AustLit

1. According to a retrospective on Australian film published in the Sydney Morning Herald in the 1930s, 'Mr Howell claimed that the first "close-up" was taken not by D. W. Griffith, as was claimed by many but by Raymond Longford in the silent film of "The Silence of Dean Maitland." Mr Harry Thomas played the part of the dean. During the confession sermon the camera was concentrated on his face while he mouthed the words. When the picture was projected, he stood behind the screen and spoke the lines' (Mon. 29 Jan. 1934, p.6).

2. The film was the subject of a court case in late 1914. According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, 'This was an action brought by Raymond Hollis Longford against Henry Ernest Odell Gee, in which plaintiff complained that he had a contract with one C. W. Fraser for the supply and production of moving picture plays, and defendant, while the contract was still in force, unlawfully, maliciously, and wrongfully, and against the will of the plaintiff, induced Fraser to break it, whereby plaintiff lost the profits he would have made from the contract, and from the supply and production of picture plays with Fraser and other persons, and was injured in his calling and profession. Plaintiff's case, as stated by his counsel, was that he was an actor by profession, and had been engaged for some time dramatising novels for moving picture plays. He entered into a contract with J. W. Fraser, by which the latter undertook to screen pictures from plays written and adapted for that purpose by plaintiff, and to pay him £1000 per annum. That contract was made in May of this year. Among other plays, plaintiff wrote a dramatic adaptation of "The Silence of Dean Maitland," which was to be shown by Fraser in Sydney and suburbs. This was first exhibited at the Criterion Theatre on June 9, but subsequently Fraser came to him, and told him that he could not proceed further with the contract in consequence of what defendant had said to him. Plaintiff thereupon went to defendant, who was connected with the Australasian Films, Ltd., and repeated the conversation he had had with Fraser. Geo admitted that he had interfered to prevent the further production of the play, and said it was no use plaintiff running his head against a stone wall. Plaintiff then said, "Fraser tells me that if he carries out the contract you will boycott him." Gee replied, "I have to stop it, and if Fraser goes on with you I shall boycott him throughout Australia." Plaintiff said that his business was absolutely brought to an end under his contract, and that he had lost not only £1000 a year, but claimed that he was also entitled to the prospective profits he would have made if he had been allowed to proceed with his contract. Damages were laid at £2000' (Thurs. 24 Sep. 1914, p.5)