Spencer: From Movie Mogul To Murderer — Part One

In the early 20th century, Spencer Cosens was Australia’s greatest showman. With his wife, projectionist Senora Spencer, “the world’s only lady operator”, he pioneered motion picture exhibition, establishing the first permanent cinema, introducing sound and colour films and championing local feature production. But a business betrayal would ruin Spencer’s career, permanently sabotage the Australian film industry and result in a bloody tragedy that unfolded like something out of the movies. Click for MORE

Born Spencer Cosens, the showman changed
his name to Charles Cosens Spencer.
Senora Spencer — Spencer’s wife Mary (nee Huntly)
Spencer’s film of the Jack Johnson – Tommy Burns World Championship Fight in Sydney in 1908 originally ran 80 minutes and was an international box-office hit.
Spencer’s 1909 film of the VFL Grand Final between Carlton and South Melbourne is the oldest surviving footage of Australian Rules football.
Spencer’s Marvellous Melbourne: Queen City Of The South was released in 1910
and is the oldest surviving documentary about the city.

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