The Waybacks | |
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Directed by | Arthur W. Sterry |
Based on | play by Philip Lytton novels by Henry Fletcher |
Produced by | Humbert Pugliese |
Starring | Vincent White |
Cinematography | Ernest Higgins [1] |
Production company | Koala Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 7,000 feet [2] |
Country | Australia |
Languages | Silent film English intertitles |
The Waybacks is a 1918 Australian silent film directed by Arthur W. Sterry. It is a rural comedy in the vein of Dad and Dave based on a play adaptation of a series of popular novels. [3] Only part of the film survives today.
The Wayback family visit Sydney from the bush. Dad and his son Jabex make friends with a group of bathing beauties at Bondi. Mum visits a fortune teller.
The Waybacks | |
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![]() Poster from Tasmania production of play | |
Written by | Philip Lytton |
Date premiered | 1915 |
Original language | English |
Genre | Rural comedy |
The Waybacks, also known as The Waybacks at Home and in Town, was a 1915 Australian play by Philip Lytton which was adapted from the stories by Henry Fletcher about the comic adventures of a rural family. The play was seen as attempt to cash in on the success of the theatre version of On Our Selection , and enjoyed almost as much popularity at the box office during its original run. [4] [5] [6]
The plot involves the Wayback family visiting Sydney and having various adventures. [7]
Director Sterry previously enjoyed success with The Life Story of John Lee, or The Man They Could Not Hang (1921). He appeared in the original stage production as Charley Lyons. [8]
The film was shot near Windsor and in Sydney. Two of the cast, Gladys Leigh and Harry Hodson, reprised their roles from the stage production. [9]
The film was released in August 1918. The premiere was held at Sydney Town Hall and resulted in a near riot as people sought tickets. The film went on to be a success with the box office. [10] It continued to be seen in cinemas until 1925. [11] It was re-released as The Waybacks of 1925.
Sterry planned a sequel, The Cornstalks, but it does not seem to have been completed. [9]