AustLit
Adaptation of
On Our Selection
1912
single work
drama
Issue Details:
First known date:
1932...
1932
On Our Selection
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Film Details - Cinesound Productions , 1932
Producers:
Bert Bailey
Production Companies:
Cinesound Productions
Director of Photography:
Walter H. B. Sully
Editors:
George Malcolm
Cast:
Incl. Bert Bailey (Dad Rudd), Fred McDonald (Dave), Alfreda Bevan (Ma Rudd), John McGowan (Maloney), Molly Raynor (Kate), Lillias Adeson (Lil), Len Budrick (Old Carey), Billy Driscoll (Uncle), Richard 'Dick' Fair (Sandy), John Warwick (Jim Carey), Bobbie Beaumont (Sarah), Ossie Wenban (Joe), Fred Kerry (Cranky Jack), Dorothy Dunckley (Mrs White), Fred Browne (Billy Bearup), Arthur Dodds (Parson).
Release Dates:
12 August 1832 (Capitol Theatre, Sydney - premiere).
Location:
- Location scenes were shot on the Nepean River near Castlereagh, New South Wales. The majority of the film, however, was shot in a small sound stage built in the centre of a skating rink at Bondi Junction (Sydney).
Notes:
1. Based on the Bert Bailey/Edmund Duggan play rather than the Steel Rudd stories, Hall's version differed markedly from the early 1920 cinematic adaptation (directed by Raymond Longford).
2. According to Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper (1980), publicity for the film was intensely nationalistic. It drew criticism from some quarters, however, for inviting a 'grotesque image of Australia.' Indeed, the Commonwealth Chief Censor declared that the film could be considered 'prejudicial to the interests and reputation' of the country (p. 209). However, the film became an enormous box-office hit, starting off with a six-week premiere season in Sydney. Costing £6,000 to make, On Our Selection took in over £46,000 in Australia and New Zealand. It was less well received in England, earning only around £2,000.
3. Further reference: Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper. Australian Film 1900-1977, A Guide to Feature Film Production (1980, q.v.), pp. 208-211.
Settings:
- South West Queensland, Queensland,
