Keane of Kalgoorlie is a 1911 Australian silent film set in the racing and gambling circles of Sydney, based on a popular play by Edward William O'Sullivan

Edward William O'Sullivan

Edward William O'Sullivan was an Australian journalist and politician.As a politician, O'Sullivan had strong Labour sympathies before the Labor Party had developed in New South Wales, and worked untiringly for old-age pensions until they became law in 1900...

, made by the husband and wife team of John

John Gavin (director)

John F. Gavin, born as John Francis Henry Gavin was an Australian film director, who was one of the early film makers of the 1910s. He was born and died in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and was also known by the nickname "Jack"....

 and Agnes Gavin

Agnes Gavin

Agnes Gavin was an Australian actor and screenwriter of the silent era, who worked in collaboration with her husband John Gavin. She wrote the majority of his films and was arguably the first specialist screenwriter in the history of the Australian film industry.She and her husband were best known...

.

Synopsis

A young man from Kalgoorlie called Frank Keane (John Gavin) wants to enter his horse in the Sydney Cup

Sydney Cup

The Sydney Cup is an Australian horse race, held for Thoroughbred horses and run over 3200 metres. It is run every year at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, New South Wales in April/May...

. His rival in the race is Gregory Harris, who is married to the woman Keane loves, Tess Murton (Agnes Gavin). Harris tries to frame Keane for murder, burns down the stables containing his horse, and bribes a jockey to sabotage Keane during the final race.

Production

There are sequences involving a boxing match and game of two up, and the climax has Keane winning the Sydney Cup

Sydney Cup

The Sydney Cup is an Australian horse race, held for Thoroughbred horses and run over 3200 metres. It is run every year at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, New South Wales in April/May...

. During shooting racing authorities would not allow Randwick racecourse

Randwick Racecourse

Royal Randwick Racecourse is a racecourse for horseracing in the Eastern Suburbs in Sydney, New South Wales. Randwick Racecourse, is operated by the Australian Jockey Club and known to many Sydney racegoers as headquarters...

 to be used, so footage of a race in Western Australia was used instead.

Cast

• John Gavin
  John Gavin (director)
  John F. Gavin, born as John Francis Henry Gavin was an Australian film director, who was one of the early film makers of the 1910s. He was born and died in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and was also known by the nickname "Jack"....
  
   as Frank Keane
• Agnes Gavin
  Agnes Gavin
  Agnes Gavin was an Australian actor and screenwriter of the silent era, who worked in collaboration with her husband John Gavin. She wrote the majority of his films and was arguably the first specialist screenwriter in the history of the Australian film industry.She and her husband were best known...
  
  as Tess Murton
• Alf Scarlett