AustLit

'The story tells of the love of two brothers for a girl, the younger supplanting his brother in her affections. The younger lad falls in with gamblers, and to recoup himself lends himself to a scheme to nobble his father's race-horse. Later he falls in love with a barmaid, who overhears a plot to rob him. She is caught listening, and held captive, but escapes, and aids the man she loves. In a fight with the robbers, he is wounded, but the care of his barmaid sweetheart restores him. Eventually he marries her, and his brother and former sweetheart are reunited.'

Source:

'Herbert's Pictures', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 8 August 1912, p.6.

'Dick Maxwell, a light-hearted young Sydney man, finding the dissipation of a large city beginning to affect his health, secures a position as bookkeeper on Waroonga Station, near Orange, N.S.W. At a farewell supper with his friends, he imbibes "not wisely, but too well," with the result that he becomes the husband of Tilly Farmfield, a young woman of doubtful character; who, infatuated with Dick, lures him to one of Sydney's marriage shops, where the knot is tied, Dick taking it as a joke, Tilly having made Dick hopelessly drunk. After the ceremony, while alighting from their taxi-cab at the Night Birds' Club, Bob Lambert, a friend of Dick's, arrives on the scene, and during the temporary absence of Tilly rescues Dick from her clutches by carrying him off in a taxi. Next day Dick departs for out-back to take up his new. duties, being still in ignorance of the previous night's happenings. On arrival at his destination, Dick becomes greatly enamoured of Clarice Inglehurst, his employer's daughter, who reciprocates his affection, much to the chagrin of Martin Tracey, the manager, who has marked Clarice for his own. While out riding some days after, Dick comes across Geebung, an aboriginal (who has been bitten by a snake), lying by the road side. Dick ties a ligature round Geebung's leg, and sends him home on his horse. Geebung arrives at the homestead immediately after Clarice's rejection of Tracey, who vents his wrath on Geebung by whipping him. Dick arrives and rescues Geebung. Tracey is about to rush on Dick when Clarice interferes, asking for an explanation. Dick and Tracey remaining silent, Geebung volunteers the information. Tracey swears to ruin Dick, and watches for an opportunity, which soon comes. Some sheep being despatched to Flemington Saleyards, Dick enters the consignment in the railway book, which Tracey finds a way to alter, faking the entry to make it appear that Dick has stolen 200 sheep. He is seen by Geebung, whom he shoots, on the principle that "dead men tell no tales." Eventually Tracey arrives at the homestead, and informs Mrs. Inglehurst of Dick's dishonesty, Tracey producing apparent proof of Dick's guilt, who is arrested, but Geebung, who has been found by Clarice, arrives in time to free the innocent and convict the guilty. On the way to the police station, Tracey escapes and goes to Sydney, where he meets Tilly, who is an old friend. She and Tracey resolve to ruin Dick and Clarice on their wedding day. With that purpose in view, they leave Sydney for Orange. On the way an accident occurs, Tilly being seriously injured. Tracey escapes, and continues his journey, with Tilly's marriage certificate. Tilly, dying, repents of her evil doings, and writes a confession, which she persuades a nurse to take to Dick. The nurse arrives at the church in time to set everything right. Geebung recognises Tracey through his disguise, and he is rearrested. Tilly having died a minute before the commencement of the ceremony, Dick and Clarice are legally man and wife.'

Source:

Advertisement, Williamstown Chronicle, 10 February 1912, p.3.

'The story opens on Christmas Day at Farmer Morrison's home. William, the son, has been secretly married to Annie, the maid. Old Morrison wishes his son to marry Dora, being unaware of his secret marriage. On his son's confession he turns both he and his wife from his door. Time passes. William becomes the owner of a nice little farm, and his wife presents him with a son. On returning one night from his work, tired and hungry, he has a dispute with his wife, who threatens to leave, and leaves the room. Troubled and worn out he falls asleep and dreams a dream in which he fancies his wife has left him for another man. A mail robbery occurs in the district, and William and three stockmen are falsely accused. After his trial he returns to find his stock and home ruined. Seeking the bush he becomes an outlaw. He is sentenced to death, and as he is placed on the scaffold, the scene changes to where he wakes to find his wife at his side. He becomes reconciled to his father through the man who proved the enemy of his dream.'

