Spur of the Moment is a 1931 Australian film directed by A. R. Harwood. It was one of the first Australian talking movies.[1]
| Spur of the Moment | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | A. R. Harwood |
| Written by | A. R. Harwood |
| Story by | Betty Davies |
| Produced by | A. R. Harwood |
| Starring | James Alexander |
| Cinematography | Leslie McCallum Ed Eintle |
Production company | A. R. Harwood Talkie Productions |
Release date | 26 September 1931 |
Running time | 50 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
Plot edit
A wealthy socialite, Claire Rutherford (Beatrice Touzeau), visits her former lover, Tony Iredale (James Alexander), one night. The next day Tony is arrested for the murder of a bookmaker the night before. In order to protect Claire's reputation, Tony remains silent. However a Scotland Yard detective in Melbourne on holiday (William Green) manages to trap the killer.[2]
Production edit
Harwood had attempted to make Australia's first talking movie, Out of the Shadows in 1931 but been unable to complete it. However he managed to secure backing from a Melbourne businessman to fund two low-budget films, this and Isle of Intrigue (1931) made in an old factory at 61 Stanley St West Melbourne which had been converted into a sound studio.[3][4]
The story was written by Melbourne playwright Betty Roland using the name "Betty Davies".[5][6] Filming began in June 1931 after a rehearsal period.[7]
Reception edit
A contemporary review said the script "leaves several matters unexplained, and the eventual confession of the murderer is scarcely convincing... [it] depends almost entirely upon dialogue, and scarcely at all upon action."[2]
The cast included Helene Best, daughter of Australian politician, Sir Robert Best.[8]
Cast edit
- James Alexander as Anthony Iredale
- William Green as Inspector Perry
- Guy Hastings as Chief of C.I.B.
- Darcy Kelway as Joe
- Syd Hollister as Alf
- Fred Patey as Pop
- Charles Bradley as Rutherford
- William Ralston as Burton
- Norman Balmer as Noble
- Russell Cramer as Detective
- Herb Moylan as Clerk of Courts
- Helene Best
References edit
- ^ "AUSTRALIAN TALKIES". The West Australian. Perth. 16 October 1931. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b "CINEMA NOTES". The Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 6 November 1931. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "AUSTRALIA WEEK AT LYCEUM". The Brisbane Courier. 18 November 1931. p. 20. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "No. 1. Our Chances for World Markets". Table Talk. Melbourne. 17 August 1933. p. 7. Retrieved 16 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "A WOMAN'S LETTER". The Cairns Post. Qld. 15 October 1931. p. 8. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998 p154
- ^ "THE PICTURES". The Argus. Melbourne. 16 June 1931. p. 13. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "CINEMA NOTES". The Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 19 June 1931. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
External links edit
- Spur of the Moment at IMDb
- Spur of the Moment at National Film and Sound Archive
- Spur of the Moment at Oz Movies
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