Movie review - "Showgirl's Luck" (1931) **

 Not good. Erratic acting. Dodgy scripting. Fascinating. Musical about putting on a musical only there's hardly any songs. They were too ambitious.

Movie review - "A Co-respondent's Course" (1931) **

 Short film (40 mins) about shenanigans involving people going to Portsea and men thinking their women are cheating. Not funny or even that logical but nice shots of Portsea and photograph over all. From FW Thring.

Movie review - "The Haunted Barn" (1931) **

 Silly, dumb but endearing short feature from FW Thring in the vein of Seven Keys to Baldpate about various people in a haunted barn - eloping lovers, woman with a gun, swagmen, rich dude, mystery body. Not good but it tries. It was banned for kids for a brief moment.

Movie review - "Lovers and Luggers" (1937) **** (re-watching)

 Fun. Saw the 90 minute version. Full of camraderie and good friendship. Lloyd Hughes the weak link but others around him strong. Stunning art design.

Radio serial review - "Wings above the Diamantina" by Arthur Upfield (1939)

 A Boney novel adapted. Some dodgy race stuff but at least he's the hero. The mystery isn't bad. Everyone talks posh but they were like that back then. The version I heard wasn't credited but I think it was from 1939 with Ron Randell.

Movie review - "The Silence of Dean Maitland" (1934) **

 At one stage you couldn't go wrong with a horny man of God hooking up with a woman and this was a big hit for Ken G. Hall at Cinesound. At this stage Hall was still very much in learner director mode but he was fortunate to be protected by some solid IP - the story, though hoary, is very solid. John Longden is ideal in the title role as the tormented reverend. Charlotte Francis is ideally sexy as the woman who tempts him. I liked Jocelyn Howarth too as her daughter - she is relaxed and natural although her role is small.

Location filming helps a lot - the seaside town - and it's fun to see little Bill Kerr as a blind kid. There's some wacky comedy from a George Wallace type. The romantic male lead (not Longden, the guy after Howarth) is wet, as so many 30s Australian film leading men were.

The pacing is a little off - gaps between people talking, uncertain sound. It's not as confident as later Cinesound movies. Also I saw an hour long version so character development was cut right down.

Movie review - "Oh What a Night" (1932) **1/2

 This is a short film, a sketch from George Wallace. A better introduction to his talents than features in many ways because it's shorter. It's also more risque, less loveable as the plot is basically drunk Wallace coming home after a night on the tiles with MarshallCrosby and waking up his wife. It is funny.

Movie review - "Harmony Row" (1933) **

 George Wallace's second feature film is like his first an adaptation of one of his revues. It feels stagey - it proceeds in "acts" there's lots of mid shots, Wallace talks to the audience. 

Wallace is talented as are others but it is more of interested as a piece of filmed theatre. The boxing fight at the end is well done - I wonder if Ken G Hall was more influenced by this that he realied.

I watched this film in instalments - someone put it up on the net - and I don't think I missed anything. You could watch the sequences out of order.

Movie review - "Clara Gibbings" (1934) **

 Adaptation of a not particularly highly regarded play, which made a vehicle for Dorothy Brunton who was a name at the time. She's the owner of a pub who discovers she's related to an earl unleashing much class comedy. I'm sure this meant more in England. It Isn't Done dealt with this material better. Brunton isn't that impressive. Campbell Copelin is a funny old leading man.

But still it's of cultural interest.  And it is comptentently done - up to the standard of British B pictures. It's the sort of subject that presumably Frank Harvey, who was associate director and adapted the script, would've been interested in - I wonder if he used some situations in It Isn't Done.

Oh and there's a zoom - I wonder if that was FW Thring or Harvey.

Movie review - "Diggers in Blighty" (1933) **

 Pat Hanna's second film with Hanna as director and Raymond Longford as "associate director". The first segment is a straight war story, played seriously - it feels directed by Longford. Then in comes Hanna and Joe Vallis and his stage mates. There's a subplot about a German spy (Longford), a romance subplot involving a nurse and an officer, as well as the comic shenanigans.

This is interesting as a cultural artefact more than as a piece of entertainment - the comedy bits feel like stage pieces inserted, which is fine, and the serious stuff feels like serious interludes in a musical.

There is plenty of cultural stuff - Aboriginal soldiers, soldiers being funny, references to the Battle of Hamel, etc.

Movie review - "A Ticket in Tatts" (1934) **

 George Wallace's third film for Efftee is mostly worth seeing as a cultural time capsule, particularly of Wallace's ability. He's very lively, jumping around, destroing a grocery shop, trying to romance a woman, dealing with horses, doing a nightclub act in a moustache. There's a beyond stupid plot where Frank Harvey makes a bet and if a horse wins Thelma Scott has to marry him  - this is played straight! 

