Lincoln-Cass Films
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture production |
| Founded | July 1913 |
| Founder | Henry Dean Stewart, William Foster Dawson, William Y. M'Kenzie |
| Fate | Ceased operations after 1914 fire; studio acquired by J. C. Williamson Ltd in 1915 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Key people | W. J. Lincoln, Godfrey Cass, H. Dean Stewart (managing director), Charles Wheeler (stage manager and scriptwriter), Maurice Bertel (cinematographer) |
| Products | Films |
Lincoln Cass Films was an Australian motion picture production enterprise with a brief operational period.
History
Established in July 1913, the company commenced with an authorised capital of £4,000 divided into £1 shares. The initial board of directors comprised Henry Dean Stewart, William Foster Dawson, and William Y. M'Kenzie.
The leading creative figures included W. J. Lincoln and Godfrey Cass, while H. Dean Stewart held the position of managing director. Charles Wheeler contributed as both stage manager and scriptwriter, and Maurice Bertel took on cinematography duties. The firm engaged actors from Melbourne’s theatre scene alongside "Australian bush riders" and occasionally presented live theatre productions.
Filming occurred within a glass-ceiling studio located on Cole Street in Elsternwick, Melbourne, complemented by on-site shoots around the Healesville area. From July through October 1913, the company completed eight feature films; presently, only The Sick Stockrider remains extant.
The regular ensemble featured performers such as Rod Redgrave, Godfrey Cass, Tom Cannon, George Bryant, Ward Lyons, Charlie Wheeler, and Belle Bryant. Godfrey Cass remarked that despite doubts expressed by American industry professionals, their productions equalled international serials in quality but did not achieve enduring commercial success.
Their business approach emphasized crafting superior Australian films designed to attract audiences both locally and abroad. The objective was to highlight Australia's scenic landscapes beyond conventional bushranger narratives, balancing artistic merit with popular appeal.
The Sick Stockrider premiered first, succeeded by Moondyne. By October 1913, the company was adapting Australian poetry and prose into film, aiming to captivate viewers less inclined toward traditional literary forms.
Distribution obstacles emerged due to block booking policies imposed by dominant companies like Australasian Films, which restricted Lincoln Cass’s penetration into major markets such as Sydney until they established their own distribution exchange. In 1914, a fire damaged their Melbourne premises. Operations ceased shortly thereafter; in 1915 their studio facilities were acquired by J. C. Williamson Ltd.
Filmography
- The Sick Stockrider (August 1913)
- Moondyne (1 September 1913)
- The Remittance Man (15 September 1913)
- Transported (29 September 1913)
- The Road to Ruin (13 October 1913)
- The Reprieve (3 November 1913)
- The Crisis (8 December 1913)
- The Wreck (filmed 1913, released 21 June 1915)