Spur of the Moment (film)

Spur of the Moment is a 1931 Australian film directed by A. R. Harwood. It was one of the first Australian talking movies.[1]

Spur of the Moment
Directed byA. R. Harwood
Written byA. R. Harwood
Based onstory by Betty Davies
Produced byA. R. Harwood
StarringJames Alexander
CinematographyLeslie McCallum
Ed Eintle
Production
company
A. R. Harwood Talkie Productions
Release date
26 September 1931
Running time
50 mins
CountryAustralia

Plot

A wealthy socialite, Claire Rutherford (Beatrice Touzeau), visits her former lover, Tony Iredale (James Alexander), one night. The next day Tony is arrested for the murder of a bookmaker the night before. In order to protect Claire's reputation, Tony remains silent. However a Scotland Yard detective in Melbourne on holiday (William Green) manages to trap the killer.[2]

Production

Harwood had attempted to make Australia's first talking movie, Out of the Shadows in 1931 but been unable to complete it. However he managed to secure backing from a Melbourne businessman to fund two low-budget films, this and Isle of Intrigue (1931) made in an old factory at 61 Stanley St West Melbourne which had been converted into a sound studio.[3][4]

The story was written by Melbourne playwright Betty Roland using the name "Betty Davies".[5][6] Filming began in June 1931 after a rehearsal period.[7]

Reception

A contemporary review said the script "leaves several matters unexplained, and the eventual confession of the murderer is scarcely convincing... [it] depends almost entirely upon dialogue, and scarcely at all upon action."[2]

The cast included Helene Best, daughter of Australian politician, Sir Robert Best.[8]

Cast
  • James Alexander as Anthony Iredale
  • William Green as Inspector Perry
  • Guy Hastings as Chief of C.I.B.
  • Darcy Kelway as Joe
  • Syd Hollister as Alf
  • Fred Patey as Pop
  • Charles Bradley as Rutherford
  • William Ralston as Burton
  • Norman Balmer as Noble
  • Russell Cramer as Detective
  • Herb Moylan as Clerk of Courts
  • Helene Best

References
  1. "AUSTRALIAN TALKIES". The West Australian. Perth. 16 October 1931. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. "CINEMA NOTES". The Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 6 November 1931. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "AUSTRALIA WEEK AT LYCEUM". The Brisbane Courier. 18 November 1931. p. 20. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "No. 1. Our Chances for World Markets". Table Talk. Melbourne. 17 August 1933. p. 7. Retrieved 16 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "A WOMAN'S LETTER". The Cairns Post. Qld. 15 October 1931. p. 8. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998 p154
  7. "THE PICTURES". The Argus. Melbourne. 16 June 1931. p. 13. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "CINEMA NOTES". The Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 19 June 1931. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2012 – via National Library of Australia.


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