2 State Library of Victoria News December 2000 - February 2001 3 Burke and Wills: Star-gazing in Terra Incognita the Arts Library he Burke and Wills expedition of 1860- In 1873 the Royal Society of Victoria, researchers, but never before in such an Movie News, published in Australia by the vibrant local scene on a regular (and 61 has become an Australian legend, which organised the expedition, placed its accessible form. the Hoyts cinema chain, only occasionally sometimes not so regular!) basis. But the big Tan epic of heroism or folly, depending records in the Melbourne Public Library. Burke and Wills: Terra Incognita also allowed an Australian actor such as Rod international stars are still shining brightly on who tells the story. The largest This was the basis of one of the State includes outstanding drawings of the Taylor to grace its cover (and he really and magazines such as Premiere, Film Comment expedition ever seen in this country, it set Library’s richest historical archives. Now a expedition by William Strutt. The drawings qualified as an international star anyway). and Variety are rarely in place on our current out from Melbourne in August 1860 to window has been opened onto these are from the collection of the Victorian More substantial national content could be periodicals rack. Star-gazing remains a cross the continent from southern to records through the Library’s latest online Parliamentary Library and some have never found in industry-based magazines such as popular pursuit in the Arts Library and our northern shore for the first time. Within exhibition Burke and Wills: Terra Incognita. been reproduced until now. Film Weekly that provided invaluable burgeoning Film Studies collection provides months, through bad luck, bad planning Visitors to the Web site will be able to The Web site at www.slv.vic.gov.au/slv/ information on the business of the Australian ample opportunity to indulge in a passion and mismanagement, it was reduced to a read original journals and letters – some exhibitions/burkeandwills will be a rich cinema, including box office statistics and for this most popular branch of the party of four men, travelling on foot never before published – and view objects resource for anyone interested in the story local and international production news. performing arts. through northern Australia and subsisting on and artworks associated with the of Burke and Wills, and a gateway for those Then, of course, fans could go directly the dried flesh of their pack animals. The expedition, including a Ludwig Becker wishing to explore the State Library’s to the source with magazines such as The For further information contact the Arts story of how Burke and Wills returned to drawing only recently acquired by the holdings of records of the expedition. Lion’s Roar, a lavish publication put out by Library on 9669 9834. their base camp, after more than four months Library. The information in these records, MGM Studios as a means of presenting away, only to miss their relief party by hours, held in the Library’s Australian Manuscripts Gerard Hayes their films and stars in tailor-made Dermot McCaul can still send a shudder down the spine. Collection, has always been available to Librarian, Manuscripts packaging. Or, to prove that not all films Arts Collection Librarian h Jerry, don’t let’s ask for the moon; we were made in Hollywood, the Picture Show have the stars.’ These immortal words Annual from England made sure that British ‘O uttered by Bette Davis at the end of films and celebrities rubbed shoulders with ‘First Camp from Duroadoo’ Now Voyager pretty well sum up the focus of their American counterparts within its Previously unknown to historians of the Australian film magazines from the 1940s, lavishly illustrated pages - even if the Burke and Wills expedition, this drawing by 50s and 60s. Lots and lots of stars, principally covers more often than not gave pride of expedition artist Ludwig Becker emerged from of the Hollywood variety, with the moon place to the latest Hollywood release. a Melbourne private collection in August (being the Australian film industry if we Which all goes to show that the more 2000, and was acquired at auction by the want to extend the metaphor) in almost things change the more they stay the same. State Library. It shows the events of 16 total eclipse. Clearly Australian audiences, Certainly the Australian film industry has February 1861: Burke and Wills have moved like the great Bette, were happy with the come out of its eclipse and magazines such far ahead, and are in fact already on their stars. And the stars were mainly American. as Cinema Papers and Encore present news of way back from the Gulf of Carpentaria. Magazines such as Adam and Eve, Photoplay William Wright, the lead rider of the pair in and Movie News, whilst published locally, were the middle distance, is struggling to bring essentially local reprintings of American stores and supplies up to the base camp at promotional material highlighting the latest Cooper’s Creek. Here he sets out to scout studio product, alongside puff-pieces on the for water, while Becker remains behind to great, the not-so-great and the wannabes guard the baggage. of Hollywood. ‘Fernando Lamas – Hero or ‘First Camp from Duroadoo ‘was acquired with Heel?’ asks Movie Life magazine. ‘No More State Library of Victoria bequest funds and the Murders for Me’ says Susan Hayward in support of the Library Foundation. New Screen News, which also confronts us with ‘The Dilemma of Sandra Dee’.