Australian Film Syndicate Explained

The Australian Film Syndicate was an Australian film production company based in North Sydney. According to novelist Arthur Wright, "A local draper put a lot of money into it, and lost it; though all the films produced were not 'duds.' One which paid its way well was an adaptation of my novel, Gamblers Gold".^[1]

History

The company was formed in May 1911. Wright wrote "a draper and a medico found the finance. They also lost it".

In November 1911 it was announced the Australian Film Company was formed with a capital of £20,000 to make movies for the Australian Film Syndicate.^{[2] [3]} The Australian Film Company went into liquidation in 1913.^[4]

An advertisement of June 1911 pushing The Octoroon said the company had also made The Shadow of the Rockies, Black Talbot and Diamond Cross.^[5] In June 1911, the actor EB Williams was reported as working for them.^[6]

The company was involved in various lawsuits.^[7]

According to Lacey Percival, six films were made for the Australian Film Syndicate.

There was a fire at the Melbourne office of the JD Williams Australian Film Company in November 1911.^[8]

The Australian Film Company was liquidated in April 1913.^{[9] [10]} (Another Australian Film Company appeared to emerge in following years).^[11]

Filmography

• The Golden West (27 March 1911)^{[12] [13]}
• Three Strings to Her Bow (10 April 1911)^[14]
• Black Talbot (11 August 1911 preview)^[15]
• The Diamond Cross (11 August 1911 preview)
• Gambler's Gold (November 1911)
• Strike (March 1912)
• The Octoroon
• The Shadow of the Rockies

Notes and References

1. News: To Pana's Page On Passing and Past Shows. . The Referee. Sydney . 1 July 1931 . 13 September 2014 . 24 . National Library of Australia.
2. News: NEW COMPANIES. . The Evening News. Sydney . 30 November 1911 . 13 September 2014 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: NOTES AND COMMENTS. . . 23,053 . New South Wales, Australia . 1 December 1911 . 26 February 2024 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: NOTES AND COMMENTS. . . 8 May 1913 . 13 September 2014 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: Advertising . . 22,907 . New South Wales, Australia . 14 June 1911 . 26 February 2024 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: THEATRICAL TIT-BITS. . . X . 627 . New South Wales, Australia . 28 June 1911 . 26 February 2024 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: DISTRICT COURT. . The Daily Telegraph . 10,382 . New South Wales, Australia . 3 September 1912 . 26 February 2024 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
8. News: FIRE PANIC. . Sunday Times . 1402 . New South Wales, Australia . 1 December 1912 . 26 February 2024 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: IN THE MATTER OF THE AUSTRALIAN FILM CO., LTD. . . 63 . New South Wales, Australia . 30 April 1913 . 26 February 2024 . 2623 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: NOTES AND COMMENTS. . . 23,502 . New South Wales, Australia . 8 May 1913 . 26 February 2024 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
11. News: AUSTRALIAN FILMS. . . LII . 15,442 . South Australia . 5 February 1915 . 26 February 2024 . 4 (SPECIAL WAR EDITION.) . National Library of Australia.
12. News: Advertising. . . Sydney . 2 April 1911 . 13 September 2014 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
13. News: Advertising . The Sun . 227 . New South Wales, Australia . 22 March 1911 . 26 February 2024 . 3 (FINAL EXTRA) . National Library of Australia.
14. News: Advertising . The Daily Telegraph . 9943 . New South Wales, Australia . 10 April 1911 . 26 February 2024 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
15. News: Advertising . . XXIX . 134 . New South Wales, Australia . 4 August 1911 . 26 February 2024 . 11 . National Library of Australia.