Elsa Chauvel
Encyclopedia
Elsa Chauvel, OBE
(née Elsie May Wilcox; 10 February 1898 – 22 August 1983) was an Australian filmmaker and actress, and the wife and collaborator of film director Charles Chauvel.
, Melbourne, Australia on 10 February 1898. Her parents were Irish actor Edward Wilcox, also known by his stage name Edward Sylvaney, and Australian Ada Worrill. Elsa had an elder brother named Kyrle. In her early years, Elsa was often involved in her parents' theatrical performances, often under the name Elsie Sylvaney. While still a child, Elsa and her family travelled to South Africa, where they formed a travelling troupe. Elsa and Kyrle typically portrayed children onstage, but also used makeup to play adults when necessary. When the success of the family's shows waned, they returned to Cape Town
, where, in 1909, youngest sibling Terry was born. Following World War One, in which Kyrle fought, the family travelled to Johannesburg
. Here, Elsa performed in chorus line
s, and later appeared in such plays as The Thirteenth Chair
, A Royal Divorce, and Sign of the Cross
. Following a successful stage tour in Basutoland
, the family returned to Australia in 1924.
in Brisbane
, Queensland. Charles, a film director, was scouting for a leading lady for his second film, Greenhide
. Though initially reluctant to audition for the part, she was persuaded by Charles to give a screentest, and was cast in the role. Charles and Elsa were married on 5 June 1927, at St James Church, Sydney, the ceremony officiated by Charles' brother, the Reverend John Chauvel. Following her marriage, Elsa performed on stage only occasionally, such as her 1929 season in San Francisco with Conway Tearle
.
to film scenes for In the Wake of the Bounty
(1933). Elsa was credited (under the pseudonym Ann Wynn) as production assistant on Heritage
(1935), in which she also portrayed the character Mrs Macquarie
. She later co-wrote the screenplays for Rangle River (1937), Forty Thousand Horsemen
(1940), The Rats of Tobruk
(1944), Sons of Matthew
(1949) and Jedda
(1955). Elsa served as associate producer on Sons of Matthew, and dialogue director on Jedda. Her various other duties included actor coaching, costume design
, research, and make-up.
, "in recognition of service to the Australian film industry." In 1973, she published a memoir, My Life with Charles Chauvel. Elsa moved from Sydney to Toowoomba, Queensland
in 1977. She died there on 22 August 1983.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(née Elsie May Wilcox; 10 February 1898 – 22 August 1983) was an Australian filmmaker and actress, and the wife and collaborator of film director Charles Chauvel.
Early years
Elsa Chauvel was born Elsie May Wilcox in CollingwoodCollingwood, Victoria
Collingwood is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Yarra...
, Melbourne, Australia on 10 February 1898. Her parents were Irish actor Edward Wilcox, also known by his stage name Edward Sylvaney, and Australian Ada Worrill. Elsa had an elder brother named Kyrle. In her early years, Elsa was often involved in her parents' theatrical performances, often under the name Elsie Sylvaney. While still a child, Elsa and her family travelled to South Africa, where they formed a travelling troupe. Elsa and Kyrle typically portrayed children onstage, but also used makeup to play adults when necessary. When the success of the family's shows waned, they returned to Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, where, in 1909, youngest sibling Terry was born. Following World War One, in which Kyrle fought, the family travelled to Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. Here, Elsa performed in chorus line
Chorus line
A chorus line is a substantial group of dancers who together perform synchronized routines, usually in musical theatre. Sometimes, singing is also performed. Chorus line dancers in Broadway musicals and revues have been referred to by slang terms such as ponies, gypsies and twirlies...
s, and later appeared in such plays as The Thirteenth Chair
The Thirteenth Chair
The Thirteenth Chair is a 1929 mystery film directed by Tod Browning. It is based on a 1916 play of the same name by Bayard Veiller.-Cast:* Conrad Nagel as Richard Crosby* Leila Hyams as Helen 'Nellie' O'Neill...
, A Royal Divorce, and Sign of the Cross
The Sign of the Cross (play)
The Sign of the Cross is a late-1895 four-act historical tragedy, by Wilson Barrett. It is generally conceded that the plot resembles the novel Quo Vadis of those same years, as an unofficial adaptation of it, yet Barrett never acknowledged this...
. Following a successful stage tour in Basutoland
Basutoland
Basutoland or officially the Territory of Basutoland, was a British Crown colony established in 1884 after the Cape Colony's inability to control the territory...
, the family returned to Australia in 1924.
