Amalgamated Pictures
Amalgamated Pictures was a short-lived Australian film production company. Although none of its output has survived, it has been written that "judging by subjects chosen, the average length (4,000 feet) and the scale of Amalgamated's productions, the company was second only to Spencer's Pictures in its resolve to build a quality reputation for Australian features" in the Australian film boom of 1911-12.[1][2]
History
It was formed in March 1911 by the brothers John and Nevin Tait, and Millard Johnson and William Gibson, with capital of £100,000.[3] They produced numerous newsreels and feature films, with their chief creative talent being the writer-director W. J. Lincoln and cameraman Orrie Perry.[4] They also owned a number of theatres.[5]
The bulk of Amalgamated's movies were shot at a studio in St Kilda. At one stage 80-90 people were employed by the company.[6] All but one of its features was adapted from a novel, song, story or stage play. Acting talent was drawn from the stage.
In 1912, Amalgamated Pictures merged with West's Pictures, and then Spencer's Pictures to create the General Film Company of Australasia. In November 1912 this company merged with the Greater JD Williams Amusement Co, a large exhibition and film supply outfit, to create "the combine" of Union Theatres and Australasian Films.[7][8][9]
Filmography
- After Sundown (1911)
- The Mystery of a Hansom Cab (1911)
- The Luck of Roaring Camp (1911)
- Called Back (1911)
- The Lost Chord (1911)
- The Bells (1911)
- The Double Event (1911)
- Breaking the News (1912)
- Rip Van Winkle (1912)
- His Only Chance (1918)
References
- ↑ Graham Shirley and Brian Adams, Australian Cinema: The First Eighty Years, Currency Press 1989 p 41
- ↑ "PICTURE PROFILES IN THE OLDEN DAYS.". The Winner (Melbourne: National Library of Australia). 9 February 1916. p. 11. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ↑ "SHARE MARKET AND MINING.". The Register (Adelaide: National Library of Australia). 23 March 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ↑ "Jubilee of pioneer work of man whose.". The Advertiser (Adelaide: National Library of Australia). 15 September 1951. p. 6. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ↑ "ST. KILDA PICTURE THEATRE.". The Argus (Melbourne: National Library of Australia). 12 April 1911. p. 15. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ↑ After Sundown at National Film and Sound Archive
- ↑ "AMALGAMATED PICTURES LTD.". The Sydney Morning Herald (National Library of Australia). 7 April 1913. p. 11. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ↑ 'A Brief History of the Greater Union Organisation' Greater Union website
- ↑ Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, p.14.