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"No, it was not Errol Flynn"

Putting J.P. McGowan on stage in Adelaide

Not to be left behind in the rage for musicalising or mangling classic films,
John J. McGowan and David Donaldson gave themselves to the world on stage
as McGowan's Mob in The Adelaide Fringe 2018 to play the story of Hollywood's
first Australian. Pianist Richie Gun joined up -- and the audiences cheered the
professor. Two performances were near as matters to full, expenses were
covered, The Adelaide Review went ecstatic, some people even bought the
biography.
Two clips from , three clips from 1930s westerns, a dozen
colorful glass slides, various photos from the book were all brought into an
interactive digital program by Wayne Bertram. The opening was a superb
portrait of McGowan, probably from his Signal producer days, of which the
original print has now been lodged with National Film and Sound Archive.
Ursula McGowan was everywhere keeping tabs and pressing the right keys.

Below: Helen Holmes starred alongside J.P. McGowan The climax was the first
presentation since it was
on screen in Adelaide in
September 1914 of The
Conductor's Courtship.
Whereas every known ap-
pearance by McGowan
has been in dour roles like
villain or sheriff or over-
oiled stoker, here was a
romantic rail comedy with
the two playing out like
what was a real-life ro-
mance. J.P.'s direction is
skilful and strikingly mod-
ern for its time. The audi-
ence loved Helen, and
why not…

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