The Luck of Roaring Camp (1911 film)
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| The Luck of Roaring Camp | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | W. J. Lincoln |
| Written by | W. J. Lincoln[1] |
| Based on | stage adaptation by Mark Blow and Ida Molesworth of the novel The Luck of Roaring Camp by Francis Bret Harte[2] |
| Produced by | William Gibson Millard Johnson John Tait Nevin Tait |
| Starring | Ethel Buckley Robert Inman George Marlow's Dramatic Company |
| Cinematography | Orrie Perry |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Tait's Pictures[3] |
Release dates | 8 April 1911 (Sydney)[4][5][6] |
Running time | 4,000 feet[9][10] |
| Country | Australia |
| Languages | Silent film English intertitles |
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.[11]
It was one of several films Lincoln made with the Tait family, who had produced The Story of the Kelly Gang.[12][13]
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:
Cast
- Ethel Buckley as Nell Curtis[16]
- Robert Inman
- John Cosgrove
- Harry Driver
- Nellis Fergusson as Jovita[17]
- Frank Reis as Gonzales[18]
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.[19] This production moved to the Princess Theatre in Melbourne started 4 February 1911.[20][21] The Bulletin reviewed this saying:
When The Luck of Roaring Camp was staged in Sydney by George Marlow, Ltd., a year ago. The Bulletin remarked that the bellow drama had taken the name of Bret Harte’s novel in vain. Probably the audience at Melbourne Princess’s last Saturday didn’t seek for Bret Harte’s story in the drama that wore its title, but was merely looking for a mining camp and listening for roars. In which case the audience’s expectations were fulfilled. The mine, located in America, provides Diver with lurid opportunities in the way of murder and false accusation; but he is ultimately brought to grief by a hero who wins the girl and secures the property, and, in fact, gets the Luck. Many things, including some stirring episodes of comic relief, happen before the ends of poetic justice are served. If the people who goto the Princess’s are fond of this sort of melodrama, this is the sort of melodrama which should suit them down to the ground and up to the roof.[22]
The Age said it "was not badly constructed."[23] On 1 February 1911 it was announced the partnership of Millard Johnson and Willard Gibson had made a film version that went for 4,000 feet.[10] According to Table Talk "Over 130 people are taking part, and horses and stage coaches are conspicuous in the picture. It has taken 11 days to complete the film."[24] The George Marlow company provided the cast for the film, with the lead played by Marlow's wife Ethel Buckley. A cast of over a hundred was reportedly used.[25][26] According to the Sydney Morning Herald "The picture is said to convey a more adequate idea of the place than the staged drama."[27]