Spur of the Moment (film) explained

Spur of the Moment
Director:A. R. Harwood
Producer:A. R. Harwood
Story:Betty Davies
Starring:James Alexander
Cinematography:Leslie McCallum
Ed Eintle
Studio:A. R. Harwood Talkie Productions
Runtime:50 minutes
Country:Australia

Spur of the Moment is a 1931 Australian film directed by A. R. Harwood. It was one of the first Australian talking movies.[1]

Plot

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

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

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

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: AUSTRALIAN TALKIES. . . Perth . 16 October 1931 . 5 April 2012 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: CINEMA NOTES. . . Hobart, Tasmania . 6 November 1931 . 5 April 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: AUSTRALIA WEEK AT LYCEUM. . . 18 November 1931 . 5 April 2012 . 20 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: No. 1. Our Chances for World Markets. . . Melbourne . 17 August 1933 . 16 March 2015 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: A WOMAN'S LETTER. . . Qld. . 15 October 1931 . 5 April 2012 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  6. Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998 p154
  7. News: THE PICTURES. . . Melbourne . 16 June 1931 . 5 April 2012 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: CINEMA NOTES. . . Hobart, Tasmania . 19 June 1931 . 5 April 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.