''The Sealed Room'' is a 1926 Australian

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

directed by and starring

Arthur Shirley Arthur Shirley (31 August 1886 – 24 November 1967) was an Australian actor, writer, producer, and director of theatre and film. He experienced some success as a film actor in Hollywood between 1914 and 1920. Biography Early life Born Hen ...

. It is considered a

lost film A lost film is a feature or short film that no longer exists in any studio archive, private collection, public archive or the U.S. Library of Congress. Conditions During most of the 20th century, U.S. copyright law required at least one copy o ...

Synopsis

Paul Craig (

) is an aviator-inventor who becomes blind due to overwork. He stumbles into a room as a person is being killed by foreign agents – who decide to let Craig live because he cannot identify them. The murder is part of a plot to overthrow the monarchy of fictional Ruvania. Paul regains his sight and marries Angela (Grace Glover), whose brother was killed by the gang, and who is the ward of Carlo Gelmini (George Bryant), head of the gang. Angela lost her memory with the shock of her brother's death but manages to recover it and help Paul save Ruvania.

Cast

as Paul Craig *Grace Glover as Angela Scardon *George Bryant as Carlo Gelmini *Nellie Ferguson as Della Giovanna *Cora Warner *Leslie Woods *Cecil Scott *Carlton Stuart *Eric Harrison *Muriel Veck *John Bruce *Harry Halley *Walter Bentley

Production

Filming began in May 1925 at Australasian Films' studio in Rushcutters Bay and on location in the Blue Mountains. One scene included a recreation of

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

's ''Julius Caesar''. Shirley was assisted in production by Scott Alexander.

Release

Critical

Viewing a preview, a writer for trade paper ''Everyone's'' called the film a "drama of an exceptionally unique character" in which "the plot is full of intrigue and mystery, with Arthur Shirley giving a very fine characterisation.... one congratulates Pyramid Productions in their determination to make bigger and better pictures." A critic for the same paper said "the element of mystery is well sustained to the finish, which brings retribution to the villain in a manner most unexpected" with "a most exciting and daring finish." ''The Bulletin'' critic said the film "contains crude excitement enough; but why republican plotters against the throne of Ruvania... should choose Australia as a plotting-ground is inexplicable" and felt Shirley's acting was "woodenly:" although "George Bryant is better; and the feminine parts are well portrayed by Nellie Ferguson and Grace Savieri."

Box office

The film was not a success at the box office although the opening night drew strong crowds. Shirley was unable to make his planned version of

J. H. M. Abbott John Henry Macartney Abbott (1874 – 1953) was an Australian novelist and poet who was born in Haydonton, Murrurundi, New South Wales in 1874. Early life He was the eldest son of son of (Sir) Joseph Palmer Abbott and his first wife Matilda ...

's novel ''Castle Vane'' called ''1840''. He left Australia and went to England and Rhodesia to launch a new production company.Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, ''Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production'', Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, 133.

Lawsuits

After the release of the film, Shirley went to London taking prints of ''Sealed Room'' and ''Mystery of the Hansom Cab''. On arrival he was unable to pay the required duty. The films were impounded. Shirley attempted to get this overruled but was unsuccessful. He was imporisoned for making a scene in the Strangers' Gallery then released after paying a fine of £lO. Shirley was sued by Hugh Wilson for distribution of this film and ''The Mystery of Hansom Cab''.

References

External links

*
Complete script
at

National Archives of Australia The National Archives of Australia (NAA), formerly known as the Commonwealth Archives Office and Australian Archives, is an Australian Government agency that serves as the national archives of the nation. It collects, preserves and encourages ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sealed Room (1926 film), The 1926 films Australian silent feature films Australian black-and-white films Lost Australian drama films 1926 drama films 1926 lost films Films directed by Arthur Shirley Silent Australian drama films 1920s English-language films 1920s Australian films