Cirrus@Austlit

'It is a story of the days of the bushrangers, and there are many exciting scenes of encounters between the cattlemen and the cattle thieves. There is also a terrifying scene of a forest fire, and some of the incidents take place on the goldfields. Great interest centres in Ned Kelly's last great stand against the law, which finally proved itself too strong for him. A charming romance runs through the whole production.'

Source:

'Trooper O'Brien', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 29 October 1928, p.6.

Bess Shelgrove is framed for theft after refusing the advances of bank clerk Adam Wilson. Transported to Australia, she meets and marries Jack Warren, but their marriage is not without difficulties until Warren forces Wilson to confess to his theft.

'The first scene shows Captain Fryatt being presented with a gold watch, after he had rammed the German submarine. Von Whellen, the German spy, is then introduced to Capt. Fryatt by the captain's son. Mrs. Fryatt tells her husband of her dislike and fear of Von Whellen, but he takes no notice of her until Von Whellen tells him that he will "ram a submarine once too often." The sailing of the Bristol (of which Fryatt is captain) and her capture, the landing of the passengers and the imprisonment of Captain Fryatt in a cell with an old Frenchman, who tells him a story of the way in which his son and sweetheart gave themselves up for France, are events which follow in quick succession. Captain Fryatt is next seen in front of the firing-squad, where he strikes his last blow for England, and then dies bravely.'

Source:

'The Murder of Capt. Fryatt', Sunday Times, 18 February 1917, p.11.

'A wife with a torturing toothache and an apparently faithless husband supply the motive for the Australian comedy, "An Interrupted Divorce".'

Source:

[Untitled], Critic, 24 August 1917, p.6.

'This biographical representation is meant as a tribute to the memory of that glorious martyr, Nurse Cavell, who so willingly gave her life for her country and humanity's sake. It deals with historical facts, and shows the cruelty and inhumanity of the German in a most striking and vivid manner. It should bring excellent results as a recruiting film.'

Source: 'New Australian Photoplay', Sunday Times, 23 January 1916, p.16.

Filmed during the 1916 Sydney Royal Easter Show (18-26 April) by John Gavin for the Famous Films Company, Charlie at the Sydney Show features emerging vaudeville comedian Ern Vockler as Charlie Chaplin.

The film’s scenario, conceived by Agnes Gavin, involves a 'supposed' visit to the show by Chaplin. He subsequently becomes entangled in various escapades. Ern Vockler provided additional material based on his own stage performances.

The film was first exhibited at Waddington’s Glaciarium, Sydney, on 15 May, only a matter of weeks after shooting ended.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

Convict melodrama.

The chapters included:

Love's Young Dream.

An Insult. The Traitor.

The Secret Marriage. Arrest of Dennis Blake.

Transported for Life.

Botany Bay Settlement.

On the Triangle. The Recognition.

The Mark of the Lash.

The Confession. Kind-Hearted Warder.

A Sensational Escape.

A Cold Bath. The Police Baffled.

Black Sal's Strategy.

Rescue of the Governor's Daughter.

Acquitted.

A Good Friend. The Dismissal of Captain Morley.

(See advertisement below).

A lost film, obscure enough that no contemporary reviews have so far been traced.

When a man is framed for a crime by a jealous rival and transported to Van Dieman's Land, his wife follows–but the rival is also there, and in a position of authority over the convicts in the settlement.

'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.

Very likely based on Ambrose Pratt's drama, Thunderbolt; Or, Three Days with Thunderbolt, the story is a semi-fictional account of the life of Frederick Ward (aka Thunderbolt). The story sees Ward, a cattle drover and horsebreaker from Windsor, NSW, trying to earn enough money to pay for his forthcoming wedding. His life changes, however, when he is accused of cattle theft and sentenced to seven years at Cockatoo Island. When he eventually escapes, he learns that his fiancée has died of grief. He sets out to get his revenge on society by taking up a life of crime as a bushranger.

The film's narrative includes scenes such as Thunderbolt being rescued from a police trap by a girl of mixed Aboriginal and European heritage, his raid on a country hotel, and his eventual death during a gallant struggle with the police.

A film version of the life of Captain Moonlite, from his initial arrest to his capture by police. The film is said to be based on a play by the same name written by W.J. Lincoln.

According to a contemporary review:

'The robbing of the Egerton Bank, the fight with the Victorian police at M'Creedy's farm, the sticking up of the gold escort, the struggle at Wantabadgery Station, and the capture of Moonlite, are all vividly represented, and the numerous little glimpses of Australian scenery enhance the pleasure of the picture.'

Source:

'Moonlite in Picture', Evening News, 31 December 1910, p.7.