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Amalgamated Pictures Ltd
Amalgamated Pictures was a film exchange company in Australia. For a time it was also a short-lived Australian film production company. Although none of its output has survived, it has been written that "judging by subjects chosen, the average length (4,000 feet) and the scale of Amalgamated's productions, the company was second only to Spencer's Pictures in its resolve to build a quality reputation for Australian features" in the Australian film boom of 1911–12.Graham Shirley and Brian Adams, ''Australian Cinema: The First Eighty Years'', Currency Press 1989 p 41 History of the production company The Amalgamated Picture Company Ltd was formed on 4 March 1911 by the brothers John and Nevin Tait, and Millard Johnson and William Gibson, with capital of £100,000. This team had previously collaborated on ''The Story of the Kelly Gang'' and ''Robbery Under Arms''. Contemporary newspaper reports announcing the launch said the company had: The purpose of promoting the finest and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Charles Cozens Spencer
Charles Cozens Spencer (12 February 1874 – c. September 1930) was a British-born film exhibitor and producer, who was a significant figure in the early years of the Australian film industry. He produced films under the name Spencer's Pictures and was an early backer of the films of Raymond Longford. He was also instrumental in the creation of " The Combine". Biography Spencer was born in Hunston, Sussex, the third son of Cornelius Cosens, farmer, and his wife Ellen. In 1892 he emigrated to British Columbia, Canada, with his brother Arthur in order to look for gold. He did a variety of jobs then in 1894 formed a company of providers with his brother Sidney at Fairview and Camp McKinney. In 1898 he was a clerk at Vernon. He began screening motions pictures and met and married Mart Stuart Huntly who became his chief projectionist and business partner. Australia Spencer first arrived in Australia in 1905. He opened the Great American Theatrescope at the Lyceum Theatre in Sydney, w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
National Film And Sound Archive
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), known as ScreenSound Australia from 1999 to 2004, is Australia's audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, maintaining, promoting and providing access to a national collection of film, television, sound, radio, video games, new media, and related documents and artefacts. The collection ranges from works created in the late nineteenth century when the recorded sound and film industries were in their infancy, to those made in the present day. The NFSA collection first started as the National Historical Film and Speaking Record Library (within the then Commonwealth National Library) in 1935, becoming an independent cultural organisation in 1984. On 3 October, Prime Minister Bob Hawke officially opened the NFSA's headquarters in Canberra. History of the organisation The work of the Archive can be officially dated to the establishment of the National Historical Film and Speaking Record Library (part of t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1910s In Australian Cinema
Year 191 ( CXCI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Apronianus and Bradua (or, less frequently, year 944 '' Ab urbe condita''). The denomination 191 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years. Events By place Parthia * King Vologases IV of Parthia dies after a 44-year reign, and is succeeded by his son Vologases V. China * A coalition of Chinese warlords from the east of Hangu Pass launches a punitive campaign against the warlord Dong Zhuo, who seized control of the central government in 189, and held the figurehead Emperor Xian hostage. After suffering some defeats against the coalition forces, Dong Zhuo forcefully relocates the imperial capital from Luoyang to Chang'an. Before leaving, Dong Zhuo orders his troops to loot the tombs of the H ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
His Only Chance
''His Only Chance'' is a 1918 Australian silent film directed by Dick Shortland. It is a high society melodrama. As with '' Cupid Camouflaged'', the film was made to aid fund raising for the Red Cross The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide. It was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and ....Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, ''Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production'', Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1980, p104 It is considered a lost film. Plot A German spy tries to wreck the life of the playboy son of a wealthy family. Believing his only chance to redeem himself is on the battlefield, the young man enlists in the army. According to contemporary advertisements, scenes included: The Great Ball, the interior of the theatre, the theatregoers' arrival, the gorgeous ballet, the thrilling race between a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rip Van Winkle (1912 Film)
''Rip Van Winkle'' is a 1912 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln about Rip Van Winkle. It was arguably Australia's first fantasy film. It is considered a lost film. Plot Cast *Arthur Styan as Rip Van Winkle Production The film was made in the wake of a successful Australian season of Joseph Jefferson and Dion Boucicault's theatre adaptation of Washington Irving's 1819 short story "Rip Van Winkle". One reviewer said that star Arthur Styan "has figured in several of the previous productions of the Amalgamated Pictures Ltd., and who makes quite a success of this." Assisting Lincoln was Sam Crews. Reception The film appears not to have been widely released. The ''Bendigo Advertiser'' said that "the famous story is most effectively explained in the picture production." In April 1912 ''The Bulletin'' said "Rip Van Winkle is biographed in Melbourne excellently, by an Australian company, with Styan as Winkle." References External links * ''Rip Van Winkle' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Breaking The News
''Breaking the News'' is a 1912 Australian melodrama film directed by W. J. Lincoln based on John Longstaff's 1887 painting of the same name. It is considered a lost film. Plot A prospector looks for a wife to live with him and eventually gets married. While he is in town, the mine floods and miners need to be rescued. The main scenes were: *mining machinations; *a woman's sacrifice; *a man's desperation and love; *a father's sad mistake *man's sure revenge. Cast *Harrie Ireland *Arthur Styan Production The film was shot at Diamond Creek, near Melbourne. Reception The movie was a popular success with critics drawing particular attention to a scene of an underground mine being flooded. In March 1912 ''The Bulletin'' wrote "cheers for the big black and white item, “Breaking the News.” The yarn is excellently acted and photographed, but the plot is not too conspicuous for common-sense." References External links''Breaking ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Double Event (1911 Film)
