In 1906, Australia produced The Story of the Kelly Gang, claimed to be the world’s first commercial feature-length fiction film. Shot on location outside Melbourne, the film traces the life of the legendary Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly. The 1906 film is believed to have been about one hour in length. Only fragments, approximately 15 minutes survive, the majority of the cellulose nitrate film stock degrading. In 2006 with meticulous restoration work by the National Film & Sound Archive, nearly a quarter of the film was pieced together and digitally restored by Haghefilm preservation laboratories in Amsterdam. The film's narrative has been reconstructed based on the original footage and intertitles. Additional titles (based on text from original program booklet) and associated material has been inserted to provide a more complete sense of the original production. The film is of particular interest to the Society as it is alleged that some scenes were filmed in and around the Eltham district though not yet identified or confirmed.Digital file only MP4 00:31:52; 233MB (Reference only - not for public access)the story of the kelly gang, ned kelly, national fim & sound archive, charles tait, eltham

A rare program from the time when films were shown at the Athenaeum Theatre while Frank Talbot leased the theatre. The program has a managerial announcement from Talbot announcing the new policy: "under which the theatre will be devoted exclusively to English and Australian pictures". The company supplying the British films was called British Dominion Films Ltd. Talbot also stated: "It will be part of the managerial policy to screen such Australian films as may be available". The films were preceded by "The Herald" news reel and "The Daily Dozen at the Zoo". The theatre orchestra, playing before and during interval was conducted by Mr J Kost. The music included "Tales of Vienna Woods by Johann Strauss and selections from Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance". The program represents a time when films were shown at the Athenaeum Theatre. Records indicate that graphic entertainments started with magic lantern slides in the 1890s and continued with silent movies. The first full-feature film shown in Australia was "The Story of the Kelly Gang" in 1906 at the Athenaeum Theatre and the first talkie to be shown in Victoria, "The Jazz Singer" shown in 1928. Later when Hoyts took over the lease, Cinemascope films were exhibited completing a history of film shown at this one theatre. paper program; 10 pages; coloured front page.

Louise Blake purchased this for our collection because of the connection of this area with the filming location.Framed and under glass reproduction of the original poster of the film 'The Story of the Kelly Gang' (by biograph) at Anderson's Olympia Theatre cnr Cambell & Elizabeth Streets, opposite Central Railway Station (Sydney) commencing Saturday, Nov 26. Specially taken by Messrs Johnson & Gibson, Melbourne. An entirely new and exquisite pictorial representation of the Thrilling Story of the Kelleys'. Seven photos: captioned 1. Ned Kelly, 2. Glenrowan Hotel the Kelly's at bay, 3. The notorious Kelly Gang, 4. Police locked up at Jerilderie at their own , 5. Don Kelly & Steve Hart shoot each other, 6. The bank robbery at Euroa and 7. Dan Kelly shoots Sherrit the spy. Popular prices. JJ Miller Print Co off Post Office Place, Melbourne 21 11 10.illustrations, reproductions