The Lost Chord (1911 film)

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The Lost Chord
Directed by W. J. Lincoln
Written by W. J. Lincoln
Based onthe song The Lost Chord by Sir Arthur Sullivan
Produced by William Gibson
Millard Johnson
John Tait
Nevin Tait
Cinematography Orrie Perry
Production
company
Distributed byTait's Pictures [1]
Release date
  • 13 May 1911 (1911-05-13) [2]
CountryAustralia
Languages Silent film
English intertitles

The Lost Chord is a 1911 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln based on the famous song The Lost Chord by Sir Arthur Sullivan. [3] [4]

Contents

It is now considered a lost film.

Production

It was one of several films Lincoln made with the Tait family, who had produced The Story of the Kelly Gang . [5] The Taits, along with Millard Johnson and William Gibson, had recently established Amalgamated Pictures, which first film was Mystery of the Hansom Cab. The Lost Chord, an adaptation of a hugely popular song, was second. [6]

Screenings were often accompanied by a singer who would perform the song. [7] [8] [9] The film has been regarded as one of the earlier example of film-sound synchronisation. [10] It is likely the film was only short although one account says it ran for 5,000 feet which would be 100 minutes. [11]

Reception

Isabell Bull sang accompanying the film during its original release. [12] The Argus wrote "the pictorial interpretation of Sir Arthur Sullivan's famous composition 'The Lost Chord' was beautiful." [13]

Table Talk wrote the film " drew a large audience to the Glaciarium last Saturday evening, which evidenced its admiration and appreciation of the artistic representation in a very unmistakable way. The inspiration of the words has been cleverly adapted, and the pictorial representa tion is excellent. Miss Bertha Bella's singing of the stately melody does much towards the success of the whole, tor the words and music are given with great, fervor and impressiveness." [14]

The Melbourne Herald, reviewing a line up of films from one evening, declared "the gem of the evening was undoubtedly the fine film entitled The Lost Chord. While the picture was being displayed, Miss Isabel Bull sang Sir Arthur Sullivan's popular song, with organ aceompaniment. The rendering, which was very effective, was loudly applauded." [15]

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References

  1. ↑ "DRAMATIC NOTES". The Australasian . Vol. XC, no. 2, 355. Victoria, Australia. 20 May 1911. p. 41. Retrieved 22 July 2024– via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ "Advertising". The Argus . Melbourne. 6 May 1911. p. 23. Retrieved 29 January 2012– via National Library of Australia.
  3. ↑ Mary Bateman, 'W. J. Lincoln', Cinema Papers, June–July 1980 p 214
  4. ↑ "THE PLAYGOER". Punch. Vol. CXIV, no. 2913. Victoria, Australia. 25 May 1911. p. 37. Retrieved 22 July 2024– via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ Endean, Lin (13 December 1933). "134 Years in the Industry: The Perrys' Record identifier". Everyones. p. 44.
  6. ↑ "ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE". Bendigo Advertiser . Vol. LIX, no. 17, 411. Victoria, Australia. 29 May 1911. p. 7. Retrieved 22 July 2024– via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, 20.
  8. ↑ "AMUSEMENTS". The Mercury . Hobart, Tas. 12 June 1911. p. 6. Retrieved 8 April 2012– via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "Advertising". The Age . No. 17, 515. Victoria, Australia. 6 May 1911. p. 18. Retrieved 22 July 2024– via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ "AUSTRALIAN MOVIE PIONEERS". The Bulletin. 1 February 1939. p. 38.
  11. ↑ "AUSTRALODDITIES". Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 – 1954) . Ipswich) (Qld. 19 August 1949. p. 6 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 29 June 2015– via National Library of Australia.
  12. ↑ "St. Kilda Theatre". The Prahran Telegraph . Vol. XLX, no. 2588. Victoria, Australia. 27 May 1911. p. 5. Retrieved 22 July 2024– via National Library of Australia.
  13. ↑ "THEATRES AND ENTERTAINMENTS". The Argus (Melbourne) . No. 20, 221. Victoria, Australia. 15 May 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 22 July 2024– via National Library of Australia.
  14. ↑ "TAIT'S PICTURES". Table Talk. Victoria, Australia. 18 May 1911. p. 24. Retrieved 22 July 2024– via National Library of Australia.
  15. ↑ "ST. KILDA THEATRE". The Herald. No. 11, 097. Victoria, Australia. 29 May 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 22 July 2024– via National Library of Australia.


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