Running time 4,000 feet Initial release 1923 Budget 1,500 GBP | Starring Ernest Idiens Country Australia | |
Productioncompany Commonwealth Immigration OfficeBritish Empire Exhibition Commission Release date 24 November 1923 (Sydney)1924 (England) Similar The Bushwhackers, The Midnight Wedding, The Fatal Wedding | ||
Australia Calls is a 1923 Australian silent film directed by Raymond Longford commissioned by the Australian government to be shown at the British Empire Exhibition in Wembley Park, London, in 1924.
Contents
It was a semi-documentary about the adventures of Ernest Idiens, a labourer from Longnor Staffordshire who moved to New South Wales with his brother in 1912 with only ₤30 between them and by 1923 had assets worth ₤14,000. In 1923 Idiens toured England talking about his success.
The movie is not to be confused with Longford's 1913 picture Australia Calls and is considered a lost film.
Production
The Australian government originally commissioned Longford to make four films depicting Australian society, each running 4,000 feet and costing £1,500. However bad weather caused a delay in shooting and Longford only made two, this and An Australian By Marriage. The other two movies were shot by the official government cinematographer, Bert Ive.
Shooting began in March 1923 in the country town of Harden, New South Wales and the film was completed by June, six weeks behind schedule. An Australian by Marriage was completed immediately afterwards but very little is known about it. The other two films were completed by November, when they were all shown to leading members of the government.
Reception
The reviewer from the Daily Telegraph praised the film saying "Seldom has the screen given a more striking demonstration of its power to tell a convincing story.".