''The Double Event'' is a 1911 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln based on the first novel by Nat Gould, which had been adapted several times for the stage, notably by Bland Holt. It was one of several films Lincoln made with the Tait family, who had produced ''The Story of the Kelly Gang''. It is considered a lost film. Plot Jack Drayton discovers his brother is an attempted murderer but won't expose him out of fear of ruining the family name. He leaves England in secrecy and starts a new life in Australia under the name of Jack Marston. He falls in love with Edith the daughter of a Sydney bookmaker, John Kingdon. He enters his horse, Caloola, in the Melbourne Cup and it wins, despite the attempts of evil Fletcher. Fletcher later shoots a lady he is trying to blackmail and is chased across town but is eventually cornered in Chinatown and falls to his death. Jack marries Edith and returns to England. Cast *The Bland Holt Company *Martyn Hagen Production ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Bells (1911 Film)
''The Bells'' is a 1911 Australian feature-length silent film directed by W. J. Lincoln. It is based on the famous stage melodrama by Erckmann-Chatrian, adapted by Leopold Lewis, which in turn had been adapted for the Australian stage by W. J. Lincoln before he made it into a film. It is today considered a lost film. It was one of several films Lincoln made with the Tait family, who had produced ''The Story of the Kelly Gang''. According to Lincoln's obituary in ''The Bulletin'' it was one of Lincoln's best films. Plot Mathias (Arthur Styan) is an innkeeper in a village in Alsace, happily married to Catherine (Miss Grist) and with a daughter Annette (Nellie Bramley). However he is greatly in debt, so on Christmas Day 1833, he murders a Polish Jew (Mr Cullenane) who visits the inn for his gold. He uses this to pay off his debts and rise in society, becoming the burgomaster of the town – however he is always tormented by guilt. Fifteen years later on Christmas Day, Mathias b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Lost Chord (1911 Film)
''The Lost Chord'' is a 1911 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln based on the famous song ''The Lost Chord'' by Sir Arthur Sullivan. It was one of several films Lincoln made with the Tait family, who had produced ''The Story of the Kelly Gang''. Screenings were often accompanied by a singer who would perform the song. The film has been regarded as one of the earlier example of film-sound synchronisation. It is now considered a lost film. References External links * ''The Lost Chord''at AustLit AustLit: The Australian Literature Resource (also known as AustLit: Australian Literature Gateway; and AustLit: The Resource for Australian Literature), usually referred to simply as AustLit, is an internet-based, non-profit collaboration betwee ... Australian black-and-white films Australian silent feature films 1911 films Films based on songs Lost Australian films 1911 lost films Films directed by W. J. Lincoln {{Australia-silent-film-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Called Back (1911 Film)
''Called Back'' is a 1911 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln based on a popular play which was adapted from an 1883 novel by Hugh Conway. Although the movie was a popular success it is now considered a lost film. It was one of several films Lincoln made with the Tait family, who had produced ''The Story of the Kelly Gang''. Plot In Italy, Dr Ceneri gives money to support Garibaldi, including money meant for his orphaned niece and nephew, Pauline and Anthony. When they grow up, they learn of what he did with the money, and Anthony is killed by the villainous Macari. This is seen by Pauline who goes insane, and the blind Gilbert Vaughan. Vaughan regains his sight, Pauline regains her sanity, and they are married while Macari is arrested. Cast * William Quinn *Arthur Stein Production The play had been popular in Australia as a vehicle for George Rignold. The film was shot at the studio of Amalgamated Pictures in St Kilda, Melbourne. There was location film ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Luck Of Roaring Camp (1911 Film)
''The Luck of Roaring Camp'' is a 1911 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln now considered a lost film. It was highly regarded in its day, in part because it was based on a play that was popular with audiences. It was one of several films Lincoln made with the Tait family, who had produced ''The Story of the Kelly Gang''. Plot The setting is California during the California Gold Rush. On the California goldfields, Will Gordin is falsely accused of murder and is about to be lynched when his girlfriend rides to the rescue. Scenes included: *Tom Barnes at Bay. *Fun in a Roaring Camp Saloon. *The Murder of Old Pard. *A Duel to the Death. *The Throw of the Dice. Cast *Ethel Buckley *Robert Inman * John Cosgrove Production It was based on a stage adaptation of the story by Francis Bret Harte which had proved popular with Australian audiences as performed by George Marlow's Dramatic Company since 1910. In February 1911 the ''Bulletin'' reviewed a George Marlow ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Mystery Of A Hansom Cab (1911 Film)
''The Mystery of the Hansom Cab'' is an Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln based on the popular novel, which had also been adapted into a play. It was one of several films Lincoln made with the Tait family, who had produced ''The Story of the Kelly Gang''. It was the first Australian feature film to have a predominantly urban setting.Graham Shirley and Brian Adams, ''Australian Cinema: The First Eighty Years'', Currency Press 1989 p 41 It has been called the world's first suspense mystery film. Plot A Melbourne playboy, Oliver White, is murdered as he is driven home one night in a hansom cab. Investigating the crime encompasses all aspects of Melbourne society. The scenes featured in the movie were: GUNSLER'S CAFE, COLLINS STREET #The meeting of Mark Frettleby and Rosanna Moore. #Reems Street, East Melbourne. The Courtship. #Frettleby's Station. Divided Lives. (Rosanna grows bored with station life and eventually leaves with their baby daughter.) #Frettleb ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
