Reel Crimes

Reel Crimes is the first book to critically examine
the films and life of Australian independent
filmmaker Rupert Kathner who, from 1934 to 1951,
defied powerful Hollywood-controlled cinema
monopolies, a corrupt police commissioner, Sydney
gangsters and oppressive censorship laws in his
passionate quest to make truly Australian films.
Often on the run from creditors and police, this
forgotten pioneer managed to produce startling
non-fiction films that broke new ground by covering
controversial topics such as cocaine smuggling,
illegal gambling, child exploitation, poverty, slum
housing, even murder. This study also includes an
examination of crime and social issues in Australian
and world cinema during the first half of the
twentieth century. The second part contains the
screenplay 'Hunt Angels', based on Kathner's life
story, now a multi-award winning feature film. This
book addresses issues that have important resonances
for contemporary film scholars. It is ideal for
classroom use at undergraduate and graduate levels
for those studying film history, censorship,
Hollywood versus national cinemas, and writing for
the screen.