Rare Australian poster - Australia Calls!
in Australian
I recently acquired this rare poster. I think it might be a partial 3 sheet as it measures approx 40" x 60" and I am guessing that it might be for Raymond Longfords 1923 film Australia Calls but very difficult to be sure. I would be interested in everyone's thoughts about it.
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Initially I had though it may possibly be the 1924 film Australia Calls also. I have since then become less convinced this may be the case.
Later on today I will share my thinking regarding this poster as to why ii may or not be this film.
Some history regarding Australia Calls (1923) is that the film was commissioned by the Australian government with the plan for it to be shown in the U.K. as a docodrama film aimed to attract new immigration to Australia. The film was exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition in Wembley Park London in 1924. The film prior to this was exhibited in some Australian cinemas prior to this.
My initial thoughts were thinking that the poster may have been printed for the 1923 film Australia calls were due to the lack of credits on the poster.
Later on after reading the synopsis of the film I though the poster's rural images didn't match the outlined story. I also think after looking at the artwork from other limited available film posters from around 1923 that the quality of the artwork on the poster in question is more in the style of a later period of time.
These are my thoughts only regarding the poster. Who knows if the poster was printed for Australia calls, but as John mentioned, we can only guess if this was so.
Some additional thoughts
Firstly, the lack of credits on the poster is most likely because the bottom section of the 3 sheet is missing.
Secondly, there is a review on imdb from someone who saw parts of the film and he / she says:
This simplistic docudrama concerned itself with the life and times of one Ernest Idiens, a "New Australian" farmer in New South Wales. The film showed Ernest in his daily tasks as he went about his livelihood in a new country.
That seems to tie in keeping with the artwork on the poster - an immigrant farmer going about his new tasks.
It will be difficult to fully confirm the origin of the poster but I think there is a chance that it could be from Australia Calls (1923)
The poster gives me mixed messages as to why include the milking of the cow, the billy, and all the mainly featured Australian animals. Was this perhaps to appear more likely to attract attention than to show images of sheep and wheat?
Ernest married his English girlfriend in Australia so is the image of the couple on the poster meaning to be them perhaps.
You believe John that the poster is two thirds of a three sheet with the bottom section missing. if this happens to be the case why then is there a white border on the bottom of the poster?
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Allowing then for poetic licence being applied, this poster certainly would qualify for having been one designed for the.1923 Australia Calls film.
I find it odd though that a rabbit, an imported pest is featured, but no kangaroo image is anywhere to be seen.
(Trove 1923 article )