One hundred years of groundbreaking film history. It all began in Marvellous Melbourne.
The world’s first Feature Film.
Australia’s first Picture Palace.
Australia’s first Film Festival.
The excitement and brilliance of Melbourne’s vibrant film culture is seen through the life of a movie obsessed Melburnian – Ross Campbell.
“A love letter to the city’s film culture. Superbly presented and abundantly illustrated…
an unofficial history of Melbourne’s film culture”
Tom Ryan, THE AGE, 16th Oct 2024
The Book
Ross tells the extraordinary story of Melbourne making the world’s first feature film.
Ross experienced firsthand the rebirth of Australian filmmaking in the 1970s.
His youthful experiences of local picture theatres, the stories of those film fanatics, his friends and colleagues, who created our unique film culture, Ross weaves into a fascinating tale of his magnificent obsession with film.
It’s an insider’s story, filled with celebration and humour. Embracing art and music, projection and ever-evolving technology.
Ross illuminates decades of astounding innovation and change. From music for silent films to IMAX and beyond. A revelation on every page. A cinematic adventure for film lovers everywhere.
The book is lavishly illustrated with original photos from films, movie posters, actors and critics.
The Author
A child of the Saturday matinee, Ross Campbell is an award winning documentary director and producer. For three decades a technical consultant to the Melbourne International Film Festival. Artistic director for silent film and orchestra for the Melbourne International Festival of the Arts. An expert and exacting curator of music for silent film screenings.
Ross created the majestic and opulent Erwin Rado Theatre in Fitzroy for the Melbourne International Film Festival’s media previews and young filmmakers’ cast and crew screenings. A legendary mini cinema beloved across the city by directors, filmmakers, writers, cinephiles, movie-makers and musicians.
Ross is an honours graduate of the London Film School and is a member of Cinema Pioneers of Australia.
Image Gallery
Ross is available for interviews, talkbacks and chats with film fans everywhere.