The Flaming Torch (1954)
"The Bob Mathias Story" (original title)

California school boy and Stanford University student Bob Mathias was the first man to win two Olympic Gold Medals in the Decathlon in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics. The film begins with him ... See full summary »

Director:

Francis D. Lyon

Writer:

Richard Collins

Stars:

Bob Mathias, Ward Bond, Melba Mathias

Cast

Credited cast:
Bob Mathias	...	Bob Mathias
Ward Bond	...	Coach Jackson
Melba Mathias	...	Melba Mathias
Howard Petrie	...	Dr. Charles Mathias
Ann Doran	...	Mrs. Lillian Mathias
Diane Jergens	...	Pat Mathias
Paul Bryar	...	Bill Andrews
Anne Kimbell	...	Sally
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Frank Gifford	...	Frank Gifford, Stanford vs. USC game (archive footage)

Storyline

California school boy and Stanford University student Bob Mathias was the first man to win two Olympic Gold Medals in the Decathlon in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics. The film begins with him as a 17-year-old schoolboy in Tulare, California where his high school track coach, played by Ward Bond, encourages him to train for the Olympics, with the Dacathlon in mind. His story, far from over, ends here with his victory in the 1952 Olympics and with Mathias in the U.S. Marine Corps. He and his wife, Melba, play themselves in one of the few movie bios that doesn't play fast and loose with the facts, especially in a bio with the subject playing himself.

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Plot Keywords:

olympics | decathlon | track and field | autobiographical | character name in title

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Flaming Torch

Filming Locations:

Tulare, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allied Artists Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in You Bet Your Life: Episode #4.33 (1954)

User Reviews

Interesting

This biographical account of Bob Mathias's life up to and including his Olympic gold medals is more like a documentary or "real-life" TV show than anything else.

Track & Field enthusiasts will find it interesting. You certainly can't complain that the scenes of Mathias competing aren't realistic, seeing as he plays himself!