LONG JOHN SILVER
Australia, 1953, 106 minutes, Colour.
Robert Newton, Connie Gilchrist, Kit Taylor, Rod Taylor, Grant Taylor. Muriel Steinbeck.
Directed by Byron Haskin.
Long John Silver is a sequel to the Walt Disney classic Treasure Island. The same director, Byron Haskin, and the same star, Robert Newton as Long John Silver, came to Australia in 1954 in the hope of giving some life to industry in Australia. They made this film and twenty-six episodes of a series. The film was a mixed success. Robert Newton exaggerates his eye-rolling shaking characteristics - to entertaining but sometimes irritating effect. Connie Gilchrist is good as Purity Pinker. There is an Australian supporting cast including Kit Taylor as Jim Hawkins (originally played by Bobby Driscoll in the Disney film). The Australian cast is led by Rod Taylor as Israel Hands, Grant Taylor (Kit's father) and Muriel Steinbeck. The Sydney locations are used to good effect. The film's interiors were shot at Pagewood. The music was by American composer David Buttolph.
1. The atmosphere of Treasure Island. its status as a literary classic, family entertainment? The reintroduction of the characters, the plot? The value of a sequel - its relationship with the original (director, star)? The appeal of this film for all audiences?
2. Australian production: landscapes, the sea, studio work? The imported stars and the local cast? The musical score?
3. The use of pirate conventions: the inn. the carousing. Purity Pinker and her comedy routines, the clashes and fights? Mendoza and his crew -cut-throats etc.? The governor. the taking of the ships. the kidnapping of his daughter? The treasure on Treasure Island? Betrayals, fights? Enjoyable material., traditional material - how well done?
4. The governor, his wife,, daughter? Long John Silver's encounter with them and his cheek? English style? The setting up by Silver for the capture of Mendoza, the taking of the gold, getting Jim Hawkins? His bravado with the governor?
5. Mendoza, the antagonism towards Silver, the deals, the kidnapping, the taking of the ship, the betrayal, the crew's fighting? Long John Silver's deals -his friendship with him?
6. The relationship between Silver and Jim? Help, Silver's pretence? His wanting the treasure, wanting Jim's medallion? Clashing with him, making him feel bad? Jim's stubbornness? The visit and Jim's change of heart, giving him the medallion?
7. The background of Purity Pinker and her hopes for a wedding?
8. The voyage, the sea adventures, the island, Israel Hands and his blindness, shooting the crew, chasing Jim in the cave, the fight on the cliff top? The siege by Mendoza's men?
9. The happy return - everyone happy, especially with Silver escaping from the marriage ceremony?
10. Matinee pirate adventure? The Australian industry contribution?
