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form y separately published work icon Showgirl's Luck single work   film/TV  
Alternative title: Talkie Mad
Issue Details: First known date: 1931... 1931 Showgirl's Luck
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'As devised by Martin Keith, the scenario pictures the exploits of Dawn's company itself. Players arrive on location to make their first talkie, and the screen reveals both the comedy and the heart-break of it before the picture is in the cans. The idea sounds good. It departs from the back-stage business, yet allows specialty numbers to be dropped in as naturally as if a footlight story were being shot.'

Source:

'Australia Makes a Talkie: First All-Dialogue and Music Film', The Register News-Pictorial, 31 May 1930, p.19.

Notes

  • Talkie Mad was the original working title for the film.
  • Showgirl's Luck's position as 'Australia's first talkie', much promoted in the late 1980s, after a print of the film was rediscovered, is the subject of some controversy.

    See, for example:

    'Australia's First "Talkie" Discovered', Newsletter (National Film and Sound Archive), no. 7 (August 1987), p.1.

    'Australian Talkies before "Showgirl's Luck": Reply to Australia's First "Talkie" Discovered', Newsletter (National Film and Sound Archive), no. 8 (December 1987, pp.3-4. (Includes list of known Australian sound films produced or released prior to 24 November 1931.)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Showgirl's Luck Clay Djubal , 2011 single work criticism
— Appears in: Australian Variety Theatre Archive : Popular Culture Entertainment: 1850-1930

An overview of the first Australian feature film to be produced, completed and exhibited with an entire sound accompaniment.

Sadie's Luck Rob McKay , 1987 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 6 August 1987; (p. 5)
The Virgins and Vamps Found Life Rolled On after the Final Take Meg Stewart , 1985 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 7 July 1985; (p. 42S-44S, 46S)
Sadie's Luck Rob McKay , 1987 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 6 August 1987; (p. 5)
The Virgins and Vamps Found Life Rolled On after the Final Take Meg Stewart , 1985 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 7 July 1985; (p. 42S-44S, 46S)
Showgirl's Luck Clay Djubal , 2011 single work criticism
— Appears in: Australian Variety Theatre Archive : Popular Culture Entertainment: 1850-1930

An overview of the first Australian feature film to be produced, completed and exhibited with an entire sound accompaniment.

Last amended 28 Aug 2014 10:27:15
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