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The Sentimental Bloke turns 100

On 26 November 1918, the Southern Cross Feature Film Company held a
private show at the Wondergraph in Adelaide of The Sentimental Bloke.
Though filmed in Sydney, it was a South Australian production (as was author
C.J. Dennis, after all). Likeable Arthur Tauchert and loveable Lottie Lyell were
there, along with the "picturiser", Raymond Longford, and the later number
one cardholder of the ACS, the cinematographic artist, Arthur Higgins. *

Just look at that picture above. For us now, realisation is dawning that Lyell
was a lot more than an appealing face, though she meltingly did have that. As
Marilyn Dooley has researched, Lyell was a full production partner up to her
death in 1925 in 28 films made with the credited Longford. These days, the
highest honour in Australian cinema by AFI-AACTA carries both their names.

Will NFSA or AFI-AACTA or Screen Australia or SA Film Corp be noting the
centenary of the release that was delayed to late in 1919? Or NIDA or ADG ...?
Time will tell. Madman has just ceased issue of the double-disc DVD.

Some Adelaide people would like to screen on celluloid for our little centenary
late in this year 2018. Want to be there? Want to be in the loop (sorry)? Just
drop a line to filmart@dodo.com.au or phone 08 8267 5069.

David Donaldson
28 REEL DEALS June 2018