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The Silence of Dean Maitland (1914 film)

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The Silence of Dean Maitland
Directed byRaymond Longford
Written by
Based onthe novel by Maxwell Gray
Starring
CinematographyTasman Higgins[1]
Edited byTasman Higgins
Production
company
Release date
  • 13 June 1914 (1914-06-13)
Running time
3,800 feet[2]
CountryAustralia
Languages
Budget£400[3]
Box office£5,000[4]

The Silence of Dean Maitland is a 1914 Australian silent film directed by Raymond Longford. It is an adaptation of the 1886 novel of the same name by Maxwell Gray which was later filmed by Ken G. Hall in 1934. It is considered a lost film.[5]

Plot

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The Reverend Dean Maitland (Harry Thomas) falls for Alma Lee (Nellie Brooks) and impregnates her, despite being engaged to another woman. Alma's father attacks Maitland and Maitland accidentally kills him in the struggle. His best friend, Dr Henry Everard (Arthur Shirley) is convicted of the crime and sentenced to twenty years in gaol. When Everard is released he comes to Maitland's church. The Dean confesses his guilt publicly and collapses and dies.

Cast

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  • Harry Thomas as Dean Maitland
  • Gwil Adams as Lilian, Cyril's sister
  • Nellie Brooks as Alma Lee
  • Ada Clyde as Mrs. Lee
  • Jack Goodall
  • Rebe Grey as Marion Maitland
  • Charles Keegan as Cyrill
  • Nellie Kemberman as Cyril's mother
  • Lottie Lyell as Marion Everhard
  • James Martin as Ben Lee
  • Arthur Shirley as Doctor Henry Everard
  • Little Tuppeny /Ellen Blood as Everard Maitland
  • Charles Villiers as Judkins

Production

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The movie was based on a play adaptation of the novel which had last appeared in Sydney in the 1890s.[6] Longford signed a two-year contract with Fraser Film Company to write films from May 1914 at £1,000 a year. This adaptation of The Silence of Dean Maitland was the first script Longford submitted.[7]

Entirely set in England, the film was shot on location in the grounds of Gladesville Mental Asylum in Sydney.[8] According to The Bulletin, "despite the fact that Longford had no proper studio to work in (as a matter of fact, he had nothing more convenient than a backyard), it was completed in 21 days."[9] Raymond Longford later alleged that "the Combine" refused to let him film in their Rushcutters Bay Studio.[10]

Harry Thomas, who played the leading role, was a noted elocutionist.[11]

The movie was reportedly one of the first to feature the close-up shot.[12] However this is not true.[2]

Release

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Colin Fraser secured the Palace Theatre in Sydney for the film's release. However the Combine threatened to cancel its supply of further films to the theatre, and other theatres, if they showed the film. Longford sued for restraint of trade and lost.[5]

Despite this the film was a considerable success at the box office.[10] It also enjoyed a popular release in the UK.[13]

The film was successfully previewed. One person recalled, "The picture finished to tremendous applause, and from that minute it was a great success. When we got down to the Pitt Street offices many exhibitors were there before us eager to book this winner."[14]

In 1918 Archive Fraser claimed the movie was the most successful Australian film to date at the box office.[1]

In 1925 Everyones called it "the first long-run production, having enjoyed a popularity expressed in years and not months... even to-day it is always assured of a profitable season wherever shown, even though the techinque of production and photography have made vast strides in the interim. It was he who built the first motion picture studio in Australia."[15]

Critical

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The critic from The Sydney Morning Herald said that "the picture is well taken and the various roles are cleverly portrayed."[6]

The Daily News said "the photographic and histrionic qualities of the production are excellent, the producer having not only kept closely to the text of the novel, but carefully selected his artists with a view to preserving the facial characteristics of the dramatis personae."[16]

Variety said "There Is some good scenic photography, but the acting is a trifle "cheap." Henry Thomas.. could not refrain from looking Into the "eyes" of the camera at all times. The principal criticism Is the lack of growth of the Dean's children covering a long period of years. They never ceased to be children as the years passed."[17]

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Fraser elected to pull out of the contract with Longford at the suggestion of exhibitor Henry Gee of Australasian Films. Longford tried to sue Gee for £1,000 for helping procure breach of contract but was not successful. He appealed the decision, but the court found against him again.[7] The battle hurt Longford's career for a time – he made two short films, then had to leave for New Zealand to get finance.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Production Of Moving Pictures--In America And Australia". Australian Town and Country Journal. Vol. XCVIII, no. 2555. New South Wales, Australia. 18 December 1918. p. 20. Retrieved 21 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b "Raymond Longford", Cinema Papers, January 1974 p51
  3. ^ Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, 51.
  4. ^ "Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 22 July 1920. p. 4. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Bound printed copy of Minutes of Evidence of the Royal Commission on the Moving Picture Industry in Australia (one of two copies)". National Archives of Australia. NAA: A11636, 4/1. p. 145.
  6. ^ a b ""The Silence Of Dean Maitland."". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 10 June 1914. p. 17. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Law Report". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 6 November 1914. p. 5. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Amusements". The Mercury. Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 24 August 1914. p. 8. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  9. ^ "SUNDRY SHOWS.", The Bulletin, Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 18 June 1914, nla.obj-660533247, retrieved 26 July 2024 – via Trove
  10. ^ a b Graham Shirley and Brian Adams, Australian Cinema: The First Eighty Years, Currency Press 1989 p 35
  11. ^ "Amusements". The Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 10 September 1918. p. 8. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  12. ^ "Early Australian Films". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 29 January 1934. p. 6. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  13. ^ "Movie "Heavy" Chats Lightly". Winner. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 22 December 1915. p. 12. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  14. ^ "TALKING ABOUT The Old Timers.", Everyones., Sydney: Everyones Ltd, 22 November 1933, nla.obj-587074578, retrieved 16 August 2024 – via Trove
  15. ^ "An Australian Film Pioneer.", Everyones., 4 (294 (21 October 1925)), Sydney: Everyones Ltd, nla.obj-570545333, retrieved 29 February 2024 – via Trove
  16. ^ ""The Silence Of Dean Maitland"". The Daily News. Perth: National Library of Australia. 2 November 1914. p. 4 Edition: Third Edition. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  17. ^ "The Silence of Dean Maitland". Variety. August 1914. p. 20.
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