It is fun seeing Scott so young. Campbell Copelin is her true love, looking like he's stepped off a stage - as do most people in this film. John Dobbie is on hand. There's song and dances and it's dim and nicely shot.

The footage of the real life Melbourne Cup is interesting.

Movie review - "The Hayseeds" (1933) **

 In the 1910s Beaumont Smith decided to cash in on the stage success of On Our Selection with a bunch of comedies about a yokel family, The Hayseeds. When Ken Hall had a huge hit filming Selection in 1932, Smith decided to cash in again, and blew the dust off his Hayseeds IP.

Canny Smith also hooked up with JC Williamsons, the theatrical management who dominated Australian commercial theatre. They (presumably) financed, or at the least "loaned" a  lot of their actors who were then appearing in a musical Music in the Air in Sydney. Most notable of these was Cecil Kellaway, a hugely talented South African-Australian comic actor who carved out a niche playing befuddled dads. He was given the role of Dad Hayseed.

The film quite shamelessly rips off the Rudds - Kellaway's Dad has a speech about drought and banks plunked in (which hokey but still would've carried weight in 1933), Tal Ordell's eldest son is horny and stupid and woos another stupid yokel, Kellaway has a wife who doesn't say much and there's a hot youngster who who gets romanced (a "Townleigh" though, not a Hayseed). 

The casting isn't quite right - Kellaway is awkward as a hayseed (that speech feels really forced), he's not good as an imitation Bert Bailey; he would be far better as a farmer in It Isn't Done. Tal Ordell seems older than Kellaway. They're better than Arthur Clarke who is the guy the hot daughter romances - he's terribly wet. So too is Shirley Dale, as his love interest.

The play of Selection cross pollinated with stage melodrama (the murder subplot). The Hayseeds feels more cross pollinated with JC Williamsons stage muscials - there's these dancing hikers who come through, and a plot about a girl getting lost in the bush who comes across a mystery man strumming a guitar. It turns out this man is the long lost nephew of a Lord. 

Both plots are resolved quickly and lazily - turns out mystery English man took the blame for theft for his relative who is really guilty; that relative dies off screen and confesses clearing his name. And Dad gets out of financial trouble by winning the lottery. There's also a plot involving one of Hayseeds' sons, I think that isn't resolved? I may have to check.

But still the speeches while manufactured have a basis in truth, the film loves Australia, there's fun with Kellaway and Ordell dressing up as Ned Kelly to help Clarke, the financial pressures on people were real, the songs are charmingly odd, there's a Busby Berkley number at the end which is quite good. There's lots to see.

Smith shot it mostly in studio but gets the cast out on Sydney streets to catch a tram. He also did some filming out at Pymble. He had a lot of get-up-and-go, did Smith.

Proposed Australian films of the 1930s to the 1960s

*Big Timber - from novel by William Hatfield  - announced 1935 - instead Cinesound filmed Tall Timber

*Call me when the Cross Turns Over - from novel by D'arcy Niland to be filmed in 60s with Diane Cilento and Sean Connery but not filmed

*Careful He Might Here You - optioned in 1963 by Josh Logan who wanted to make it with Elizabeth Taylor (who would've been great)

*Collits Inn - Frank Thring was going to film this musical but died

*Come Away Pearler - Colin Simpson novel optioned in 1954 by Joe Kaufman see here

*Come In Spinner - novel optioned in 1954 by Joe Kaufman

*Conn of the South Seas - Cinesound said in 1932 might remake The Adorable Outcast see here

*Desert Legion - Raymond Longford WW1 story

*The Delinquents - from novel adapted by Alan Seymour for producer Joseph Janni  and director Jack Lee - announced 1963

*Dig - story of Burke and Wills from Ralph Peterson script for Anthony Quayle  - announced 1957

*Don Bradman biopic - proposed by Ron Randell in 1952 see here

*Eureka Stockade - Ken Hall version 

*The Fatal Wedding - Cinesound said might remake this in 1933 see here - this may have just been a random announcement though Cinesound did make Silence of Dean Maitland

*Fisher's Ghost - sound remake by Raymond Longford of his 1925 hit - Tony Buckley says towards the end of

*For the Term of His Natural Life - Cinesound said in 1932 might remake it see here

*The Fortunes of Richard Mahoney - adaptaion of novel to be done by MGM in the late 40s with Greer Garson and Gregory Peck

