Paul Ruckert collection

This item contains five short comic films produced by Paul Ruckert: The Big Chase; Fashion Parade; The Night Before the Morning  After; Fireman, Save my House; Auto-Capers.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

This short film contains a series of advertisements promoting Ruckert's production business Invincible Studios and advertising several other products, such as Paul's Blinds and Jet Pest Spray.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

This item contains a number of short films, including the following: a film showing Paul and Iris Ruckert on a picnic; a short film entitled: 'The Storks's Mistake, 1943' (Iris taking care of her dog as if it were a child); a short film entitled 'Progress on the Plot' (showing Paul building a house); 'Tosca has fun' (1944) (a film about a dog playing with pigs); 'Introducing Marie Anne' (a film about the couple's newborn baby); 'Highlights of 1946' (a large house being built; Marie Anne swimming, crawling, playing in the backyard; learning to walk); 'Christmas Capers' (footage of Marie Anne playing in the garden with her toys; Marie Anne on the beach); 'The Finishing Touch, 1948' (Paul and Iris painting their house); 'Censored!' (the interior of the house; Paul smoking a pipe and, drinking and reading); 'Playtime' (Marie Anne playing with her toys and a tea set).

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

This film traces the journey of water from its sources in the mountains to its exit into the ocean, showing the variety of uses of water and various flora and fauna along the way. The narrator discusses protection of birds, especially the brolga; flooding; fish in the Australian waters and the importance of keeping our waterways clean.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

This item includes a number of short films, including: ‘The Amazing Children’, a comical film about the Ruckert children; ‘The Building of the 38ft. Luxury Cruiser "Cynina’’', showing the construction and sailing of a wooden yacht; ‘Turina’, showing the family dog; and 'A Treat for the Boys', shot at a public pool and showing attractive women in swimsuits practising synchronised swimming.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film showing many Australian animals and birds in their natural habitat.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

This item contains a film about the beauty of North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. The narrator describes the fauna of the Reef, such as the star fish, the hermit crab and the king snapper.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film featuring the life cycle of a butterfly filmed in close-up with homemade macro photography equipment.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film about the flora and fauna of the Australian bushland.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film about the trees and animals found in the Australian bush.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

This item documents Paul Ruckert's interest in landscape and nature. In the late 1940s, he made a trip into the then remote area of Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland to produce this film about the region for the Queensland Royal Geographical Society. 

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film about the various aspects of colour in nature.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film about pollution and conservation in Australia. The work juxtaposes the peace and beauty of our wildlife and countryside with the concrete jungles and man's pollution of the cities.

This item includes animation; a film about a fair; a humorous 'weather report'; footage of a bulldozer moving soil; a backyard comedy involving a hills hoist; a comedy about 'Block Buster Grog'.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A documentary about the wonders of the sea: images of Australia's coastline, headlands, beaches and the flora and fauna in these areas. The film includes close-up images of molluscs, hermit crabs, starfish, brolgas, terns, magpie geese, sea caves and sea landscapes. 

A film showing what not to do when completing basic repairs around the house.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A colour film about insects.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

This item contains early colour footage of North Queensland - Mossman, Cairns, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Barron Falls, Paronella Park, and Atherton Tableland lakes.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film about the lives of insects.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film about animal and plant life and about the need to protect our environment.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film about Paul Ruckert's cars: 7 H. P. Citroen; 25 H. P. Plymouth; 27 H. P. Fluid Drive Dodge; The film shows Paul washing and repairing the cars; family holidays with the Dodge, the Chrysler and a home on wheels; 28 H. P. Semi-automatic Chrysler; 52.7 H. P. Custom Royal Dodge (towing a new home on wheels); 1965 Dodge Phoenix 50 H. P.; Dodge Phoenix 1968 Hardtop, 57.8 H. P., 270 B. H. P.; 1973 Falcon 500. The final shot reads: 'NOT The End'.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film showing Paul and Iris' children and pets; a wedding; children playing with puppies; footage shot on a beach; a child in a backyard pool; a party.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film about insects, such as beetles, spiders and ants.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

This film (photographed by Iris Ruckert) shows flowers planted around the Ruckerts' house; the Ruckert children; the children playing with a kangaroo; a wedding; a Christmas party.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

This film shows places and public buildings in Australia: The Australian War Memorial; Parliament House; natural landmarks; public parks and other places.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film about a journey in 1951 through inland Australia, including Western Queensland. The film shows the landscape as well as the birds and animals observed during the journey.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

A film about the process of filmmaking.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.

An advertisement for Paul Ruckert's business 'Invincible Studios'.

A film showing different stages in life of 'Baby Joyce'.

A black and white film about a pet dog.

A short comedy showing Paul and Iris Ruckert in various funny situations in their house.

A short film showing a pet cat, a boat and a house being built.

Paul Ruckert's retelling of fairy tales, including 'The Golden Touch'; 'Cinderella'; and 'Little Red Riding Hood'.

Black and white newsreel film with three segments showing car and motorcycles races. Segment 1 is titled ‘Skids and dust at reliability trial’ and shows cars racing in the streets of a seaside Brisbane suburb. Segment 2 is titled ‘Speed demons race midget cars’ and shows ‘midget’ cars racing at the RNA Showgrounds. Segment 3 is titled ‘Riders crash at freak hill climb’ and shows footage of motorcycle riders competing in the Bardon Hill Climb.

A short black and white film about a handy man and his mischievous little daughter.

An early film entitled 'Lottabunk News: a weekly newsreel issued once a month', showing various funny sketches.

A short comic film showing various 'scientific' inventions, such as a 'non-burn mustard', a potion that makes hair grow overnight and electrical contraptions likely to electrocute the user.

A short film showing people in various situations: going for a walk, chatting, going on a boat ride, reading.

A short film showing a group of people playing practical jokes on a friend.

A short film about a deranged scientist working in his laboratory.

This film is a significant early 16 mm production released in 1939 and shot in colour. The historic images from this film are still being used by local television stations when period footage is required. 

Digitised with support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign.