Those Who Love (1925)

Interesting facts

Those Who Love is a 1926 silent film, produced in Australia, about the son of a knight who falls in love with a dancer. Only part of the film survives today and it is held by the National Film and Sound Archive.

Production

This was the first feature film from the McDonagh sisters, Paulette, Phyllis and Isobel. They came up with the story in the prep room of their own boarding school. Says Phyllis McDonagh:

In those days every Australian-made film made us out to be a lot of bushwhackers, on the 'Dad and Dave' theme. The three of us talked and talked and decided if Australia was going to compete overseas we'd have to meet overseas standards by making interior films – technically difficult then.

The film was entirely financed by the girl's father. Says Phyllis:

Father always believed in us. And when we proved on paper we knew what we were about, he let us have our head. We had a down-to-earth approach. We thought well ahead and planned the details meticulously. We knew talent wasn't enough if it was half baked.

The McDonaghs formed a production company, MCD Productions, and started pre-production. Isobel was to star, Phyllis was to do production design and publicity, and Paulette would help with direction. Before filming commenced, their father died of a heart attack. Their mother was a trained nurse and a group of Sydney doctors suggested she open a convalescent home for their use.

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