The Breaking of the Drought | 1920 | Drama

Title: The Breaking of the Drought | 1920 | Drama Director: Franklyn Barrett Studio: Golden Wattle Film Syndicate Starring: Trilby Clark, Dunstan Webb, Charles Beetham, Rawdon Blandford, Marie La Varre, John Faulkner Based on: 1902 play by Bland Holt and Arthur Shirley Release Date: June 19, 1920 Runtime: 87 Format: Silent, black-and-white; 6 reels; English intertitles Country: Australia Language: Silent Genres: Drama, Silent --- Summary: Set against a devastating outback drought, the film follows the Galloway family of Wallaby Station as financial ruin forces them from their property. In Sydney, they discover that son Gilbert has fallen under the sway of a conman and a vamp, leading to embezzlement and disgrace. As tragedy and scandal mount, Marjorie’s suitor Tom Wattleby fights to redeem Gilbert during a raging bushfire. With the breaking of the drought, the family’s fortunes and moral order are restored, underscoring themes of rural resilience, familial loyalty, and redemption. --- Background: Adapted from the popular 1902 stage play by Bland Holt and Arthur Shirley, the production began filming in December 1919 with location work around Narrabri and Moree and interiors staged at Sydney’s Theatre Royal. An additional water-ballet and diving sequence was filmed near Sydney and is missing from most surviving prints. The film was released in Australia on June 19, 1920. --- Trivia: A New South Wales parliamentarian raised concerns that the film’s depictions of drought might harm Australia’s reputation abroad, prompting official scrutiny of its export. The film was long considered lost until several cans were discovered under a house in Hornsby in 1976. Lead actress Trilby Clark subsequently moved to the United States, where she pursued further stage and screen work. Director Franklyn Barrett also served as the film’s cinematographer. The production company was the Golden Wattle Film Syndicate, formed to back Australian features in the silent era. --- Hashtags: TheBreakingOfTheDrought 1920 SilentFilm AustralianCinema FranklynBarrett PublicDomain SilentDrama AustralianFilm