Clip description

Leonard Corrick’s camera moves up and down the streets of Perth recording the action on the street. At one point a man bumps into another man in the street and fisticuffs ensue as the camera moves past.

Curator’s notes

This film is classic early showman opportunism. The Marvellous Corricks advertised the time and place of filming to ensure crowds on the street and a full house for their next evening’s performance. This type of candid camera was a clever way to connect with local communities (Pathé used a similar strategy for Footscray 1911 ).

Leonard Corrick is believed to have made up to ten such films in Australian towns during their time on the road. Sadly only two have survived, both featuring Western Australia. The 'inadvertent’ fight in the film was possibly set up by the Corricks as an added attraction.