Editing Thunderbolt (1910 film) (section)

==Reception==
A film called ''Thunderbolt'', about the bushranger, was screened in [[Wagga Wagga]] in February 1910.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145406110 |title=PASTIMES WEEKLY ENTERTAINMENT. |newspaper=[[Wagga Wagga Express]] |location=NSW |date=1 February 1910 |access-date=30 March 2015 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It is unclear whether this is the Gavin film, which officially premiered in Sydney on 12 November 1910.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15206175 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=12 November 1910 |access-date=30 March 2015 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

The movie was usually screened accompanied by a lecturer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19658692 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |date=11 January 1911 |access-date=26 February 2012 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

===Critical===
Reviews were generally positive. One critic, for ''The Newsletter'', wrote that:
<blockquote>The film has been admirably produced, being as clear and as distinct as any yet shown in Australia, and great credit is due to the bio operator, Mr. Moulton... Mr. Jack Gavin made an impressive Thunderbolt, being a fine upstanding man, big-enough to fight [[Jack Johnson (boxer)|Jack Johnson]]; and Mr. Bert Forsyth was all that could be desired as Monkton, the boy bushranger. Mr. H. A. Forsyth is to be congratulated upon the success of his initial attempt at picture production, and his efforts augur well for his success in future efforts.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102799561 |title=Thunderbolt—Moving Pictures. |newspaper=[[The Newsletter: an Australian Paper for Australian People]] |location=Sydney |date=19 November 1910 |access-date=3 October 2013 |page=9 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref></blockquote>
The ''Newcastle Herald'' stated that:
<blockquote>The various scenes were shown with a clearness that lent realism to the picture, which is one of the best ever thrown on the screen in Newcastle. The outlaw's swim from Cockatoo Island, where he had been imprisoned, was a very fine scene, and his theft of a horse followed by his sticking up of the Moonbi mail coach, in which the antics of the passengers caused amusement, was excellent.... The audience showed appreciation by loud applause, which the picture deserved thoroughly.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133903817 |title=DREAMLAND PICTURES. |newspaper=[[Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate]] |date=21 November 1910 |access-date=30 March 2015 |page=6 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref></blockquote>
The ''Bunbury Southern Times'' said that the film "is said to be a masterpiece in motion picture cinematography. This picture is full of exciting and sensational plots."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158888522 |title=Cinemato. Chat. |newspaper=[[Southern Times]] |location=Bunbury, WA |date=23 March 1911 |access-date=30 March 2015 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

===Box office===
The film was a big success at the box office. Gavin said it was "a very successful money maker" that made "a fortune" for its investors.<ref name="gav"/> A writer for ''The Newsletter'' called it "a boon unprecedented in the annals of local picture showdom."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102801062 |title=Australian Enterprise. |newspaper=[[The Newsletter: an Australian Paper for Australian People]] |location=Sydney |date=24 December 1910 |access-date=3 October 2013 |page=9 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Another article in the same publication said the film was "proving a big draw wherever exhibited, in fact a perfect money spinner, and the firm is troubled to supply the demand the demand made upon their film department."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102798828 |title=Theatrical Gossip. |newspaper=[[The Newsletter: An Australian Paper for Australian People]] |volume=14 |issue=12 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=3 December 1910 |accessdate=1 July 2024 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

''Thunderbolt'' was so popular, Forsyth indicated he wanted to make further bushranger movies.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102798828 |title=Theatrical Gossip. |newspaper=[[The Newsletter: an Australian Paper for Australian People]] |location=Sydney |date=3 December 1910 |access-date=30 March 2015 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The ''Sunday Sun'' declared, "Forsyth has a mine of suitable matter right under his hand, and he has already, demonstrated that the "Southern Cross Enterprise" is capable of producing films of a merit, which renders it unnecessary for showmen to seek their cinematographic repertoire abroad."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226876484 |title=MUSIC AND DRAMA. |newspaper=[[The Sunday Sun (Sydney)|The Sunday Sun]] |issue=400 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=27 November 1910 |accessdate=1 July 2024 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Gavin and Forsyth subsequently went on to [[Moonlite (film)|make a film]] about [[Captain Moonlite]]. Then the two went their separate ways and Gavin made movies on [[Ben Hall (bushranger)|Ben Hall]] and [[Frank Gardiner]].<ref name="evening"/> In advertising Forsyth would claim he was the "original creator" of the films on Thunderbolt and Moonlite, not mentioning Gavin at all.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120788232 |title=Advertising. |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sydney)|The Sunday Times]] |location=Sydney |date=8 January 1911 |access-date=30 March 2015 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

''Thunderbolt'' was still screening in theatres as late as 1916.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91164786 |title=J.B. PICTURES. |newspaper=[[Port Melbourne Standard]] |location=Vic. |date=25 November 1916 |access-date=3 October 2013 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Gavin wanted to re-release the film in 1922 but was unable to do so due to [[bushranger ban|the ban on bushranging films introduced in 1912]].<ref>{{Citation
  | title=No title
  | journal=Everyones.
  | date=1 November 1922
  | location=Sydney
  | publisher=Everyones Ltd
  | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-560828758
  | id=nla.obj-560828758
  | access-date=1 July 2024
  | via=Trove
}}</ref>