Port of Escape (unfinished film)

Port of Escape was a proposed Australian feature film shot in 1960 from the Tas-American Television Corporation. It was directed by and starred American magician John Calvert. Although over £27,000 was spent on the movie it was never released and there is some doubt if it was ever completed.[1]

Port of Escape
Directed byJohn Calvert
Produced byArthur Greville Collins
StarringJohn Calvert
Pilita Corrales
Production
company
Tas-American Television Corporation
Release date
1960 (intended)
Running time
incomplete
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

Background

Calvert had visited Australia several times with his stage act, often announcing film projects. In 1950 he said he wanted to make four features there[2] including one about Burke and Wills, but then he decided that was too dull a subject matter.[3][4] He tried to get up another movie called Strange Horizons which he intended to make in Mackay[5][6] but he was unable to get approval from Actors Equity to import the personnel he wanted.[7][8]

Calvert was frequently involved in legal disputes while in Australia.[9][10]

Port of Escape

The film co-starred dancer Pilita Corrales who Calvert brought out to Australia with him in 1959. Calvert persuaded investors from Tasmania to fund the film, but it was never released. Calvert fled Australia with creditors unpaid.[11] However Corrales stayed on in Australia and enjoyed a successful career there.[12]

References
  1. Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, 208. ISBN 0-19-550784-3
  2. "ACTOR TO MAKE 4 FILMS HERE". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 14 December 1950. p. 3. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  3. "Planning film". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 3 August 1950. p. 3. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  4. "MUSIC AND THE THEATRE". The Sunday Herald. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 15 October 1950. p. 8 Supplement: Sunday Herald Features. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  5. "MACKAY EXPECTED AS LOCATION". The Cairns Post. Qld.: National Library of Australia. 12 December 1950. p. 3. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  6. "They Came To Australia By Accident ". The Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 9 May 1951. p. 11. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  7. "Mackay As Film Site Abandoned". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 9 July 1951. p. 3. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  8. "Film Chance For Australia". The Sunday Times. Perth: National Library of Australia. 12 November 1950. p. 28. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  9. ""The Falcon" sues night club man". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 21 July 1953. p. 5. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  10. "'JOEY' KANGAROOS CAUSE INTERSTATE CONFUSION". The Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 6 July 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 20 March 2012.,
  11. Eric Reade, History and heartburn: the saga of Australian film, 1896-1978 Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press, 1979, p 149
  12. 'Pilita Corrales' at Research on Performance and Desire


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