Directed by S.A.Fitzgerald Director S.A. Fitzgerald | Produced by Charles Cozens Spencer Initial release 1910 Producer Charles Cozens Spencer Editor Ernest Higgins | |
Starring Jim GeraldRaymond Longford Productioncompany Cozens Spencer's Theatrescope Company Similar Captain Starlight - or Gentlema, The Shadow of Lightning, Captain Midnight - the Bush, Trooper O'Brien, When the Kellys Rode | ||
The Life and Adventures of John Vane, the Notorious Australian Bushranger is a 1910 Australian silent film about the bushranger John Vane, who was a member of Ben Hall's gang.
Contents
It is considered a lost film.
Synopsis
The film starts with John Vane accepting a wager that he wouldn't bail up a Chinese man. Then Vane wins his bet by robbing a Chinese man, leading to headlines which say "Robbery Under Arms by John Vane" and Vane fleeing to the bush with his sweetheart. Later adventures include his capture and release of his sweetheart; the sticking up of the Keightley Homestead; the shooting of Michael Burke, which leads to Vane joining the Ben Hall gang; Vane's change of heart and surrender to Father McCarthy. He serves fifteen years in prison and after release retires comfortably.
The chapter headings were:
- The beginning of a downward career
- bailing up a Chinaman
- His capture and release by his sweetheart
- Michael Bourke horse stealing
- The Reward for his Capture
- Sticking up the Bank at Carcoar
- Police Surprised by the Gang
- "That's My Watch."
- Sticking up at Bathurst
- Police in Pursuit
- The Bushranging Camp; the Warning
- When Rogues Fall Out
- Vane Joins Ben IHali for Raid on Keightley Homestead
- The Bush ; the Gang's Demand
- Next Morning; the Demand Satisfied
- The Quarrel; Vane's Remorse and Farewell to the Gang
- Notice of Reward
- A Mother's Devotion
- Surprised, and Surrender of Vane to Father McCarthy
- Vane in the Hands of the Police on his Way for Trial
- Sentenced to 15 Years
- Six Years Elapse: Released for Good Conduct; Thank God, "Free."
- Thirty Years Elapse; Vane Surrounded by his Family ; " Peace at Last."
- " Often from Evil Cometh Good."
According to a contemporary report "the comic element is not forgotten, for the scene in which Vane is shown bailing up a Chinaman and discovers the booty hidden in the horse's tail, and the various intercits of the Celestial to avoid detection of the plant are not without their humorous side. Most attention however, is paid to the sensational."
Cast
Production
John Vane was the last surviving member of Ben Hall's gang. His memoirs had been published posthumously in 1908.
It was the first dramatic film from Charles Cozens Spencer who had established a production unit in June 1908 which made newsreels and scenic short films. This unit was headed by Ernest Higgins who shot John Vane. Raymond Longford reportedly features in a lead role.
Reception
The film was advertised as "The First Natural Colored Picture in Australia". The critic from the Argus praised the "splendid backgrounds of the sunny New South Wales bush" and said the movie compares "very favourably with the best foreign films." The Evening News called it "a first-class piece of photographic art."
Box office response was popular throughout Australia. Although Spencer was purportedly dissatisfied with the final product, he went on to become a notable backer of early Australian movie production.