Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Tuesday 5 July 1938, page 10


BOY'S AMBITION REALISED

How 'Broken Melody' Was Written

When Mr. F. J. Thwaltes, Australian author and publisher, was 10 years of age he heard the musical composition, 'The Broken Melody,' played

so appealingly that he formed an ambition to write a story with such a title and with the melody as a theme. Not only was his ambition realised a few years ago by the publication in London and Australia of his book of that name, but he has seen it transited to the screen in one of the finest Australian films yet made. Mr. Thwaites is now in Brisbane awaiting the release of the film at the Winter Garden Theatre on Friday. He said yesterday that the film dramatised the book and its sequel 'The Melody Lingers.' 'The setting is partly in Sydney and the outback of New South Wales and partly in London,' he said. 'It has been said by the critics that Mr. Ken Hall, of Cinesound,. has got the best possible out of Lloyd Hughes, as the hero, John Ainsworth. The film is highly popular in Sydney, and I am sure Brisbane people will like it.' Although only 30, Mr. Thwaites has written 11 full-length novels, and has found writing remunerative. He has travelled in most parts of the world gathering literary material. Some of his novels have an oversea setting 'Redemption' was cast in India. But he always introduces an Australian angle. Mr. Thwaites is a native of New South Wales and belongs to an old pioneering family. His greatgrandfather, Francis Jenkins, pioneered the south-west of the State in 1827. When not writing his time is occupied by his Sydney publishing company, libraries, and art shops.