Source:

'Love the Tyrant', Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail, 2 November 1912, p.5.

'The source of the trouble which makes the drama is the principal man's love of liquor, and the foolish act of a friend who, after he has been two years on the strict Q.T., asks him to come and have a drink. This breaks up the home. Such friends have much to answer for.'

Source:

'Gordon's Pictures', South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, 26 January 1912, p.11.

'It depicts in realistic fashion a scene in which the blacks steal a child. Fifteen years elapse before the father of the girl discovers her, and in the first instance he does not know who the attractive young woman is. Some stirring incidents are introduced before the final explanations are made, and notwithstanding the pathetic touches all ends happily for the girl and her father.'

Source:

'Central Picture Theatre', The Advertiser, 5 December 1912, p.13.

'The incidents of the story are connected with the adventures of a young Englishman, who is accused of a crime of which he's innocent, and through which he has to leave home and all associations. On the way to Australia he rescues the daughter of a wealthy squatter, who falls overboard in mid-ocean, and is rewarded by a position on the squatter's station. Through the jealousy of the manager, he meets with many adventures, which are realistically portrayed. A prominent feature of the production is a bush fire and an exciting ride for life.'

Source:

'Amusements', The Register, 12 June 1912, p.5.

'The picture is a detective drama showing how a murder mystery was solved through fingerprints.'

Source:

'Lyric Pictures', Barrier Miner, 14 October 1912, p.5.

'This is a sensational detective story of forgery, attempted robbery, and murder, detection being worked out with the aid of finger and hand prints Among other thrilling incidents is the rescue of a young lady by the fire brigade from a building set ablaze by one of the miscreants. Several scenes is this long animated picture were loudly applauded, including the smart turn-out of the motor fire brigade.'

Source:

'Amusements', Mercury, 28 September 1912, p.6.

A lost film, The Crime and the Criminal is obscure enough that even contemporary newspapers have little information on the events of the film. However, a notice in the Sunday Times (18 February 1912, p.2) notes that 'the new picture story has as its working pivot, the hatred of a successful brother by a cowardly criminal'.

A young miner is determined to avenge his brother's murder, while also pursuing the daughter of the mine manager.

'The star attraction was the reproduction of an Australian photo play, "The King of Coiners," which depicted the double life led by Luke Holt in his capacity as a sergeant of police and the head of a notorious gang of coiners. In the latter role he was known as Jean Leroy, and attempted to get Ned Truman, a young engraver, to work for him. The latter refused, and then Leroy employed Biddy Higgins, a disreputable character, to secrete counterfeit coins in Truman's room. Then was seen Truman's arrest, followed by hardship suffered by his wife, and generally things were desperate till Ben Burleigh, a detective, took a hand in the game, and discovering Holt's interest in the coining business, he proceeded to arrest the police sergeant. The scene closed with a flight in a motor car and a crash over a precipice, which ended the earthly career of the coiner.'

Source:

'Amusements' , Advertiser [Adelaide], 20 February 1912, p.9.

Contemporary reviews indicate that the film was 'A Stirring Australian Mining Drama, showing Rivals in Love, Planning the Robbery, the Quarrel, Trooper Hayes to the Rescue, the Murder and Robbery, the Escape, on the Murderer's Track, a Cowardly Blow, the Confession, etc.'

Source:

Advertisement, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 25 October 1911, p.12.

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).

