https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-02/Colour%20TV%20Mega%20Menu%203%20TVs_1000x745%20px.jpg
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/article/hero_image03-2020/the-far-paradise-scrapbook_hero-image.jpg
McDonaghs' Scrapbook
The McDonagh Sisters 'The Far Paradise' Scrapbook
For release of The Far Paradise (1928)
The NFSA holds in its collection a rare scrapbook that was created by the McDonagh sisters to document the release and response to their feature film, The Far Paradise (1928).
The Far Paradise was the second of three silent feature films made by MCD Productions, the pioneering film production team of Isabel, Phyllis and Paulette McDonagh – three sisters from Sydney's inner west.
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/03-2020/358418040_invitation-card.jpg
The 48-page scrapbook contains articles and profiles of the three sisters, plus movie reviews from some of the most respected publications of the day, cinema advertisements for the film, invitation cards to the premiere screening and some elaborate hand-drawn and painted artwork featuring Isabel McDonagh, as seen in the main image above.
The Far Paradise is a classic romance centred around Cherry Carson (Isabel McDonagh, billed as Marie Lorraine) and Peter Lawton (Paul Longuet) who are driven apart by family loyalties and meddling by Cherry's father (Gaston Mervale), who has a shady business past.
'Clever McDonaghs Score Again'
The Far Paradise was received very favourably, and hailed a success, by most local critics.
The Film Weekly praised the 'highly capable acting ... careful direction and first-class photography'. The Sunday Times noted the expert lighting and make-up, and The Sun declared that the McDonaghs had produced 'a thoroughly convincing and really entertaining screen play'.
Below you'll find a selection of newspaper clippings from the scrapbook featuring reviews of The Far Paradise:
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/image/image03-2020/358418016_the-far-paradise_newspaper-reviews.jpg
Newspaper reviews of the McDonagh sisters' film The Far Paradise (1928). This page is from a scrapbook belonging to the McDonaghs that they created to document the release of their second film.
Click image to expand.
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/image/image03-2020/358418016_the-far-paradise_newspaper-reviews.jpg
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/image/image03-2020/358418011_the-far-paradise_sisters-profile.jpg
This page from the McDonagh sisters' scrapbook features reports about the private premiere screening of The Far Paradise (1928) at Sydney's Prince Edward Theatre, plus insights into the filmmaking team's no-nonsense working methods, in a feature story from The Sydney Mail on Wednesday 6 June 1928.
Click image to expand.
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/image/image03-2020/358418011_the-far-paradise_sisters-profile.jpg
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/image/image03-2020/358418035_the-far-paradise_newpaper-reviews-2.jpg
This page from the McDonagh sisters' scrapbook features a review of The Far Paradise (1928) from The Sunday Times, 24 June 1928, which praises the film for its production, including lighting and make-up, the actors' performances and the well-constructed story. The critic also compliments their depiction of local landmarks.
Click image to expand.
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/image/image03-2020/358418035_the-far-paradise_newpaper-reviews-2.jpg
'The Glamour of Romance'
Included in the sisters' scrapbook are a number of original newspaper advertisements from various theatres screening The Far Paradise.
As you'll see from the images below, there was much hype around the film on its release. It was dubbed 'Australia's greatest movie' in an advertisement for The Regent, while Hoyts promised audiences that the film 'holds the spectator enthralled from start to finish':
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/1200_The-Far-Paradise_The-Regent.jpg
This full-page newspaper advertisement from the McDonagh sisters' scrapbook showcases the latest attractions at the Regent Theatre in Sydney. The ad describes Marie Lorraine (Isabel McDonagh) in The Far Paradise (1928) as 'an artiste of the highest order' and the three sisters as a brilliant trio. The film is hailed as 'Australia's greatest film triumph'.
Click image to expand.
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/1200_The-Far-Paradise_The-Regent.jpg
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/1200_The-Far-Paradise_Hoyts.jpg
A full-page newspaper advertisement from Hoyts movie theatres in Bourke Street for the McDonagh sisters' film The Far Paradise (1928), referring to its 'amazing climax' and that audiences will be 'enthralled'. The exact date and source for this advertisement are unknown.
Click image to expand.
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/1200_The-Far-Paradise_Hoyts.jpg
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/1200_The-Far-Paradise_Capitol-Theatre.jpg
A large newspaper advertisement from Sydney's Capitol Theatre for the McDonagh sisters' film The Far Paradise (1928). As an added drawcard, the ad promotes an appearance by the star of the film, Miss Marie Lorraine (Isabel McDonagh), to introduce the screening. The exact date and source for this advertisement are unknown.
Click image to expand.
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/1200_The-Far-Paradise_Capitol-Theatre.jpg
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/1200_The-Far-Paradise_Theatre-Orange.jpg
A full-spread newspaper advertisement from Theatre Orange showcasing The Far Paradise (1928), prominently featuring star Marie Lorraine (Isabel McDonagh) and hailing the movie a triumph. The exact date and source for this advertisement are unknown.
Click image to expand.
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/1200_The-Far-Paradise_Theatre-Orange.jpg
A Pioneering Trio
While most of the scrapbook pages are dedicated to The Far Paradise, it also contains some newspaper profiles of the three sisters plus reviews of their first feature film, Those Who Love (1926).
The McDonagh sisters are regularly described as pioneers of Australian film and trailblazers for women in a heavily male-dominated industry. Their films helped change attitudes about how Australian films should look and the type of stories we tell on screen.
Follow this link to view The Far Paradise scrapbook in its entirety and discover more about the revolutionary McDonagh sisters and their films in our McDonagh Sisters curated collection.
Want to be the first to hear stories and news from the NFSA?
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss out.
More to explore
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/article/hero_image02-2020/p1160634_4_1600x775.jpg
McDonagh sisters' filming locations in 1920s Sydney
Can you help us identify these Sydney locations from landmark 1920s films made by the McDonagh sisters?
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/collection/hero_image02-2020/mcdonagh-sisters-collection-hero-image.jpg
The McDonagh Sisters: Early Australian Female Filmmakers
This collection celebrates the work of the McDonagh sisters. In the 1920s, they became the first women to own and operate a film production company in Australia.
https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/article/hero_image08-2018/cheaters_restore_203366-hero.jpg
The McDonagh Sisters: Australian filmmaking pioneers
Graham Shirley's portrait of the pioneering Australian filmmakers, the McDonagh Sisters – Isabel, Paulette and Phyllis.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.