Plot
John Moon is a businessman interested in ghosts. He decides to spend the night in a barn hoping to see the ghost of the bushranger Sturdy who died there when betrayed to the police by his friend Rogan. He is visited by two lovers, Ralph and Joan, seeking to elope, and worried about reprisals from Joan's father. Rose enters with a gun then leaves after demanding that no one leaves until dawn. A man bursts in with the news that lunatics have escaped from the asylum and ten pounds per head is offered for their capture. A body appears which all are convinced is the ghost of Sturdy. In the morning, Sturdy, Rose and Rogan confront each other. Sturdy explains he was not trying to kill Rogan but to get his permission to marry Rose, who is Sturdy's sister, and end a family feud. Rogan says he was the body, having fallen from the loft while hiding from Sturdy. Dr Glass arrives to claim Ralph and Joan who are lunatics. Mr Moon's two friends arrive and claim they hired an actor to pretend to be a ghost for Moon. Two tramps are left by themselves with Ralph's wallet which turns out to be stuffed with newspapers.Fitzpatrick p 155Cast
*Donalda Warne as Joan *John Maitland as Ralph *Phil Smith as John Moon *Ed Brett *Production
The movie was part of Efftee's initial slate of productions. Donalda Warne (1912-??) made her cinema debut in the film. Keith Desmond was a vaudeville star.Banning
The film was banned in Victoria for children between six and sixteen on the grounds that the sound of the wind in the film as well as the title of the film made the film too scary for children. Thring appealed the decision and succeeded in having it overturned in November 1911.Release
The movie was released as a supporting feature for ''Diggers''.Critical
The ''Sun News'' said "There is some good acting by Phil Smith. The rest of the cast is fairly competent, but has little chance to distinguish itself." The ''Herald'' said "those who expected to receive an occult thrill and tingling of the blood from this picture were disappointed. The deepest mystery about it Is why the censor thought this mystery comedy should be banned." The ''Bulletin'' said the film "has some amusing situations, the photography is up-to-date and the acting, especially that of Phil Smith, is excellent." The trade paper ''Everyone's'' stated the film:Cannot befaulted on the score of sound and photography. There is, in fact, a surprising quality in that respect...The picture is an interesting and humorous story... Sound and lighting effects are excellent; and convincing performances are supplied by the entire cast. None of them looks ill at ease, or appears to suffer from camera scare.
Box office
The film and ''Diggers'' proved very popular at the box office.See also
*References
Notes
*Fitzpatrick, Peter, ''The Two Frank Thrings'', Monash University 2012External links