The Sentimental Bloke

Clip 2: ‘A ding-dong row’

3 min 8 sec

Taken from the feature The Sentimental Bloke (1919)

Original title classification not known – this clip chosen to be PG

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Please note: this clip is silent

Curator’s clip description

Bill (Arthur Tauchert) is upset when Doreen (Lottie Lyell) arrives to meet him, followed by ‘the stror ‘at coot’ – a rival for her affections (Harry Young, wearing the straw hat). Bill sends him packing with strong words, which causes an argument with Doreen. He has made a vow never to drink or fight again, and now broken it. They part, with angry words.

Curator’s notes

Interesting for the way that Longford uses effective close-ups, and realistic action. Bill’s anger and masculine aggression are given weight, even as they are used effectively for comedy. His bewilderment, when Doreen defends the ‘coot’, requires a closer shot, and an equally close-up one for her reaction. Note also the lovely shot with Lyell between the two warring heads. Longford by 1919 was in command of a full gamut of techniques that had not long been invented.

Paul Byrnes, curator

australian screen