Paulette McDonagh(1901-1978)

One of the foremost directors of early Australian film, Paulette was the driving force behind the McDonagh Sisters production trio which included her sisters Isabel (an actress, known as Marie Lorraine) and Phyllis (producer and art director). She had been interested in making films since she was a schoolgirl, and wrote and directed four feature films which were among the greatest successes of the Australian silent era. Mostly self taught except for the brief assistance of director J.P. Ramster on her first film `Those Who Love' (1926), she gained recognition for her simple, naturalistic direction and inventive, well-written scripts. McDonagh Productions disbanded in 1933, but Paulette continued to make short documentaries on subjects including cricketer Don Bradman, and the champion racehorse Phar Lap.