| The Price | |
|---|---|
 Everyone's 12 November 1924 | |
| Directed by | Dunstan Webb |
| Written by | Mary Mallon |
| Produced by | Mary Mallon |
| Starring | James Alexander |
Production company | Australian National Films [1] |
Release date |
|
| Country | Australia |
| Languages | Silent film English intertitles |
| Budget | £1,000 [2] |
The Price is a 1924 Australian silent film made with a largely amateur cast under the direction of Dunstan Webb. It is considered a lost film.
Tom Howard's wealthy parents want him to become a banker but he leaves home to become a jockey. He does not do well and decides to return home, only to read that his mother and father have been killed in a motor accident.
Too ashamed to collect his inheritance, he buys an old horse and works as a cab driver in Sydney.
Tom is eventually found in a hospital by his sister who persuades him to return home, where he reconciles with his former girlfriend. [2] [3] [4]
Mary Mallon formed her own company, Australian National Films, in April 1924 and spent less than £1,000 to make the movie. [1]
Shooting began in early 1924. [2] The movie featured several Sydney cabarets and racing stables, including Randwick Racecourse. [8] [9]
Part scenes at the Ambassador Hotel were shot in August 1924. [10] [11]
Some of the actors were amateurs cast from a competition. [12] The A reported of the cast were amateurs, selected over a thousand applicants. [13] [14]
A preview of the film was held in October 1924. Everyones said the film "was most generally approved, the photography and direction being equal to anything done in this country." [15]
Some screenings were accompanied by Dunstan Webb, who said he would talk to any members of the audience interested in appearing in future films made by the company. [16]
A critic from Everyones called it "a creditable story, ably retold by an efficient producer and a clever company of actors, most of them screen tyros, but, under capable direction, doing exceptionally good work. Being locally-made, it will, as usual, be taken more critically than a majority of the overseas article." The critic did add "the tale is excellently told, and the many masterly touches of realism, so naturally transferred to the screen, are a credit to the producer. Unfortunately, the ending comes some- what abruptly, due, we are given to understand, by force of circumstances (mainly financial)." [4]
The costs were so low the film reportedly made a small profit. [2]
Mallon was involved in the making of another film, Repentant Woman. However filming ended when the production ran out of money and Mallon left for New Zealand with a copy of The Price. [1]
Mallon later claimed two cast members of The Price, Phyllis du Barry and Lucille Lisle, found success in the USA. [17]
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