Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

All titles produced in 1938

13 titles

A

Aeroplane Jelly Song advertisement – 1938

The most famous recording of the ‘I Like Aeroplane Jelly’ jingle.

Australia’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations, Sydney home movie – 1938

Interestingly, the 26 January 1938 parade celebrating 150 years since the arrival of the First Fleet does not reflect Australia’s convict history.

Australia Today – Customs Officers Fight Against Drugs newsreel – 1938

Stories in this Australia Today newsreel cover topics like illegal drug importation and crime syndicates; and SP bookmaking and gambling.

Australia Today – Lucky Strike at Larkinville, WA and other segments newsreel – 1938

Segments in this newsreel cover gold prospecting in Western Australia; deadly Australian snakes; and proposals for the extension of pub drinking hours.

B

The Broken Melody feature film – 1938

A film with music rather than a musical, The Broken Melody is one of the few films of the 1930s that tries to depict the Depression’s effect on real people.

C

Captain Cook’s Cottage documentary – 1938

Russell Grimwade paid £800 for the family home of Captain Cook and transported it from Yorkshire to Victoria.

D

Dad and Dave Come to Town feature film – 1938

The question this fish-out-of-water comedy is really asking is whether Australians have the confidence to be modern in the context of the wider world of 1938.

F

Follow the Sun documentary – 1938

Pioneer filmmaker Frank Hurley is best known for documenting wartime and adventure but he also made travelogues like this one.

G

The Growing Child sponsored film – 1938

What has changed in the last 70 years is how the public health message is delivered. Rather than highlight dire consequences, this short film positively reinforces correct behaviour.

L

Let George Do It feature film – 1938

Although reliant on the comic sketches Wallace made famous in his vaudeville act, the film is pushed along by the thrilling outdoor action sequences Ken Hall knew how to direct.

M

The Maryborough Railway Employees’ Picnic historical – 1938

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, thousands of children and their families would attend the Maryborough Railway’s annual employees’ picnic.

Murray-Will, Ewan: Ballets Russes, Hélène Kirsova’s Wedding home movie – 1938

Dr Murray-Will befriended dancers from the touring Ballets Russes in the 1930s and filmed the wedding of ballerina Hélène Kirsova to the Danish Vice-Consul.

N

A Nation is Built documentary – 1938

This sprawling and patriotic documentary uses actuality footage, historical re-enactments, fictionalised scenes and propaganda to chronicle Australia’s development and progress as a nation.