*Ginger Murdoch - optioned by Frank Thring

*Gold Dust and Ashes - from novel by Ion Idriess announced 1935 by Cinesound see here

*The Green Opal - Chips Rafferty film about immigration

*The Haunted House - announced by Cinesound in 1938 see here 

*James Don't Be a Fool - EV Timms novel

*The Kelly Gang - Cinesound said in 1933 might remake it see here

*Les Darcy film - announced by Chauvel in 1947 to star Tommy Burns see here

*Life of Nellie Melba - proposed 1940 Cinesound film with Marjorie Lawrence

*The Long Shadow - 1947 Jon Cleary novel optioned in late 60s but not made 

*Mr Burke and Mr Wills - Burke and Wills story written by Terence Rattigan

*My Love Must Wait - novel about Matthew Flinders optioned by Charles Chauvel

*Naked Under Capricorn - published 1958 owned by Chips Rafferty

*Ned Kelly - directed by Karel Reisz starring Albert Finney announced 1963

*The One Day of the Year - Alan Seymour's play, filmed a few times for TV, optioned in 1970

*Overland Telegraph - 1939 announcement Frank Clune sold to Cinesound, he'd write it up in 1955

* Pearl of Great Price - late 30s Cinesound announced 1936 see here

*Pepper Trees  - Ealing film late 40s with Chips Rafferty and Tommy Trinder - scheduled for 1948 see here

*The Pioneers - Cinesound said in 1932 might remake it see here

*Redheap - novel by Norman Lindsay to be filmed by Thring 

*Return Journey - film about Burke and Wills which collapsed in the 1960s but resulted in a short

* Robbery Under Arms - Ken G Hall version, mentioned from the 1930s until the 1940s but killed off by Rank's interest and dud 1957 film

*Rudd's New Selection - announced in 1933 see here - became Grandad Rudd

*Sara Dane - from the novel, starring Sylvia Syms, proposed late 1950s

*Saturday to Monday - original of The Siege of Pinchgut - announced in 1950

*Sheepmates - started filming but abandoned

*Storm Hill - Eric Porter film announced in 1946

*Wake in Fright - directed by Joe Losey starring Dirk Bogarde - announced 1963 - there was also a proposed Morris West version

*Wards of the Outer March - novel adapted by Charles Chauvel  - announced in 1944

*When Cobb and Co Was King - novel optioned by Charles Chauvel

*Yellow Sands - Cinesound in late 30s - announced 1936 see here

Movie review - "The Broken Melody" (1938) *** (re-watching)

 A bunch of Hollywood tropes thrown in a blender which included FJ Thwaites' original novel - much changed but the bones are still there. It's about a nepo baby, awkwardly if likeably played by Lloyd Hughes, who is kicked out of college for brawling, then disowned by his dad, can't get a job, hooks up with Alec Kellaway and Diane du Cane, is poor, then eventually finds fame as a composer.

The relationship between Hughes and du Cane is contrived but nicely emotional. Rosalind Kennerdale is great fun as a diva though her being tied up at the end isn't that great - and my sympathy is kind of with her, I mean du Cane isn't entitled to a show. Frank Harvey hams it up.

Spectacular opera sequences. Striking opera. Hughes never convinces as someone who lives in Australia but he's fine.

I wonder why Shirley Ann Richards wasnt in this? Maybe the only natural role for her would be the sister which was too small. She could've played du Cane's part...

Movie review - "Mr Chedworth Steps Out" (1938) ***1/2

 Ken G. Hall wanted to fashion a film vehicle for Cecil Kellaway so came up with this (adapted from a novel). Kellaway plays Chedworth, a little man, likeable, with a useless gambling son, a nice daughter who is dating an aged idiot, a comic son, and a chirpy young daughter who can sing (Jean Hatton). Apparently Kellaway played these sort of roles on stage all the time back in the day. He's very good in these sort of parts (only in his forties but he looks older).

His character gets fired (excellent direction from Hall, lingering on Kellaway), he's kept on as a nightwatchman, discovers some money, it's forged, wins money on a bet, wins money in share investments that he's conned into by Sydney Wheeler who's also associated with the forgers, and who is the boss of son Peter Finch, and there's John Warwick as an old looking treasury man who likes Kellaway and romances Kellaway's eldest daughter, and daughter Jean Hatton enters a singing contest.

It's a bit all over the place but a lot of old 30s Hollywood star vehicles were - check out some of MGM's efforts.

I wonder why Shirley Ann Richards didn't play Kellaway's hot daughter. Maybe Hall felt he'd done that in It Isn't Done and didn't want to repeat himself. It's not a very big part - he's not in it very much. I did like how she dated a dodgy older guy, a shonk. But was there no better looking man than John Warwick as the treasury guy?

