Paulette McDangh, born on June 11th, 1901, collaborated alongside sisters Isabel and Phyllis to create films. They were business partners, working together in the Austrailian film industry during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Paulette, the youngest of the three sisters, was the writer and director of all of their films. Phyllis acted as publisher and promoter, while Isabel thrived as actress. Growing up in an upper middle class neighborhood, their home was a lavish back drop for most of their films, filled with antique furniture and rich colors. [1]
Their first silent film, Those Who Love (1926), was funded privately by their family. Paulette took over the position as directing the screenplay when creative differences with P.J. Ramster broke out. After this risky attempt, the work paid off as the publication, Everyone’s, gave them a rave review.[2] To quote, the article stated that,
The result is a dazzling triumph and which is said to be the best Austrailian film that has yet graced the screen. A Sydney girl whose Histrionic ability is remarkable. Her splendid performance ranks with some of the best characterizations ever given to the screen by the world’s greatest stars.”
Along with Those Who Love (1926), other silent films created by the McDanagh sisters included The Far Paradise (1928), and The Cheaters (1930). (2) The following two films were able to be produced because of the success of Those Who Love. The Far Paradise was also considered a box office hit because of its enormous success and acclaimed fine art techniques. These films of theirs were inspired and influenced not just by Australian film, but also Hollywood melodrama and German expressionism. The melodramatic influences allow for overacting on Isabel’s part while Phyllis and Paulette were able to create longer screen time for her to perform on her own. Isabel acted as a more interesting heroine than most films of its time. Paulette as director, had Isabel acting in different situations such as breaking and entering, cracking safes, and even in the arms of a lover. During this time period it was outside of the norm to show a woman on screen performing those acts, but this gave their silent films depth and a following. Despite the small budget, the sisters, and especially Paulette, were able to create society melodramas or romance, sacrifice, and parental opposition. [3]
After Isabel and Phyllis retired from the film industry for various reasons, Paulette found it difficult to continue her work alone despite her effort to stick it out. In 1934 she took a job to work on a romantic epic based on the life of a reverend John Flynn. Many difficulties such as lacking a necessary budget to fund the film and having no one to act or produce the film, Paulette was forced to drop the job. With the start of her film career ending, she continued to live with her younger siblings. Paulette died in Sydney on August 30th, 1978.[4]
Paulette McDonagh as Director, McDonagh Sisters as Producers (McDonagh Productions)
The Trail of the Roo. Dir. Paulette McDonagh, sc. Kenneth Slessor (McDonagh Productions, Australia, 1931) cas.: Cast: John Harper, George Bruce, sd., b&w, 35mm. Archive: AUC.
Paulette McDonagh as Director
The Mighty Conqueror. Dir Paulette McDonagh. (Neville Macken Productions, Australia, 1931). cas: Jimmy E. Pike, Harry Telford, Tommy Woodcock, sd.,
b&w, 35mm, 16mm. Archive: AUC[5]
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- ^ "The McDonagh Sisters – Women Film Pioneers Project". wfpp.cdrs.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
- ^ "The McDonagh Sisters – Women Film Pioneers Project". wfpp.cdrs.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
- ^ Wright, Andrée. McDonagh, Paulette de Vere (1901–1978). Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
- ^ Wright, Andrée. McDonagh, Paulette de Vere (1901–1978). Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
- ^ "The McDonagh Sisters – Women Film Pioneers Project". wfpp.cdrs.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-09.