Documentary on first 'talkie' enjoyed by Mayo audiences in 1933
IN December 1931, scenes for a landmark film were shot in Cashel, Co. Tipperary, by a film crew consisting of Irish, British and US personnel.
Entitled Sweet Inniscarra, the film was based on the play of the same name written back in 1897 by American Augustus Pitou. The updated film version of Sweet Innisicarra, which was set in 1930s Ireland, was significant in that it was publicised as the first 'all talking picture' (i.e. talkie) to be shot entirely in the country with an all-Irish cast and scenes.
Mayo audiences got to enjoy the film when it was shown at the Estoria Cinema in Ballina in May 1933.
Sweet Inniscarra was directed and produced by an Irish-American named Emmett Moore. His background was in producing silent films and this was his first talkie.
The actors, who were all amateurs, hailed from dramatic societies in Cashel, Fethard and Portarlington. The leading roles were played by Sean Rodgers (a founding member of Cashel Choral & Dramatic Society) and Mae Ryan (of Ryan's Hotel on the town).
The plot of Sweet Inniscarra centered around Gerald O'Carroll's love for Kate O'Donoghue. Her father, however, wished her to marry a wealthy major who unbeknownst to everyone was in fact a penniless villain at heart.
Ultimately, O'Carroll transpires to be the heir to a fortune in Jamaica and wins the day. The film concludes with the marriage of Gerald O'Carroll and Kate O'Donoghue.
Sweet Inniscarra was promoted as an Irish romance film depicting the habits, customs and mannerisms of the natives besides revealing many Irish beauty spots to the silver screen for the first time. The film encompassed music, song and dance, was 72 minutes in duration and shot in black and white.
It was shown in cinemas in the USA in 1932 and in Ireland in 1933, receiving both positive and negative reviews. Unfortunately, in the years that followed, the film was believed to have been lost or destroyed.
A new six-part documentary will investigate the story of Ireland's first talkie, its cast, producer Emmett Moore, and examine some of the efforts made over the years to try and locate a copy of the film.
Tom Hurley who produced the series will also be revealing the outcome of his own attempt to find a copy.
The documentary entitled 'Sweet Inniscarra' will be aired over six consecutive Fridays at 11 a.m. on Tipp Mid West Radio, beginning today (February 7). There will be a repeat of each episode on the following Tuesday evening at 6.30 p.m. and the programmes will also be streamed on https://www.tippmidwestradio.com/.