'Sam Flood, a gambler in a little Western mining town, was in love with May, the pretty daughter of Harper, who ran the local pub, but that love was not returned, May having bestowed her affections on a handsome young miner named Dick Taylor. Flood induces Dick to have a game of poker, and while the game is proceeding, Dick sees Flood slipping four cards up his sleeve. Dick immediately rises and calls Flood a cheat; the latter draws a revolver and covers Dick. The onlookers stand spellbound. While the tension is at its highest there is a sudden movement and Dick has Flood by the wrist. In the struggle the revolver goes off, but nobody is hurt, and at last Dick secures the weapon, calmly takes the cartridges out, and returns it to Flood. Dick challenges Flood to fight him in true Australian fashion, and they adjourn outside the pub to see who is the better man. After a hard fight Dick, with a left to the body and a right to the jaw, puts Flood to sleep. The miners are so overjoyed that they hoist Dick shoulder high and carry him back to the pub. Bad as Flood is, there is a woman who still loves him, though ho treats her badly — her name is Tess Jones. After the fight when every one has left him, Tess comes to him with soothing words, her goodness being repayed with blows. A few days later Flood follows May into the bush and attempts to kiss her, but, fortunately, Dick has followed, and Flood is forced to beat a hasty retreat.

'Flood and three accomplices arrange to stick up the gold escort, and their plan is overheard by May and her little brother Jack. The men see May and seize her, but Jack has hidden behind a tree and has not been seen. They take May with them, and after they are gone, Jaok comes from his hiding place and runs home, where he tells his parents and the miners what has happened. The miners, led by Dick, start out in pursuit. May is tied to a tree and left there while Flood and his party leave for the place arranged for the attack on the escort, A tree is felled across the track, and the men await the arrival of the escort. A mounted trooper appears and rides up to the tree and dismounts. Directly he does so, Flood hits him over the head, stunning him, then drags him into the bush. They are just in time, for the coach comes swinging round a bend, the driver pulling up as he gets to the fallen tree. Flood and his companions open fire, two troopers fall, and the others surrender. The robbers overturn the coach and drive the horses into the bush. While getting out the gold boxes and mail bags, Dick and the miners ride up, firing a volley as they do so, and the men, with the exception of Flood, are captured. Flood, slipping away in the excitement, gets back to where his horse was left and makes his escape, although the miners were hot on his track.

'A week later Dick and May are to be married. In the meantime Flood, who has evaded capture, returns to the township to have revenge on Dick, although Tess tries to dissuade him. The wedding day arrives, and by Dick's wish they are to be married in the bush. The minister has just made them one, when Flood rushes on, revolver in hand. Just as he fires, Tess steps forward and receives the bullet meant for Dick. The miners seize Flood and nearly tear him to pieces before handing him over to the police. Dick and May are very happy, but they will never forgot how nearly they were being separated the day of "The Bush Wedding."'

Source:

'The Miner's Curse', Jerilderie Herald and Urana Advertiser, 23 February 1912, p.5 (via Trove Australia).

'The Cup Winner deals with the unhappiness caused to a young couple through the demands of a blackmailing scoundrel who, knowing the wife's brother is in gaol on a serious charge, demands money as the price of his silence. Their frequent meetings arouse the jealousy of the husband, who secures a divorce on a charge of which his wife is entirely innocent, having previously, in a burst of passion, given his child to a passing organ grinder who disposes of it by placing the boy in the loose box of a training stable. Many years elapse. The boy having been adopted by the trainer becomes a successful jockey. His father, an owner of horses, has several in the trainer's care, among which is the favorite for the Melbourne Cup. The boy, who has been named Crossie, frustrates an attempt to nobble the favorite, on which he has the mount for the great race. Through the accidental visit of the organ grinder Crossie's identity becomes known, and he is restored to his father, who finds out his wife's innocence.'

Source:*

'Empire Theatre', Daily herald, 13 November 1911, p.8.

A railway melodrama, a genre far more popular in American cinema than in Australian cinema.

Apart from the fact that the film contained 'a murderous fight on footboard of train' (see advertisement below), little is known of its plot or its cast and crew.

