, and show the ultimate fate of all evil-doers, for

THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH.'

[Advertising], Sydney Morning Herald, 20 May 1911, p.2.

Contemporary advertisements give the following details:

'SYNOPSIS.

'ENGLAND. — Hampstead Heath — Sir Richard Devine slain by Rex — His Son Dick accused — Parson North denounces Rex.

'VAN DIEMEN'S LAND. — Convict Settlement at Hell's Gate — Chain Gang — Gabbet's Escape and Capture — Chaplain North gives the Convicts Tobacco — Major Vickers announces the removal to Port Arthur — The Attack — The Departure.

'THE MUTINY. — On Board the Osprey — Captured by Convicts — The Mutineers Maroon Survivors.

'MAROONED. — Two weeks later — Rufus Dawes saved by Sylvia Vickers Three months later — Major Vickers' search for the Castaways — Death of Mrs. Vickers — Sylvia's memory lost through shock — Lieut. Frere accuses Rufus of the crime.

'PORT ARTHUR. — Dawes escapes — Sylvia fails to recognise him — Her memory returning, she wishes to see him — Lady Devine arrives to see her son.

'THE END.— Convicts Confess, and Innocence Proved, and Pardon Granted to "RUFUS DAWES".'

Source:

[Advertisement], Examiner [Launceston, Tasmania], 23 January 1912, p.1.

According to contemporary reviews:

'Miss Lily Dampier, Mr. Alfred Rolfe, and other artists carry on the action of the bushranging story, in which are several exciting pictures of horses at racing speed flying over logs and streams in rough country. In the elaborate series of clearly screened pictures taken by the Lyceum staff the situations revealed open at the home of the Marstons, passes on to an exciting race for the Gold Cup, won by Rainbow, shows how the bushrangers stick up the mail coach at the Rocky Rises, and exhibits Sir Ferdinand Morringer threatened with death in Terrible Hollow at the hands of the brutal Dan Moran, and his rescue by Starlight. One of the most applauded of the scenes last night was the burning of the stables and the rescue of the horses, and Starlight's Last Stand also excited enthusiasm.'

Source:

'Lyceum - "Captain Starlight"', Sydney Morning Herald, 19 March 1911, p.p.

Longford adapted this film from an American stage melodrama that he and Lottie Lyell had starred in the previous year. The narrative of the play on which the film is based is described as follows:

'The story of the "Fatal Wedding" is clear cut, full of pathos and sensationalism, bearing remarkable testimony to the many incidents of an everyday life, and the plot turns on the machinations of a scheming woman, who with her male accomplice, endeavours to destroy the happiness of an affectionate wedded pair. The two schemers manage to convince the husband, that his wife has dishonored his name, whereupon trouble ensues, and a divorce is obtained, and the wife has to support herself in poverty for years. During this time of trial she is greatly assisted by her girl child, who is appropriately designated "The Little Mother," and it is mainly owing to this child's endeavours, that the husband is eventually convinced that he has been the victim of a vile plot, and the husband and wife are once more happily united.'

Contemporary sources indicate that the film followed the play's plot closely.

[Source: 'Fatal Wedding', Kadina and Wallaroo Times, 29 October 1910, p.2.]

'The beginning of Vane's career of outlawry – the bailing up of a Chinese in pursuance of a wager – opens the series. His subsequent capture and release by his sweetheart; Ben Hall's many exploits in the Carcoar district, ending in the sticking up of the Keightley Homestead, and the shooting of Michael Burke, an outrage in which Vane throws in his lot with the Hall gang, Vane's remorse and surrender to Father McCarthy, his release from prison, and the peace which came in his old age, are portrayed with splendid backgrounds of the sunny New South Wales bush.'

Source:

'Spencer's Theatrescope', Argus, 12 March 1910, p.20.