Cover image for Charles Wolnizer and Island Film Services
Agency:
Charles Wolnizer and Island Film Services
Agency Number:
Start Date:
01 Jan 1922
End Date:
01 May 2015
Description:
Charles Edward Wolnizer (? - May 2015) was the youngest son of William Christian Arthur and Agnes Lily (formerly Lee) Wolnizer. There were 8 children in the family. The Wolnizers lived in Shanghai for some time before coming to Australia. William spent time in the Shanghai Volunteer Corps, possibly in the Jewish company, along with at least two of his sons, Benjamin and John. ;;The family had moved to Tasmania by 1943.;;Charles founded Island Film Services Pty Ltd (Island Films) in 1959. The business operated from 123 Park Street, Hobart. Among the staff working there were Bertram Wicks, Esca Cramp, K. Sharp, H. Steine and Mervyn Gray. Island Film Services was involved primarily in documentary production and advertising.;;Known documentaries include - Train of the Mountains, Weekend at Cradle Mountain, Five South West, Hillary Ventures South, They Swim to Fame and Racing Axes.;;Wolnizer produced "They Found a Cave" (1962) which was the first Tasmanian children's screen drama; it won the best children's film at Venice and was a joint production of Island Films and Visatone Pty Ltd.;;Island State Films went into receivership and was wound up by 1968.;;Charles Wolnizer moved to Sydney and subsequently to Melbourne and continued his career in film production - e.g. producer for Daisy and Simon (1988);;Charles Wolnizer married twice and had two sons - one of whom, Duncan Wolnizer (1948-2014) also worked in film production.;;;;
Information Sources:
The Jewish Company of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps, 1932-42 by Martin Sugarman; Company file - SC331/1/13099; Sydney Morning Herald 7 May 2015 and Tasmanian Electoral Rolls.
Functions Performed:
Arts and culture
Anton and Nan Chauncy and Family (NG1270)01 Jan 1900

Esca Charles Cramp (NG1823)01 Jan 192001 Jan 1964