The Road to Ruin (1913 film)

Last updated

The Road to Ruin
Directed by W. J. Lincoln
Produced by W. J. Lincoln
Godfrey Cass
Starring Roy Redgrave
Cinematography Maurice Bertel
Production
company
Release date
  • 13 October 1913 (1913-10-13) [1]
Running time
2,700 feet
CountryAustralia
Languages Silent film
English intertitles

The Road to Ruin is an Australian melodrama film directed by W. J. Lincoln. [2] It was one of the first movies from Lincoln-Cass Films and is considered a lost film. [3]

Contents

Plot

Norman Harding, son of magnate Sir Gerald Harding, makes a fortune from stock speculation but borrows too much and faces ruin. His sister Elsie is in love with a bank clerk, Harold Henderson, who Norman persuades to help him in a bank fraud. Henderson becomes drawn into society life and finds himself greatly in debt but is bailed out by Sir Gerald. [4] [5]

Production

The film was shot in Melbourne and features many notable landmarks such as the Royal Botanical Gardens. [6] The movie was supposedly based on fact. Scenes at Caulfield Raceway were taken on 6 September 1913 and included Meritus winning the Doona Trials. [7]

Cast

Reception

According to one review:

The Road to Ruin stands out as one of the most unique dramas of Melbourne life. It is founded on fact, and in the course of the story both interiors and exteriors of the city are included. It discloses some most beautiful scenic bits of Melbourne, including the Botanical Gardens, street scenes and important business houses and a magnificent series of race Sictures taken at Caulfield on Saturday, 6th inst., showing Meritus winning the Doona Trials. [9]

It was the first Lincoln Cass film to be released in Sydney. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">W. J. Lincoln</span> Australian playwright, theatre manager, film director and screenwriter

William Joseph Lincoln was an Australian playwright, theatre manager, film director and screenwriter in the silent era. He produced, directed and/or wrote 23 films between 1911 and 1916.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Godfrey Cass</span> Australian actor

Godfrey Cass was an Australian actor in the silent era. Between 1906 and 1935 he acted in nineteen film roles. He played Ned Kelly three times, and also had roles in a number of other bushranger movies including A Tale of the Australian Bush (1911) and Moondyne (1913).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust</span>

The Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust (PMTT) was a former tram operator in Melbourne, Australia. The trust was formed in 1907, with its first line operating in 1910. Its functions were taken over by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board in 1920.

Rip Van Winkle is a 1912 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln about Rip Van Winkle. It was arguably Australia's first fantasy film.

Nurse Cavell is a 1916 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln about the execution of Edith Cavell during World War I. It was also known as Edith Cavell.

The Remittance Man is an Australian melodrama film directed by W. J. Lincoln about a thief's reformation.

<i>Transported</i> 1913 Australian convict melodrama film

Transported is an Australian convict melodrama film directed by W. J. Lincoln.

The Reprieve is a 1913 Australian melodrama film directed by W. J. Lincoln about a man on trial for killing his unfaithful wife. It is considered a lost film. Contemporary reviews were positive.

Lincoln Cass Films was a short-lived Australian film production company.

The Sick Stockrider is a 1913 film directed by W. J. Lincoln based on the 1870 poem of the same title by Adam Lindsay Gordon. It was the first production from Lincoln-Cass Films and is one of the few Australian silent films to survive in its entirety.

<i>The Double Event</i> (1911 film) 1911 Australian film

The Double Event is a 1911 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln based on the first novel by Nat Gould, which had been adapted several times for the stage, notably by Bland Holt.

Called Back is a 1911 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln based on a popular play which was adapted from an 1883 novel by Hugh Conway. Although the movie was a popular success it is now considered a lost film.

Within Our Gates, also known as Deeds that Won Gallipoli, is a 1915 Australian silent film about Australia's fight with the German Empire and the Ottoman Empire during World War I, including the landing at Gaba Tepe during the Gallipoli campaign. The story was partly based on a play The Man Who Stayed at Home.

<i>Captain Midnight, the Bush King</i> 1911 film

Captain Midnight, the Bush King is a 1911 Australian silent Western film about the fictitious bushranger Captain Midnight. It was the directorial debut of actor Alfred Rolfe. The film is based on the play of same name by W. J. Lincoln and Alfred Dampier. Captain Midnight, the Bush King is now considered lost.

Amalgamated Pictures Ltd was a film exchange company in Australia.

After Sundown is a 1911 Australian film directed by W. J. Lincoln set in the Australian bush.

The Auditorium was an eight-storey Edwardian building at 167–173 Collins Street, Melbourne, between Swanston and Russell streets, named for its great hall, which was intended for concerts, but was mostly used as a cinema.

<i>Moondyne</i> (film) 1913 Australian film

Moondyne is a 1913 Australian film from the Lincoln-Cass Film Company based on the novel Moondyne.

References

  1. Mary Bateman, 'Lincoln Cass Filmography', Cinema Papers, June–July 1980 p 175
  2. Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, p43
  3. "NIGGER JIM". The Mail . Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 18 October 1913. p. 6 Section: SECOND SECTION. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  4. "IDEAL THEATRE". The Morning Bulletin . Rockhampton, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 22 July 1915. p. 5. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  5. "MOVING PICTURES". The Prahran Telegraph (Vic. : 1889 – 1930) . Vic.: National Library of Australia. 27 September 1913. p. 2. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  6. "AU[?][?]". The Cairns Post . Qld.: National Library of Australia. 16 June 1915. p. 4. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  7. "MOVING PICTURES". The Prahran Telegraph . Vol. 51, no. 2709. Victoria, Australia. 20 September 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 2 May 2016 via National Library of Australia.
  8. "LYRIC THEATRE. Royal Pictures". The Prahran Telegraph (Vic. : 1889 – 1930) . Vic.: National Library of Australia. 11 October 1913. p. 8. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  9. "MOVING PICTURES". The Prahran Telegraph (Vic. : 1889 – 1930) . Vic.: National Library of Australia. 20 September 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  10. "NIGGER JIM". The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 – 1954) . Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 18 October 1913. p. 6 Section: SECOND SECTION. Retrieved 7 July 2015.