Rangle River (1936)

Interesting facts

Rangle River is a 1936 Australian Western film directed by Clarence G. Badger based on a story by Zane Grey.

Production

The movie was partly financed by a Hollywood studio, Columbia, and used an imported American star, director and principal technicians. It was made by National Studios, who owned Pagewood Film Studios and had links with National Productions, the company that made The Flying Doctor (1936).

The original story was written by popular writer Zane Grey while at Bermagui during his 1935 fishing tour of Australia, a period which also produced the film White Death (1936). Grey's original story reportedly only went for two pages. The script was adapted by Charles and Elsa Chauvel and other uncredited writers.

Grey later wrote up his story as a short story which was not published in a collection until 1976. A biographer of the author wrote, "Intended as a kind of postcard of Australia, the story is flimsy, the characters tissuey, and the setting unconvincing. Moreover, the storyline reads like a synopsis. Some scenes are feebly sketched and the dialogue often is wooden and contrived."

The role of Marion Hastings was originally offered to Nancy O'Neil, an Australian actor living in England. The director, Clarence G. Badger was imported from Hollywood, as was star Victor Jory. The female lead was finally given to a Sydney girl, Peggy Barnes, who changed her name to Margaret Dare. She was signed to a three-year contract with National Studios but asked to be released from it.

Although there was some suggestion the film would be made in Queensland it was eventually shot on location near Gloucester and in the Burragorang Valley.

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