The Waybacks | |
---|---|
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 |
|
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 | |
---|---|
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]
Frederick George Peter Ingle Finch was an English-Australian actor of theatre, film and radio.
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On Our Selection is a 1932 comedy based on the Dad and Dave stories by Steele Rudd. These had been turned into a popular play by Bert Bailey and Edmund Duggan in 1912, which formed the basis for the screenplay. Bailey repeats his stage role as Dad Rudd. He also wrote the script with director Ken G. Hall.
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Our Friends, the Hayseeds is a 1917 Australian rural comedy from director Beaumont Smith. It centers on the rural family, the Hayseeds, and their rivalry with a neighbouring family, the Duggans.
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Arthur William Sterry (1883–1944) was an Australian filmmaker, actor and theatrical entrepreneur. He was born in Collingwood, Victoria and his family moved to Wagga Wagga when he was young. At the age of 18 Sterry moved to Melbourne. He went to work for J. C. Williamson Ltd for a time and ended up establishing his own drama company, Arthur W Sterry's Dramatic Company. He later went to work for the theatrical entrepreneur Philip Lytton, performing in a number of shows including The Waybacks.
Philip Lytton, real name Charles Ernest Phillips, was an Australian actor and theatrical entrepreneur best known for producing theatre shows that toured throughout Australia in the early part of the twentieth century. He started as an actor around 1900 and became friends with J. C. Williamson. With Williamson's assistance, he set up acting schools in Sydney and Melbourne, where his students sometimes appeared in Williamson shows.
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