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y separately published work icon The Broken Melody single work   novel   romance   adventure  
Issue Details: First known date: 1930... 1930 The Broken Melody
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Adaptations

form y separately published work icon The Broken Melody The Vagabond Violinist Frank Harvey , ( dir. Ken G. Hall ) Sydney : Cinesound Productions , 1938 Z1418090 1938 single work film/TV

Loosely based on the novel by Australian author F. J. Thwaites, The Broken Melody concerns John Ainsworth, a talented violinist and university teacher whose life and career begin to spiral out of control in the aftermath of a nightclub brawl. He eventually becomes penniless, and without any prospect of employment is forced to drift about Sydney as a vagabond. After he prevents an equally impoverished girl, Ann, from attempting suicide, she encourages him to begin playing his violin again. He then progresses from busking on street corners to playing in a cabaret club, where he eventually comes to the attention of a French entrepreneur. Ainsworth is sent to England where he finds success and fame as a conductor and composer. He later returns to Australia in order to tour his own opera. One night, the company's fiery soprano refuses to sing and her understudy is rushed on stage. It is Ann, whom John instantly recognises, and thus the pair are happily reunited.

Although the film is essentially a 'high drama,' Ken G. Hall infused the narrative with occasional light comic touches, in addition to moments of deliberate sentimentality (including [for example] a death-bed reunion between John and his dying father). Much of the comedic moments fell to veteran variety artist Alec Kellaway who played Joe, a genial pickpocket.

form y separately published work icon The Broken Melody 1961 Z1418753 1961 series - publisher radio play

Notes

  • Dedication : I Dedicate this Book
    to the one who instilled into my heart my love of country, and by so doing, gave me the inspiration to write
    My GRAN
    and to the one who fought through the grim battle of life with a smile, facing her great adversity like a Godly woman, yet still maintained that splendid spirit to win
    MY MOTHER
  • Also made into a film and a radio serial.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Sydney, New South Wales,: N.S.W. Bookstall Company , 1932 .
      Extent: 277p.
      Edition info: 4th rev. ed.
      Written as: Frederick Joseph Thwaites
      Reprinted: 1932 , 1945 , 1941 , 1939 , 1938 , 1936 , 1933 , 1946
      Note/s:
      • Details of other N. S. W. Bookstall Co. reprints yet to be established.
    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,
      :
      Eyre and Spottiswoode ,
      1933 .
      Extent: vi, 288 p.p.
      Reprinted: 1935
      Note/s:
      • First English edition.
      • Author's name printed on spine as 'F. W. Thwaites'.
    • Sydney, New South Wales,: H. John Edwards , 1950-1959 .
      Extent: 256p.
      Reprinted: 1960
      Note/s:
      • Details of other H. John Edwards reprints yet to be established.
      • A Red-Back Giant Novel
    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Arkon Paperbacks , 1984 .
      Extent: 311p.
      ISBN: 0207147434
      Series: Arkon Paperbacks Angus and Robertson (publisher), 1972 series - publisher Arkon is a paperback reprint imprint of the Australian publisher Angus and Robertson. The series was launched in 1972 to be merchandised in connection with T. V. series and involved the cartoonist Patrick Cook.

Other Formats

Works about this Work

More Australian Publishing Phil Grim , 1933 single work column
— Appears in: All About Books , 12 September vol. 5 no. 9 1933; (p. 151)
Grim praises N.S.W. Bookstall's efforts in promoting Australian literature and for also "catering for the market so abhorred by literary snobs".
Untitled 1931 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 28 January vol. 52 no. 2659 1931; (p. 5)

— Review of The Broken Melody Frederick J. Thwaites , 1930 single work novel
Untitled 1931 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 28 January vol. 52 no. 2659 1931; (p. 5)

— Review of The Broken Melody Frederick J. Thwaites , 1930 single work novel
More Australian Publishing Phil Grim , 1933 single work column
— Appears in: All About Books , 12 September vol. 5 no. 9 1933; (p. 151)
Grim praises N.S.W. Bookstall's efforts in promoting Australian literature and for also "catering for the market so abhorred by literary snobs".
Last amended 3 Jun 2008 09:24:35
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