Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

The Birth of White Australia (1928)

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clip The start of the trouble

This clip chosen to be PG

Clip description

Mary Davis (Dot McConville) upbraids some Chinese miners for doing their washing in the creek that everyone must draw their drinking water from. They chase her and she falls, knocking herself out. As two Chinese men crouch over her body, one with a knife, her suitor Tom Kendrick (Frank Hardingham) rides to the rescue, running both men off after an exchange of blows. Mary’s father John (Bert Trawley) is so grateful he makes Tom (who’s now suddenly called Frank) an offer of partnership.

Curator’s notes

by Paul Byrnes

The Chinese miners were played by non-Chinese actors wearing crude disguises – which is perhaps not surprising, given the film’s hostility towards the Chinese. The sloppiness with which the film was made is farcically evident in the fact that the titles get the first name of the character wrong, apparently confusing him with the actor who plays him. He is Tom Kendrick when introduced, and Frank Kendrick by the end of the scene.

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australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.

All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions.

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