Charles Chauvel
Elsa first met her future-husband Charles Chauvel in 1926, following a performance of the musical Crackers at the Cremorne TheatreCremorne Theatre
The Cremorne Theatre was a theatre in Brisbane in Brisbane, Australia. QPAC was constructed in 1985, however the location had been culturally significant for some time before this due to the presence of the Cremorne Theatre.-History:...
in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Queensland. Charles, a film director, was scouting for a leading lady for his second film, Greenhide
Greenhide
Greenhide is a 1926 Australian film directed by Charles Chauvel.-Plot:Marjory Paton leaves the city to live on her father's cattle property, run by "Greenhide Gavin" . She carries romantic notions of the bush, of "being swung to the saddle by big brown arms," but Greenhide Gavin is initially only...
. Though initially reluctant to audition for the part, she was persuaded by Charles to give a screentest, and was cast in the role. Charles and Elsa were married on 5 June 1927, at St James Church, Sydney, the ceremony officiated by Charles' brother, the Reverend John Chauvel. Following her marriage, Elsa performed on stage only occasionally, such as her 1929 season in San Francisco with Conway Tearle
Conway Tearle
Conway Tearle was an Anglo-American stage actor who went on to perform in silent and early sound films.-Early life:...
.
Work in film
In addition to starring in Greenhide, Elsa Chauvel was a frequent collaborator in her husband's work, active in various behind-the-scenes roles. Elsa often referred to herself as a "Girl Friday," but it has been remarked that "her occasional credits on the films do not do justice to her endless contributions." At first, Elsa's contributions were uncredited. Elsa accompanied Charles and cameraman Tasman Higgins to Pitcairn Island and TahitiTahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
to film scenes for In the Wake of the Bounty
In the Wake of the Bounty
In the Wake of the Bounty was an Australian film exploring the story of the Bounty. It preceded MGM's more famous Mutiny on the Bounty by two years and featured the screen debut of Errol Flynn, playing Fletcher Christian. Mayne Lynton portrayed Captain Bligh and Charles Chauvel directed the film. ...
(1933). Elsa was credited (under the pseudonym Ann Wynn) as production assistant on Heritage
Heritage (film)
Heritage is a 1935 Australian historical film directed by Charles Chauvel.-Production:Heritage was originally conceived in 1933, while Charles Chauvel was organising publicity for his previous film, In the Wake of the Bounty. The Australian government, in a bid to encourage the local film industry,...
(1935), in which she also portrayed the character Mrs Macquarie
Elizabeth Macquarie
Elizabeth Macquarie was the second wife of Lachlan Macquarie who served as Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821. She played a significant role in the establishment of the colony and is recognised in the naming of numerous Australian landmarks including Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Campbelltown...
. She later co-wrote the screenplays for Rangle River (1937), Forty Thousand Horsemen
Forty Thousand Horsemen
Forty Thousand Horsemen is a 1940 Australian war film directed by Charles Chauvel. The film tells the story of the Australian Light Horse cavalry which operated in the desert at the Sinai and Palestine Campaign during World War I. It follows the adventures of three rowdy heroes in fighting and...
(1940), The Rats of Tobruk
The Rats of Tobruk
The Rats of Tobruk was the name given to the soldiers of the garrison who held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Afrika Corps, during the Siege of Tobruk in World War II...
(1944), Sons of Matthew
Sons of Matthew
Sons of Matthew is a 1949 Australian film directed by Charles Chauvel. The film was shot in 1947 on location in Queensland, Australia and the studio sequences in Sydney...
(1949) and Jedda
Jedda
Jedda was the last movie made by the Australian filmmaker Charles Chauvel. The film is most notable for being the first to star two Aboriginal actors in the leading roles, and also to be the first Australian film shot in colour...
(1955). Elsa served as associate producer on Sons of Matthew, and dialogue director on Jedda. Her various other duties included actor coaching, costume design
Costume design
Costume design is the fabrication of apparel for the overall appearance of a character or performer. This usually involves researching, designing and building the actual items from conception. Costumes may be for a theater or cinema performance but may not be limited to such...
, research, and make-up.
Later years
On 11 November 1959, Charles Chauvel died unexpectedly from coronary vascular disease. Following his death, Elsa worked to promote Australian film and preserve her husband's films. On 13 June 1964, she was awarded the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, "in recognition of service to the Australian film industry." In 1973, she published a memoir, My Life with Charles Chauvel. Elsa moved from Sydney to Toowoomba, Queensland
Toowoomba, Queensland
Toowoomba is a city in Southern Queensland, Australia. It is located west of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. With an estimated district population of 128,600, Toowoomba is Australia's second largest inland city and its largest non-capital inland city...
in 1977. She died there on 22 August 1983.