Southern Cross Feature Film Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production |
| Founded | 1917 in Adelaide, Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Raymond Longford, Sir David Gordon, Walter May Plank |
| Products | Silent films |
Southern Cross Feature Film Company was an Australian film production enterprise with a brief existence, recognized for creating some of the nation's most distinguished silent era movies, largely under the direction of Raymond Longford. Sir David Gordon played a significant role within the organization.
History
Established in Adelaide in 1917, Southern Cross aimed to produce eight films—five dramas and three comedies—within its first year, offering 100 shares at a value of £1 each. Although the company announced its inaugural film, The Black Opal, this project was never realized. The firm actively pursued adaptations based on Australian narratives.
Initially, the American filmmaker Walter May Plank was appointed as director but departed from Australia shortly thereafter, resulting in Raymond Longford assuming directorial responsibilities. Their debut feature, The Woman Suffers (1918), was well received and was succeeded by The Sentimental Bloke. By 1920, Southern Cross distributed a dividend amounting to one shilling per share.
Southern Cross invested in Carroll-Baker Australian Productions, which starred actor Snowy Baker, and held a majority interest (five-twelfths) in Southern Cross Picture Productions Ltd. Founded in 1920 with a capital of £37,600, this company included directors such as E. J. Carroll, Snowy Baker, and D. Gordon.
The company reached its zenith in 1921 with the acclaimed releases of The Sentimental Bloke and Ginger Mick. Nevertheless, by 1925, despite proposals like E. J. Carroll's plan to adapt C. J. Dennis's The Rose of Spadgers, Southern Cross declined to pursue further productions due to persistent financial setbacks caused by unrecovered expenses in Great Britain and the United States. It appears that Southern Cross Feature Film Company ceased operations soon after.
Select filmography
- The Woman Suffers (1918)
- Algie's Romance (1918) – provided facilities only
- The Sentimental Bloke (1919)
- Ginger Mick (1920)
- The Jackeroo of Coolabong (1920) – Southern Cross Picture Production
- Rudd's New Selection (1921) – Southern Cross Picture Production
- The Blue Mountains Mystery (1921) – Southern Cross Picture Production