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Kev Franzi’s Motion Picture Scrapbook

The people and cameras that “Salvation -
captured our 20th Century
and the Cinema”

The role played by the Salvation Army in the a small group of men in the last decade of the
th
early history of cinema in Australia seems to 19 Century. Their pioneering efforts were to
have been overlooked by many historians, it have a dramatic effect in establishing an
needs to be told as part of Australia’s rich Australian film Industry. This small group of
cinema history. men were officers in the Salvation Army, and
this briefly is their story.
My knowledge of the story is based heavily on
the research and writing of others, especially
the outstanding work of my friend and Cinema
Historian. Chris Long of Melbourne. (Full
acknowledgement is given at the end of the article).
This is just a precis of a great story that
deserves to be made into a feature
Documentary Film.

Throughout the 20 Century, motion pictures
th
and especially sound motion pictures, have
been recognised as the most effective tool for
the promotion of knowledge and ideas. In the A magic lantern street presentation by the Limelight
hands of talented people films can create Department.
awareness, can inform, entertain and inspire
their audience to take action – and knowledge “There is no History - only Biography...”
without action is useless. Even in the ‘Silent’ Emerson. It is the thoughts and actions and
era. films were accompanied by live ‘mood achievements of individual people that
music’ and sometimes even sound effects, live create history …
or recorded, while the authoritative voice of an Joseph Perry was a highly dedicated Officer in
expert lecturer or adventurer added that extra the Salvation Army. Joining the fledgling New
dramatic dimension of sound to the “silent” Zealand Corps in 1883, he worked under very
presentation. difficult conditions on both the North and
South Islands to help establish the Army’s
The discovery of presence and promote their cause. In 1885 he
just how powerful married Captain Annie Laurenson and shortly
moving pictures after the couple were transferred to Australia.
could be in Now with the rank of Captain, Joe Perry began
promoting their working in New South Wales and later in
cause was made by Victoria. During this period he decided to take
A self portrait of up photography as a hobby.
Captain Perry with the
PGB (Prison Gate In 1890 Captain Perry and wife Annie, were
Brigade) badge on his posted to Ballarat in Victoria to run a Prison
epaulette, taken at Gate Home for newly released prisoners. To
Ballarat, Victoria in supplement the Home’s income he established
1891
a commercial photographic studio and
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