In Melbourne, Gibson initially worked for William Johnson & Son as a chemist. Gibson's foray into the film industry began through his work with William Johnson's son, Millard Johnson. Together, they expanded their interests from chemical supply to film exhibition, quickly establishing themselves as key players in the burgeoning film industry in Australia. Their success in exhibition naturally led them to explore other areas of the industry, including film processing and photography.
The Story of the Kelly Gang One of Gibson's most notable achievements was his involvement in the production of
The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906), which is widely regarded as the world's first feature-length film. The film was a groundbreaking project that depicted the life of the infamous Australian outlaw
Ned Kelly and his gang. Gibson and Millard Johnson played a crucial role in the production of this historic film, collaborating with the
Tait brothers to bring the project to fruition. The success of
The Story of the Kelly Gang marked a significant milestone in cinematic history and laid the foundation for future feature films.
Amalgamated Pictures and the Formation of Australasian Films Following the success of
The Story of the Kelly Gang, Gibson and Johnson, along with the Tait brothers, formed Amalgamated Pictures. This company was one of the earliest film production and distribution companies in Australia, playing a pivotal role in the development of the Australian film industry. As the film industry grew, Amalgamated Pictures merged with several other companies to form
Australasian Films and
Union Theatres. This merger created the famous "Combine," a powerful entity that dominated the distribution and exhibition landscape in Australia during the 1920s. The Combine was instrumental in shaping the Australian film industry, ensuring that locally produced films reached a wide audience.
Australasian Films Gibson served as the managing director of Australasian Films and Union Theatres, overseeing the company's operations during a period of significant growth and consolidation within the industry. Under his leadership, the Combine maintained a stronghold over Australian film distribution and exhibition, making it a central figure in the nation's cultural life. == Legacy ==