The Pictures that moved: Australian cinema 1896-1920

Episode number 1 of Series “History of Australian Cinema Series”. Show the intense activity in the Australian film industry from the first screening at the Melbourne Opera House in 1896 to the decline of the industry in the early 1920’s. Extracts from productions of particular interest are shown, including “Soldiers of the cross”, “Living Hawthorn”, “The Story of the Kelly gang”, “A Girl of the bush”, “On our selection” and “The Sentimental bloke”, with stills, contemporary press reports and interviews. Shows the technical advances gained, and the exhibition of the national character in a wide range of films. Shows the running of the first filmed Melbourne Cup in 1896 and a finals game of VFL at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between South Melbourne and Carlton.