'lt tells of the adventures of a jackeroo–of a false accusation brought against him, of his experiences in a bushfire and a timely rescue, a cowardly assault, his capture by blacks [sic], and a narrow escape frown watery grave.'

Source:

'Earl's Court', Morning Bulletin, 5 June 1912, p.8.

Contemporary newspapers indicated that the film went through the following scenes:

• The message of the spear.
• Look for the attack on the Hut.
• Harry teaches the Overseer a lesson.
• A horrible revenge: the Overseer arranges with the Aboriginals to kill Harry.
• To save her sweetheart.
• Arrival of the Police.
• Lovers re-united.

Source:

'West's Pictures', Gippsland Times, 21 December 1911, p.3 (via Trove Australia)

Arguable Australia's first war film, set during the Second Boer War (although including events from the First Boer War).

According the contemporary reviews:

The star film, entitled 'Mates of the Murrumbidgee,' depicts the life of two boys and a girl. The sequel to a capital love affair is that the girl poisons herself, and one of the boys shoots his old-time mate for having robbed him of his promised wife.

Source:

'Broadway Theatre', Evening News, 28 August 1911, p.4.

'The story hinges on the wonderful resemblance between Lieut. Alfred Coventry, who is married to Edith daughter of Mr. Norton, a wealthy merchant, and Jack Baxter, a common thief. Mr Norton has a nephew, Herbert Standish, who is in love with Mrs. Coventry, but she treats him with contempt. Standish some years earlier had betrayed Nance, the daughter of the old gardener, Meredith, leaving her to starve. Ashamed to go home, she married Baxter, who led her a terrible life. Mr. Norton never cared for Coventry, and when he heard of his return, after an absence of two years, he vowed that his roof would never shelter him, and tells his daughter to leave with her pauper husband. Obadiah Shakespeare, another thief, recognises Standish as the head of a gang of thieves, and while trying to extort money from him notices Baxter in the distance. Standish is struck by the great resemblance between Baxter and Coventry, and decides on a plan to get Coventry out of the way so that he may have a clear field to bring Mrs. Coventry to his way of thinking. He gets Baxter to dress in a uniform like Coventry's and break into Mr. Norton's mansion at Potts Point. In the carrying out of the plan Mr. Norton is shot dead by Baxter. Coventry's little boy, Cedric, runs in, and thinking he sees his father, gives evidence subsequently which sends Lieut. Coventry, to penal servitude for life. He escapes, and makes his way to an old saw-mill to hide. Standish forges a letter purporting to come from Coventry to Edith, and the latter, is lured to the mill, taking Cedric with her. Here she meets and repulses the foul proposals of Standish, who decides on a terrible revenge. He ties Edith to a post, knocks Cedric insensible and puts him on the traveller, starting the saw working. The remainder of the story must be described by the pictures. It is a terrible scene, as is also one in Edith's room into which Standish breaks, and where little Cedric, with a revolver protects his mother's honouri [sic] and the ending is in keeping with the line of the whole drama, pointing the moral, which adorns this very sensational tale'.

Source:

'What Women Suffer: A Picture Storyette', Cairns Post, 17 May 1912, p.8.

Described in contemporary advertising as 'romantic and sensational', The Lady Outlaw followed a woman who pursued her convict lover to Tasmania, where she heard rumours of his escape and death in the mountains. Seeking revenge, she set herself up as a bushranger, accompanied by a posse of escaped convicts–only to find that her lover was still alive and married to another woman.

According to contemporary advertisements,

Some of the scenes: "Arrested for Forgery," '"Transported for Life," "A Woman's Devotion," "Lieutenant Dashwood Escapes," "Struggle on the Cliffs," "Dashed to Death," "A Bid for Freedom," "A Free Pardon.," etc.

Source:

'Citizens' Concerts', Geelong Advertiser, 1 February 1912, p.4 (via Trove Australia).