Rita Pauncefort has a high old time as Kellaway's greedy wife - the sort who was caricatured but when you think about it, suffered because she couldn't work. He tells her off early on but then she doesn't seem to change, spending all his money. 

Hatton is very likeable and engaging. No wonder Hall used her again in Ants in His Pants. Peter Finch is excellent and full marks to Hall for giving him a decent role. He's so skinny - no wonder Hall struggled to see him as a romantic lead. 

Frank Harvey juggles it well enough in his script. You can laugh at the gangsters but it does provide an element of pace. The film has a serious subtext and glimpses of Australia's class system and life.

Movie review - "Orphan of the Wilderness" (1936) ***1/2

 Beautifully made film - one of Ken G Hall's best. Simple story that borrows from Call of the Wild, the story of Chud the kangaroo who really goes through the wringer. Mum killed, finds nice family, tortured by local, threatened with death, escapes to circus, tortured again, chased again. It's full on.

Brian Abbott has a nice speaking voice and odd teeth. he'd be dead soon afte this, drowned. Gwen Munro is winning. I liked their relationship - grown ups. She works for the circus. He's a farmer with a mum. 

Colourful clrcus folk. People like Ron Whelan and Joe Valli.

A really lovely film.

Movie review - "Ants in His Pants" (1939) **1/2

Recut from the original Come Up Smiling - I'm not sure what was added. Maybe another song? I'm guessing the bit at the end when the kid shoves ants in Will Mahoney's pants.

Half a good film. Slick. Mahoney is engaging. Clearly talented.

Script a bit of a mess. It's a bunch of incidents and bits. Mahoney at the circus. Mahoney looks after soprano Jean Hatton (why not make them father and daughter? Why make Sid Wheeler Hatton's dad?) Mhoney raising money to help Hatton's voice. Gets in the boxing ring. There's something about gangsters. Mahoney in blackface with a lamb. Mahoney at a snobby party. Mahoney in love with Shirley Ann Richards who is with John Fleeting. Why? Richards could've been cut out of the movie. And Fleeting.

They should've made Richards into Mahoney's daughter. Or sister. She's helping raise Hatton - give her stakes. She's just in the film. Have her fall in love with Fleeting not be with Fleeting.

Evie Hayes is in it - Mahoney's wife. She helps him train, I think. Sings a number. There's a few numbers.

It's slick. Technically. Not story wise. Frank Harvey didn't write this and you can tell. 

Chips Rafferty is an extra but good luck spotting him.

Play review - "Daybreak" By Catherine Shepherd

 A really solid Aussie play. Good conflict - strict dad, romantic daughter, wild idealist bloke who wants to create a utopia. A lot of exciting action happens off stage - idealist is shot, an escape goes badly. But it works as a whole.

There's subplots that could be ejected - visiting soldiers. The subplot about the servants in love is effective and dove tails.

This should have been filmed by the ABC.

Shirley Ann Richards Top Ten

 1) Dad and Dave Come to Town - her best role, best performance, very funny and lovely

2) It Isn't Done - great debut and a pretty good role even if she was mostly required to bat her eyes at John Longden she displayed an innate intelligence

3) Lovers and Luggers - a "girl" part but she gets points for wearing men's clothes, and it's thus better than Tall Timbers

4) Sorry Wrong Number - not an awesome part but probably her best film apart from Dad and Dave and she's very good

5) Badman's Territory - a girl part, but she gets to ride horses, point a gun and run a newspaper

6) Breakdown - flawed film, lacks focus, but Richards' husband gave her a decent part as a good girl in love with a bad boy

7) Lost Honeymoon - a good role as a protagonist, and she's great - it's just the story is so dumb

8) The Searching Wind - she's better than the play and her two co stars, a very believable "let's let it slide" type

9) Love Letters - flawed film, but Richards is very good as a loyal friend 

10) Dr Gillespie's New Assistant - she has two scenes but is sparky and lovely and should have played Richard Quine's role

Movie review - "Uncivilised" (1936) *** (rewatching)

 Saw it on a nice print. So hokey but there's a story thanks to EV Timms. There's a spirited female lead due to Elsa Chauvel. There's lots of Tarzan riffs (and to be fair the white man growing up among locals was a thing). Margot Rhys is pretty and game and does a racy swim. Though it is funny how her character falls in love because Dennis Hoey won't bang her.

Hoey is hilariously bad. He can sing and is in shape he just has no business playing this role.

Some music is quite catchy the aboriginal dancing impresses as does the location shooting.