Brian Abbot
Encyclopedia
Brian Abbot real name George Rikard Bell, was an Australian actor best known for playing the male lead in Orphan of the Wilderness
(1936) and the circumstances of his death.
and SS Christina Frazer. In the words of a later newspaper profile, "As Mr. Abbot didn't believe in for the third time to prove that fate was against him he promptly decided that there were other adventurous jobs to be had which didn't carry the risk of drowning." He subsequently turned to acting, taking the stage name of Brian Abbot.
Abbot was cast by Ken G. Hall
to play the lead in Orphan of the Wilderness
(1936), although Hall later felt the actor's inexperience was evident in the final film.. In October 1936, after completing work on Mystery Island
(1937) on Lord Howe Island
, Abbot and Leslie Hay-Simpson, a fellow actor, set out for Sydney in a 16-foot open longboat called The Mystery Star. They were never seen again, despite a search of over a week involving a number of vessels, including the naval destroyer .
Abbot's wife, Grace Rikard Bell, later sued the Producers and Citizens' Co-operative Assurance Co., Ltd. over her husband's death, claiming the company promised to insure his life for £1,000. The company (who were represented in court by Clive Evatt
) alleged Abbot sailed back from Lord Howe Island in a small boat "quite unsuitable" for the journey without informing the company. The case was subsequently settled.
Orphan of the Wilderness
Orphan of the Wilderness is a 1936 Australian feature film from director Ken G. Hall about the adventures of a boxing kangaroo. The film was banned in England because it depicted cruely to animals. It starred Brian Abbot who disappeared at sea not long after filming completed.-External links:* in...
(1936) and the circumstances of his death.
Biography
Abbot had a great love of sailing and originally wanted to be a sailor for a career, but worked on two vessels which later sunk, TSS KanownaTSS Kanowna
TSS Kanowna, was an Australian steamer built during 1902. The 6,993-ton, long Kanowna was constructed by William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland, and had a twin screw design.-Operational history:...
and SS Christina Frazer. In the words of a later newspaper profile, "As Mr. Abbot didn't believe in for the third time to prove that fate was against him he promptly decided that there were other adventurous jobs to be had which didn't carry the risk of drowning." He subsequently turned to acting, taking the stage name of Brian Abbot.
Abbot was cast by Ken G. Hall
Ken G. Hall
Kenneth George Hall, AO OBE , better known as Ken G. Hall, was an Australian film director, considered one of the most important figures in the history of the Australian film industry.-Early years:...
to play the lead in Orphan of the Wilderness
Orphan of the Wilderness
Orphan of the Wilderness is a 1936 Australian feature film from director Ken G. Hall about the adventures of a boxing kangaroo. The film was banned in England because it depicted cruely to animals. It starred Brian Abbot who disappeared at sea not long after filming completed.-External links:* in...
(1936), although Hall later felt the actor's inexperience was evident in the final film.. In October 1936, after completing work on Mystery Island
Mystery Island (1937 film)
Mystery Island is a 1937 Australian film shot almost entirely on location near Lord Howe Island. It stars Brian Abbot and Desmond Hay, who sailed back to the mainland together after filming in a 16-foot open boat and were never heard of again.- Cast :...
(1937) on Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is an irregularly crescent-shaped volcanic remnant in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, directly east of mainland Port Macquarie, and about from Norfolk Island. The island is about 11 km long and between 2.8 km and 0.6 km wide with an area of...
, Abbot and Leslie Hay-Simpson, a fellow actor, set out for Sydney in a 16-foot open longboat called The Mystery Star. They were never seen again, despite a search of over a week involving a number of vessels, including the naval destroyer .
Abbot's wife, Grace Rikard Bell, later sued the Producers and Citizens' Co-operative Assurance Co., Ltd. over her husband's death, claiming the company promised to insure his life for £1,000. The company (who were represented in court by Clive Evatt
Clive Evatt
Clive Evatt QC was an Australian politician, barrister and raconteur. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1939 until 1959. At various times he sat as a member of the Industrial Labor Party, ALP and as an independent.-Early life:Evatt was born in Maitland and was the...
) alleged Abbot sailed back from Lord Howe Island in a small boat "quite unsuitable" for the journey without informing the company. The case was subsequently settled.
Lord Howe Island Crossing
A significant number of boats have gone missing in the stretch of water between Sydney and Lord Howe Island over the years. A few weeks after Abbot's disappearance, a boat containing five men sailing from Sydney to the island also vanished.Filmography
- Orphan of the WildernessOrphan of the WildernessOrphan of the Wilderness is a 1936 Australian feature film from director Ken G. Hall about the adventures of a boxing kangaroo. The film was banned in England because it depicted cruely to animals. It starred Brian Abbot who disappeared at sea not long after filming completed.-External links:* in...
(1936) - Mystery IslandMystery Island (1937 film)Mystery Island is a 1937 Australian film shot almost entirely on location near Lord Howe Island. It stars Brian Abbot and Desmond Hay, who sailed back to the mainland together after filming in a 16-foot open boat and were never heard of again.- Cast :...
(1937)
External links
- Brian Abbot at National Film and Sound ArchiveNational Film and Sound ArchiveThe National Film and Sound Archive is Australia’s audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, maintaining, promoting and providing access to a national collection of audiovisual materials and related items...