Page 5 - CR_01_Printer

CENTENARY OF CINEMA

On June the 8th, 1995, Australia Post issued five stamps to commemorate the Centenary of
Cinema, which is being celebrated internationally in 1995.

Film technology arrived in Australia in 1894 and the first films date from 1896. The first screening
of a motion picture film to a theatre audience took place at Harry Rickards' Melbourne Opera
House in 1896.

The early productions included The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906) and the Eureka Stockade
(1907). By 1913 Australian film production had declined, fluctuating thereafter until the 1970's
when government finance was provided for local film-makers.

The Designs
The stamps were designed by John Spatchurst of Spatchurst Design Associates, Sydney, and
incorporate a still from each film with lettering from the original posters.

The Story of the Kelly Gang
The story of the Kelly Gang was hailed as the first continuous narrative film of any length. It
presented highlights from the bushranging days of the Kelly brothers and portrayed the outlaws
as heroes. The film was produced by John and Nevin Tait, Millard Johnson and William Gibson,
and was directed by Charles Tait. Only fragments of the film remain.

On Our Selection
Cinesound's first sound feature. On Our Selection was directed by Ken G. Hall in 1932. Bert
Bailey played Dad in the film, and the Australian characters and setting gave it enormous appeal.
More Dad and Dave films followed, all directed by Hall.

Jedda
Jedda, directed by Charles Chauvel and released in 1955, was the first narrative colour feature
made by an Australian company. The theme of the film is the clash of European and Aboriginal
cultures. Robert Tudawali from Melville Island and Ngarla Kunoth, an Arunta girl, were the lead
characters. Only three professional actors were used for the film.

Picnic at Hanging Rock
Picnic at Hanging Rock is one of the films that marked the revival of the Australian film industry in
the 1970's. An immediate commercial and critical success, the film won acclaim at Cannes and
launched Peter Weir as a major film director.

Strictly Ballroom
The romantic comedy, Strictly Ballroom, is one of several Australian film industry successes of the
1990's. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, Strictly Ballroom was released in 1992 and was an outstand-
ing success.

Editors Note:

The above is a direct reprint lifted straight from the current June-July 1995 edition of the Australia
Post "Australian Stamp Bulletin".

First Day Covers and a special stamp pack are available at Post Offices and Post Shops which
cater for collectors.

The ones listed for Victoria in this bulletin are: Melbourne GPO, Bentleigh, Camberwell,
Dandenong, Doncaster, Frankston, Niddrie, Ringwood, Rosanna, Southland, The Glen, Ballarat,
Bendigo, Geelong, Morwell, Shepparton and Wangaratta Post Offices and Post Shops.

5