His Royal Highness (35mm)

His Royal Highness (35mm)

Sat
4
Sat 4 Apr 2:00 PM

Arc Cinema
Allocated Seating
April
Sat 4 Apr

1932 | 35mm | AUS | D: F.W. Thring

George Wallace shows his comedic genius in this early Australian musical comedy, written by the equally talented author, poet and journalist C.J. Dennis. The story follows Tommy Dodds (Wallace), a humble stagehand with a crush on Molly.

Tommy is knocked unconscious and dreams he is the king of Betonia, scandalising the court by gambling with footmen and teaching his Prime Minister to roller skate. Playing on themes of class mobility and performance, His Royal Highness blends song, humour and theatrical staging. As a product of Australia’s brief early sound-film boom, it offers both light entertainment and insight into the nation’s cinematic ambitions during the Depression era.

‘A rare surviving example of Australia’s early attempts to match Hollywood glamour on local terms. - Graham Shirley, Australian Cinema

Presented in partnership with Friends of the NFSA 
Friends of the NFSA members will introduce the intriguing collection backstory of this title prior to the screening and be available for a Q&A afterwards. 


Presented on 35mm film prints from the NFSA collection.

April
Sat 4 Apr

Arc Cinema

1 McCoy Circuit Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601