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Clara Gibbings is a 1934 Australian film directed by F.W. Thring about the owner of a London pub who discovers she is the daughter of an earl. It was a vehicle for stage star Dorothy Brunton.Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998 p166
It was based on a 1928 English play which had originally been called The Broken Line. The original London production starred Violet Lorraine. The Observer declared it was "not an admirable play." The Guardian said "Miss Lorraine acts with the utmost effect."
The play was produced on Broadway under the title of Lady Clara starring Florence Nash. Broadway listing of Lady Clara at IBDB Variety wrote the play "won't ring any fire alarms here. For most part of Its three acts it's a stitlted affair, relieved only by the wisecracks of Clara Gibbings."
Many of the cast in the stage play of Clara Gibbings would reprise their roles in the film version. The director was Gregan MacMahon.
One of the cast, Beatrice Day, collapsed during the dress rehearsal and died later in hospital. 'MISS BEATRICE DAY. Death of Actress', The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 5 September 1933 p 7 She was replaced by Nellie Mortyne.
The Age called Thring's stage production "an unqualified success". The Bulletin wrote "there is rippling comedy in the play, together with sound drama and genial satire of war-time aristocratic London... The keynote of the McMahon production was the general excellence of the characterisation of the local players." The Australasian said the play "won the instantaneous appreciation it deserves."
The film was shot at Efftee's St Kilda studios in March 1934.
Although Thring was credited as director, it is likely Frank Harvey did most of the actual direction on set.Fitzpatrick p 222 A scene set at Lords was shot at St Kilda's Oval.
Even before shooting, Thring announced he would close the studios after making the movie due to difficulties in getting his product released outside Melbourne.
Filming finished by April. Thring did make another film before shutting down the studio, The Streets of London (1934), and announced plans to revive production, but died before he was able to.
"I took one look at myself in the 'rushes' – and looked away", admitted Brunton. "I simply could not bear to see myself any more. I thought I looked terrible."
September and released in Melbourne at the Mayfair Cinema on 13 October where it was reported as "recording excellent business"."Clara Gibbings at Hit at Mel Mayfair", Everyone's 24 October 1934 p 30 Reviewers commented on the fact it was basically a filmed play. Filmink noted the film "seems to have been one of those movies that was simply received with profound indifference."
It won third prize (amounting to £750) in a competition held by the Commonwealth government in 1935. 'AUSTRALIAN FILMS. NATIONAL COMPETITIONS. "HERITAGE" FIRST CHOICE', Cairns Post Friday 8 March 1935 p 8 The judges said the film "contained sparkling dialogue supported by competent acting, although the adaptation of the English play on which it was based was inadequate." However, as of 1936 the film had not been seen on Sydney screens. '"CLARA GIBBINGS" Gazetted as Quota Film', The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 6 June 1936 p 12 It was released in England but received poor reviews.
Peter Fitzpatrick, biographer of Thring, later described the movie as looking "like a run-of-the-mill British B-picture, and that is at once a badge of proficiency and a mark of its remoteness from everything that Effree stood for."Fitzpatrick p 223
Filmink wrote" The play itself isn’t that crash hot, a sort of theatrical “programmer” that they made back in the day... and your enjoyment of it will probably depend on how much you engage with Dorothy Brunton as a star... We will say, though, that the love story between the characters of Brunton and Copelin is quite well done." The same magazine argued the film was influential on a later Australian film written by Harvey It Isn't Done.
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