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The Silence of Dean Maitland (1934 film)

From Alfawiki
The Silence of Dean Maitland
Company typeFilm
IndustryMotion picture
Founded1934
FounderKen G. Hall (director)
ProductsFilm
ParentCinesound Productions

The Silence of Dean Maitland is a 1934 Australian motion picture directed by Ken G. Hall, adapted from the 1886 novel by Maxwell Gray. It ranked among the top-grossing Australian films during the 1930s, produced on a budget of £10,132 and generating £33,000 in Australia alongside £40,000 in the United Kingdom.

Plot

In a small coastal community, clergyman Cyril Maitland impregnates Alma Lee while engaged to another woman. Following a confrontation initiated by Alma’s father, Ben, who subsequently falls and dies, Maitland’s friend Dr. Henry Everard is unjustly sentenced to twenty years in prison. Meanwhile, Maitland's ecclesiastical career continues to flourish.

Cast

Development

The screenplay was adapted from a stage play based on Maxwell Gray’s well-known novel, which had previously been filmed in 1914. The theatrical rights were held by Joe Lippmann, an associate of Stuart F. Doyle. After attending a performance by the Rockdale Amateur Society, Hall recognized the play’s robust narrative despite its occasional comedic moments. He commissioned ABC radio writer Edmund Barclay and his collaborator Gayne Dexter to transform it into a film script.

Casting

Originally planned as Cinesound’s successor to On Our Selection, casting difficulties for the principal roles led Hall to prioritize producing The Squatter's Daughter first. Eventually, English actors John Longden and Charlotte Francis, touring Australia with a theatrical production, were selected for lead roles. Jocelyn Howarth, recognized for her performance in The Squatter's Daughter, was cast in a supporting capacity. Longden commanded a comparatively high salary of £60 per week for his work in Australian cinema.

Shooting

Principal photography spanned ten weeks and was conducted on location in Camden as well as at Cinesound’s studio facilities in Bondi.

Censorship issues

Ken G. Hall faced challenges from censors over scenes featuring Charlotte Francis swimming and seducing the clergyman character. Cinesound successfully appealed to preserve these sequences; however, a brief shot showing Alma’s towel slipping while she changed was removed.

Box office

Premiered alongside the variety short Cinesound Varieties, the film enjoyed significant popularity domestically and secured distribution in the United Kingdom. Hall observed that box office earnings in England surpassed those achieved in Australia.

By late 1934, The Silence of Dean Maitland had accumulated approximately £22,000 at the Australian box office with profits around £4,300; by 1952, Hall reported total domestic gross nearing £50,000. The film remained in circulation within cinemas until at least 1940.

Critical reception

In the 1935 Commonwealth Government Film Competition, the film earned second place along with a £1,250 prize; Heritage took first place. Judges commended its compelling drama, competent continuity editing, effective musical score, and appealing outdoor cinematography but criticized elements of the narrative for being melodramatic and containing implausible plot points.

Following this production, Cinesound initially intended to adapt Robbery Under Arms, but due to uncertainties surrounding restrictions on bushranger films, they instead proceeded with Strike Me Lucky (1934).

External links

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