All titles produced in 1931
23 titles
A
The Alfred, Melbourne: One of Australia’s Greatest Hospitals advertisement – 1931
This four-minute cinema advertisement made by Australian Sound Films promotes the activities of the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne in order to raise funds.
Along the Road to Gundagai music – 1931
This is a famous recording of one of Australia’s most popular songs.
Athol Tier as Napoleon historical – c1931
Athol Tier’s performance as Napoleon was one of the many routines filmed for the Efftee Entertainers series of variety shorts.
Australasian Gazette – Mermaids Swim Well newsreel – c1931
This newsreel from approximately 1931 shows highlights of the Bondi Ladies’ Annual Carnival at the local Bondi Baths, including excerpts from various races.
C
The Cheaters (sound version) feature film – 1931
Paula Marsh decides to end her career as a thief after falling in love with Lee Travers, son of a wealthy businessman.
Construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge documentary – 1931
Looking back now, the lack of safety equipment used during the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is shocking.
D
Diggers feature film – 1931
Pat Hanna first told stories from his time in World War I as part of a travelling comedy troupe, then adapted the material into film.
E
Efftee Film Productions Congratulates Miss Dorothy Fricke newsreel – 1931
This silent newsreel item shows the debutante celebration of Miss Dorothy Fricke, held at Chelsea Memorial Hall in Melbourne on 24 August 1931.
Efftee Studio Opening in Melbourne: Speech by Frank Forde historical – 1931
This short film from 1931 records the opening of Frank Thring Senior’s Efftee Film Studios and the screening of the first ‘all-Australian talkie program’. Forde expresses optimism about the future of Australian film making, with a positive impact on local jobs and the presentation of ‘typical Australian characters’ onscreen.
F
FW Thring Introduces the Stars advertisement – 1931
In this short introductory speech, Thring proudly announces to the audience that the film program they are about to see is completely Australian made.
G
George Wallace: Australia’s Premier Comedian historical – 1931
This screen test by seasoned vaudeville comic George Wallace led to roles in several feature films.
J
Jack O’Hagan: Vocalist Composer historical – 1931
Multi-talented artist Jack O’Hagan performs five songs for Frank Thring’s series of variety shorts, Efftee Entertainers, including 'The Road to Gundagai’.
M
Melbourne Chinese Orchestra Selections historical – 1931
Melbourne’s Chinese Orchestra perform at His Majesty’s Theatre as part of Frank Thring’s Efftee Entertainers.
Melbourne Today documentary – 1931
Probably the first ‘talkie’ documentary made about Melbourne – in 1931, films with sound were still relatively new in Australia.
The Mighty Conqueror documentary – 1931
Made only a year before Phar Lap’s death, The Mighty Conqueror boasts some of the last moving images of Phar Lap in Australia both on and off the track.
Miss Minnie Love in Impressions: Maurice Chevalier historical – c1931
Australian performer Minnie Love mimics the popular French comedian and singer Maurice Chevalier for Frank Thring’s Efftee Entertainers series.
R
Rinso Soap Powder: Then Came Happiness advertisement – 1931
Helen, worn out by the drudge of washing day, is introduced to Rinso by a girlfriend during a bridge night.
S
Siege of the South documentary – 1931
Frank Hurley documents Australia’s rich history of scientific exploration of the Australian Antarctic Territory.
Stan Ray and George Moon Jnr: Specialty Dancers historical – 1931
Entertainers Stan Ray and George Moon Jnr perform a tap dancing routine on one of the stages inside His Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne.
T
Thar She Blows documentary – c1931
A short documentary about a whale hunt, including the dissection of the carcass and the conversion of blubber to oil.
That’s Cricket documentary – c1931
A featurette directed by Ken G Hall promoting cricket as the game that 'helps unite the Empire’ and is important to Australian identity.
The Trail of the ‘Roo documentary – 1931
The Trail of the 'Roo is one of a handful of documentary featurettes made by the McDonagh sisters, pioneers of Australia’s early motion picture industry.
V
Victorian Police Radio Patrol sponsored film – c1931
This short dramatised scenario from 1931 demonstrates how wireless technology and morse radio clearly improve the ability of Victorian police to do their jobs.
