Will They Never Come?
| Will They Never Come? | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Alfred Rolfe |
| Written by |
Phillip Gell Loris Brown |
| Based on | picture by Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett[1] |
| Starring | Guy Hastings |
Production company | |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 2,000 feet |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Will They Never Come? is a 1915 Australian film directed by Alfred Rolfe. It was based on a cartoon published by the Weekly Dispatch and the story "is based upon duty to one's country, in contradistinction to the younger members devoting their leisure to sport" .[3] It is considered a lost film.
Plot
A hero enlists in the Australian army during World War I while his brother does not. But while the brother is at the races, surfing and cricket, he imagines that thousands are suffering because he shirked.[4]
Production
The film was written by two publicists from Australasian Films and was made with the co-operation of the Minister of Defence, Senator Pearce. Colonel Wallack and Majors Page and Sadler were the military liaisons.[5]
It was shot at Liverpool using real members of the First Australian Imperial Force, who when the film was released were serving in the Dardanelles.
The lead role was played by the "very cockney comic lead of the late lamented George Blood Co."[6]
Reception
The film was very successful and resulted in a full-length sequel, The Hero of the Dardanelles (1915). Both films were used as a recruiting tool, taken around the country by members of the armed forces for special screenings.[7] However, the original film did not feature any battle sequences.
References
- ↑ "HERO OP THE DARDANELLES.". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 16 July 1915. p. 8. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ↑ "PICTURE BLOCK THEATRES.". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 3 April 1915. p. 15. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ↑ "TO AID RECRUITING.". The North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times. Tas.: National Library of Australia. 21 April 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ↑ ""Will They Never Come [?]".". The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate. NSW: National Library of Australia. 13 July 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ↑ ""WILL THEY NEVER COME ?".". The Sunday Times. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 28 March 1915. p. 16. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ↑ "PAVILION.". The Sunday Times. Perth: National Library of Australia. 25 April 1915. p. 16. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ↑ "Heroes of The Dardenelies.". The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser. Heathcote, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 21 June 1917. p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2012.