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E.J. and Dan Carroll

E.J. (1868-1931 and Dan (1886-1959) Carroll were film distributors who also went into production. E.J. acquired the rights to the world's first feature film, The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906), and with this highly successful start was able to build up a chain of theatres.

The brothers' first venture into production was The Lure of the Bush (Claude Fleming, 1918), which was also the beginning, in 1919, of an association with the star of the film, 'Snowy' Baker, in production - as Carroll-Baker Australian Productions. With the assistance of some American staff, they made three features, including The Man from Kangaroo (Wilfred Lucas, 1920).

They were also in production with Langford and Lyell, having earlier distributed their film The Sentimental Bloke (Raymond Longford, 1919) and made three films with them, including On Our Selection (Raymond Longford, 1920).

They built in 1924 the magnificent Prince Edward Theatre, Sydney, which was demolished in 1964.


ADB entry


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