Melbourne art scene in the 1950s: Philippe Mora home movies – Part 1

This clip features home movie footage taken by Gerty Anschel (c. 1953–54) with audio commentary by film director Philippe Mora. Part 1 of 3 features scenes of Melbourne, the Mirka Café and Joy Hester and Gray Smith’s property. Philippe reflects on his childhood and identifies key figures of the Melbourne art scene.

Black-and-white footage begins with Mirka Mora and Klaus Anschel standing on the front steps at Gerty and Klaus Anschel's home. Children play in the front yard including Danny Anschel and Philippe Mora (with hammer). Mirka, children and friends are visible at the fence. 

Colour footage begins with shots of a Fintonia street sign, Gerty Anschel, and Klaus Anschel asleep. Georges and Mirka Mora, with Miriam Anschel at Mirka’s side, play the card game canasta.

The clip also features the Mora family home (Grosvenor Chambers, 9 Collins Street, Melbourne) and the Mirka Café on Exhibition Street. John Perceval is seen at the window, with Gerty Anschel visible in the window's reflection. There is footage of Joy Hester and Gray Smith’s property, with Mirka Mora and Joy Hester in the garden and carrying picnic food. At the picnic are Gray Smith, Mirka Mora with Philippe Mora and Miriam Anschel, baby William Mora, Georges Mora sitting in a deck chair, Joy Hester breastfeeding and Charles Blackman. The clip ends with Philippe Mora eating a baguette.

Explore more rare footage of 1950s Melbourne art scene