Alfred Rolfe (director)

Alfred Rolfe, real name Alfred Roker (1862– 9 September 1943), was an Australian film director and actor, best known for being the son-in-law of the celebrated actor-manager Alfred Dampier, with whom he appeared frequently on stage, and for his prolific output as a director during Australia's silent era, including Captain Midnight, the Bush King (1911), Captain Starlight, or Gentleman of the Road (1911) and The Hero of the Dardanelles (1915). Only one of his films as director survives today.

Rolfe started as an actor. He was born in Ballarat and joined Charles Holloway's acting company, where he acted alongside Richard Stewart and Essie Jenyns.

In 1888 he toured New Zealand in George Darrell's company.

He then joined the Alfred Dampier Company in 1890, first appearing in Robbery Under Arms. He mostly played smaller parts but i 1892 was promoted to the role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. The following year Rolfe married Dampier's daughter Lily. Rolfe acted opposite his wife and father-in-law numerous times around the country throughout the 1890s and early 1900s, most commonly playing juvenile leads.

In November 1897, Rolfe sailed for London with his wife and her parents. While there they managed to get work in two plays which toured all over the country and ended up staying for twelve months.

They returned in 1899 and rejoined the Alfred Dampier Company. Among the plays Rolfe most frequently appeared in opposite his wife and father in law were The Bush King, Robbery Under Arms, and East Lynne.

According to New Zealand's Stage magazine, Rolfe "is an actor of brilliancy on a somewhat wide range, a little overshadowed, perhaps, by the stars with whom he has been so long associated, but by no means obscured."

In February 1907 Rolfe left for London with Lily Dampier and her parents once again. Once again, they worked for a period over there. Alfred Dampier came home, seriously ill, meaning his company was unable to continue. Rolfe was reported as "walking through his vast estates, plantations, and so on" in his spare time. He and Lily also briefly took over the lead in a play with another company. Dampier died in May 1908.

In early 1909, Rolfe was credited as "general manager" on a series of advertisements throughout New South Wales for a £5,000 film depicting the fight between Tommy Burns and Jack Johnson. It is possible this meant Rolfe directed the movie, or was in charge of its distribution.

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