In the family of entertainers known as The Marvellous Corricks there were eight talented siblings: seven sisters and their brother, Leonard. He was just 14 years old when he started making and screening silent films. It was 1901 and his early projections – a highlight of his family’s travelling shows filled with sketches and singalongs – would light up the world. In 2021, Leonard’s Beautiful Pictures will return in all their wonder for this Ten Days on the Island world premiere. These 100-year-old films will once again entertain and delight audiences at the historic venues in Zeehan, Scottsdale and Hobart. Leonard’s fascinating newsreels and dramatic films once awed our local communities with the latest in cinematography. Now, a selection of Leonard’s films, some black-and-white, some gorgeously hand-tinted – digitally restored by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) – represent a rare vision of a former world. NFSA Chief Curator Gayle Lake said: ‘The Corrick Collection was truly a window on the world for early 20th century Australians. We’re delighted to give Tasmanians an exclusive first look at the digitally restored films; it’s a wonderful way to celebrate the Corricks’ connection with Tasmania at the Ten Days on the Island festival.’ Paying homage to The Marvellous Corricks’ musical talents, renowned Tasmanian composer and performer Dean Stevenson and his band will accompany these moving pictures with the world premiere of a playful new musical soundscape. We’ve even commissioned a new ice-cream for this special occasion – Leonard’s Lavender! So, bring your family and, together, we’ll welcome Leonard’s Beautiful Pictures into the 21st century.

CREDITS: Composer & Musical Director – Dean Stevenson, Musician – Randall Muir, Musician – Ralph Forehead

PARTNERS: National Film and Sound Archive

Presented by the National Film and Sound Archive digital restoration program – NFSA Restores – reviving Australia’s cinema icons.