Tall Timbers (film)

Cinesound Productions

Industry	Film production
Founded	1932
Headquarters	Australia
Key people	Ken G. Hall (director)
Products	Films, including Tall Timbers
Owner	Stuart F. Doyle (chairman until June 1937)

Tall Timbers is a 1937 action melodrama centered around the timber industry, directed by Ken G. Hall and featuring performances by Frank Leighton and Shirley Ann Richards. It is widely regarded as one of the finest Australian films from the 1930s, highlighting the craftsmanship of Hall and the team at Cinesound Productions.

Synopsis

The story opens at Palm Beach, where Jim Thornton, a former jackeroo and recent graduate from forestry school, is searching for employment in the timber sector. He saves Joan Burbridge from drowning; Joan is accompanied by Charles Blake, who works for her adoptive father, timber businessman Stephen Burbridge, and hopes to marry her.

Blake collaborates with entrepreneur Ludwig Rich in a scheme to take over Burbridge’s company, enlisting foreman Darley to assist. Although Blake initially rejects Thornton’s job application, Burbridge hires him as a ranger at Boundary Ridge. Burbridge reveals that Joan is his adopted daughter, her biological father Lloyd having passed away.

Burbridge competes against Rich in supplying timber and agrees that failure to deliver one million feet on schedule will force him to sell his business. Rich plans to exploit Darley in this plot; meanwhile, Blake secretly courts Darley’s sister Claire.

At Boundary Ridge, Thornton gains the confidence of the workers and replaces Darley as foreman after impressing Burbridge. He proposes organizing a timber drive to outdo Rich’s supply efforts. Claire confides in Joan about her relationship with Blake; Joan cunningly prompts Blake to admit it.

An attempted sabotage nearly causes a train accident. When agitators encourage workers to join the Timber Trust, Thornton confronts them and motivates the crew with a 10% bonus tied to the timber drive.

Sabotage persists against Burbridge’s operations, suspected to be Darley’s work though no evidence is found. Blake refuses to marry Claire despite her pregnancy; Darley threatens Blake but is silenced by blackmail. Claire informs Darley about her condition.

During a rainstorm, Thornton and Joan develop a bond; after Blake insults them and is expelled, they share a kiss. Thornton reveals he is Burbridge’s long-lost son, raised in New Zealand by his deceased mother. He withheld this information until evaluating Burbridge’s character and expresses deep respect. Joan announces their engagement to Burbridge.

Darley confronts Blake regarding Claire’s pregnancy; when Blake refuses marriage or compensation, Darley kills him. During the timber drive, Joan and Thornton narrowly avoid being crushed by falling trees that kill Darley. The film concludes with their wedding.

Cast

• Frank Leighton as Jim Thorton
• Shirley Ann Richards as Joan Burbridge
• Frank Harvey as Darley
• Campbell Copelin as Charles Blake
• Harvey Adams as Stephen Burbridge
• Aileen Britton as Claire Darley
• Ronald Whelan as Ludwig Rich
• Joe Valli as Scotty
• George Lloyd as Bill
• Letty Craydon as Rosanna
• W. Lane-Bayliff as Gavan
• Peter Dunstan as Robbie

Development

Since its establishment in 1932, Cinesound Productions had aspired to create a film focused on the timber industry. In 1935, plans were made to adapt William Hatfield’s Big Timber following Thoroughbred (1936), which was intended to star a Hollywood actor. However, the studio instead produced Orphans of the Wilderness and It Isn't Done.

Director Ken G. Hall eventually selected an original narrative penned by Frank Hurley, set within the timber sector and revised by Frank Harvey. Hall explained that the story was inspired by a timber driving method described by an acquaintance; he structured the screenplay by focusing on a dramatic climax first and then building backward. He also clarified that this script bore no relation to the 1926 film Tall Timber, which he had never viewed.

The movie shares thematic similarities with Hall's earlier work The Squatter's Daughter. The lead roles were assigned to established Cinesound actors Shirley Ann Richards and Frank Leighton; Aileen Britton was given a role created specifically for her.

Shooting

The special effects were overseen by George Kenyon, recruited from J. C. Williamson Ltd, who subsequently worked on every Cinesound production. After two failed attempts to capture a timber drive on location in Gloucester, Kenyon crafted an elaborate miniature replica within the studio, employing inventive methods.

During the shoot, Frank Leighton experienced a spider bite that led to illness and caused interruptions in the filming schedule.

Reception

This film was among the final projects completed at Cinesound while Stuart F. Doyle served as chairman, prior to his resignation in June 1937.

To support the film’s launch, a "Tall Timbers Ball" held in Sydney drew an audience of 1,200, featuring American actor Lloyd Hughes from Cinesound’s forthcoming movie Lovers and Luggers (1937). Following successful preview screenings for exhibitors, the film saw widespread release throughout Australia. Its debut in Brisbane at the Tivoli Theatre set new attendance records that had stood for four years and amassed over 35,000 paid viewers during its theatrical run.

Box office

Hall later reflected on the film’s melodramatic plot as being "weak," yet he commended the special effects work. The movie achieved strong commercial success both within Australia and overseas, notably in the British market where there was a demand for well-crafted secondary features. Hall observed steady sales of Cinesound titles in England, attributing this to their blend of action and humor.

Critical

Filmink lauded the film for its well-constructed storyline incorporating conflict, romance, humor, and vivid character development. It emphasized the film’s sophisticated approach to sexual themes, which was uncommon in contemporary Hollywood productions, presenting complex relationships without casting moral judgment.

External links

• Tall Timbers at Australian Screen Online
• Review of film at Variety
• Tall Timbers at Oz Movies