Efftee Studios
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film and theatre production |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Founder | F.W. Thring |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Feature films, short films, theatrical productions, radio broadcasting (3XY) |
Efftee Studios was a pioneering Australian film and theatre production company established in 1930 by F.W. Thring. The studio's name, 'Efftee,' originated from Thring's initials 'FT'. Initially operating out of Melbourne, Efftee Films employed optical sound technology sourced from the United States.
History
Efftee Studios made history in 1931 by creating Australia's first commercially successful sound feature film, Diggers. During a productive five-year span, the studio generated nine feature films, more than 80 short films, and theatrical productions such as the musicals Collits' Inn (1933) and The Cedar Tree (1934). Notable collaborators involved in these projects were C. J. Dennis, George Wallace, and Frank Harvey.
In 1934, Thring halted the studio's activities to advocate for an Australian film quota, even threatening to move production to London if demands were unmet. Following this, Efftee shifted its base to Sydney to benefit from the New South Wales Cinematograph Films (Australian Quota) Act 1935.
Additionally, Efftee launched the Melbourne radio station 3XY, which commenced broadcasting on 9 September 1935.
In March 1936, Thring journeyed to Hollywood in search of scriptwriters and actors, returning three months later before his passing later that year.
F.W. Thring, the founder, was also the father of actor Frank Thring.
Features
- A Co-respondent's Course (1931)
- Diggers (1931)
- The Haunted Barn (1931)
- The Sentimental Bloke (1932)
- His Royal Highness (1932)
- Harmony Row (1933)
- A Ticket in Tatts (1934)
- Sheepmates (1934) – production ceased mid-filming
- The Streets of London (1934)
- Clara Gibbings (1934)
Non-Efftee features filmed at Efftee Studio
- Diggers in Blighty (1933)
- Waltzing Matilda (1933)
- Heritage (1935)
The 'Efftee Entertainers' Variety Shorts
- Will Cade and his Regent Theatre Orchestra performing selections from 'The Desert Song' (1931)
- Jack O'Hagan – Vocalist Composer (1931) featuring Jack O'Hagan
- Cecil Parkes' Strad Trio performing selections from their repertoire (1931)
- Athol Tier portraying Napoleon (1931)
- Keith Desmond delivering recitations (No. 1) (1931)
- Keith Desmond delivering recitations (No. 2) (1931)
- George Wallace, Australia's leading comedian (1931) featuring George Wallace
- Melody and Terpsichor (1931)
- Stan Ray and George Moon Jnr performing speciality dances (No. 1) (1931)
- Stan Ray and George Moon Jnr performing speciality dances (No. 2) (1931)
- Selections by Melbourne's Chinese Orchestra (1931)
- Minnie Love presenting impressions of famous artists (No. 1) (1931)
- Minnie Love presenting impressions of famous artists (No. 2) (1931)
- Minnie Love presenting impressions of famous artists (No. 3) (1931)
- The Sundowners – Harmony Quartette (No. 1) (1932)
- The Sundowners – Harmony Quartette (No. 2) (1932)
- Lou Vernon performing character songs (No. 1) (1932)
- Kathleen Goodall singing at the piano (No. 1) (1932)
- Kathleen Goodall singing at the piano (No. 2) (1932)
- Kathleen Goodall singing at the piano (No. 3) (1932)
- Peter Bornstein, renowned violinist (1932)
- George White performance (1932)
- Miss Ada Reeve – Comedienne performance No. 1(1932) featuring Ada Reeve
- Miss Ada Reeve – Comedienne performance No. 2’’(1932)
- ’’Miss Byrl Walkley, soprano’’(1932)
- ’’Somewhere South of Shanghai performed by Marshall Crosby’’(1932)
- ’’Neil McKay, Scottish comedian’’(1932) featuring Neil McKay
- ’’Williamson Imperial Grand Opera Company Orchestra – Overture from Carmen by Bizet’’(1932)
- ’’Williamson Imperial Grand Opera Company Orchestra – Overture from Gounod’s Faust’’(1932)
- ’’Williamson Imperial Grand Opera Company Orchestra – Selections from Rossini’s Barber of Seville’’(1932)
- ’’Signor Apollo Granforte with Williamson Imperial Grand Opera Company Orchestra’’(1932)
- ’’Lou Vernon performing character songs No. 2’’(1932)
Two-Reel Efftee Shorts
- ’’Oh, What a Night!’’(1932) – a 14-minute short starring George Wallace
- ’’In the Future’’(1933) – a 12-minute short
Theatre productions
- ’’Collit's Inn’’(1933)
- ’’The Beloved Vagabond’’(1934) – Melbourne staging
- ’’Mother of Pearl’’(1934) – Melbourne staging
Additionally, productions such as ’’Her Past’’, ’’Jolly Roger’’, ’’Children in Uniform’’, ’’S.S. Sunshine’’, ’’The Cedar Tree’’, ’’Crazy Nights Revue’’, ’’The Oojah Bird’’, ’’Rope’’, ’’Streets of London’’, and ’’Clara Gibbings’’ were mounted between 1933 and 1935; several were later adapted into films.
Unrealized projects
Efftee had plans to adapt titles including ’’Ginger Murdoch’’, ’’Collitt's Inn’’, ’’James! Don't Be a Fool’’, and John P. McLeod’s ’’Along the Road.’’ Collaborations with George Wallace included a project titled ’’A Sweepin' the Deep.’’ The studio reportedly secured rights for Norman Lindsay’s ’’Redheap.’’ Other uncompleted ventures comprised ’’Typhoon Treasure,’’ which was eventually produced by others, and a musical film version of ’’Robbery Under Arms.’’