THIS SHORT IS one of a series of films made by the VITAPHONE Subsidiary of WARNER BROTHERS Pictures in the early 1930's. The central figure and catalyst that crystallized the productions being made was one Ted Husing. Mr. Husing was the pioneer in the broadcasting game who wrote the book and served as a model for all who would follow.
THE SORT OF star power that Ted possessed was seen many times in the following years in other venues featuring sports writers/commentators now in the spotlight. One only need conjure up images of radio feature s such as: "On the Line with Bob Considine" Or "Howard Cosell, Speaking of Sports to make any valid comparison to those of more recent vintage. (Okay Schultz! We're showing our age! How about names like Bob Costas, Marv Albert and Dan Patrick, how's that?)
AS FOR THIS one reeler of a very short of 8 minute duration, all e can say is that it is truly a mixed bag. Starting out with a demonstration of Backgammon (?) by some expert and enthusiast Walter L. Richard, we shift quickly trick shot bowling with Joe Falcaro and Andy Varipapa. At this point we again shift to yet another athletic subject of Wrestling.
IT IS IN this segment that we see the most action and can identify with. Old-time grappling greats are featured in a couple of demonstrational exhibition matches.
IN THE FIRST 'bout' we have a jiu-jitsu demonstration by martial arts exponent Taro Miyaki* doing his thing vs. huge Russian wrestler Andy Vaninoff; whom Miyaki man-handles with ease. The second pro wrestling session features a young Sammy Stein, who also played in the NFL at this time** against a Texas Cowboy, Cy Williams. The match was in the Catch-as-catch-can style and proves without a doubt that these guys could truly shoot and wrestle. (Maybe they out to try some of this today!)
THE OVERALL EFFECT of this film s one of interest; but is also just a trifle on the boring side. Short subject makers later learned that a little peppier narrative dialogue, befitting incidental music and some better selection of subject matter.
COME ON NOW, Shultz; BACKGAMMON? NOTE: * Taro Miyaki is misspelled as "Terro" Miyaki. He was the real deal in both the Martial Arts as well as in the Pro Wrestling game.
NOTE: ** Sammy Stein not only had played in the National Football League, but was even more successful in Wrestling. He also had a film career having appeared in such titles as: GENTLEMAN JIM (Warner Brothers, 1942), THEY WERE EXPENDABLE (MGM, 1945) and MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (RKO, 1949).
THE SORT OF star power that Ted possessed was seen many times in the following years in other venues featuring sports writers/commentators now in the spotlight. One only need conjure up images of radio feature s such as: "On the Line with Bob Considine" Or "Howard Cosell, Speaking of Sports to make any valid comparison to those of more recent vintage. (Okay Schultz! We're showing our age! How about names like Bob Costas, Marv Albert and Dan Patrick, how's that?)
AS FOR THIS one reeler of a very short of 8 minute duration, all e can say is that it is truly a mixed bag. Starting out with a demonstration of Backgammon (?) by some expert and enthusiast Walter L. Richard, we shift quickly trick shot bowling with Joe Falcaro and Andy Varipapa. At this point we again shift to yet another athletic subject of Wrestling.
IT IS IN this segment that we see the most action and can identify with. Old-time grappling greats are featured in a couple of demonstrational exhibition matches.
IN THE FIRST 'bout' we have a jiu-jitsu demonstration by martial arts exponent Taro Miyaki* doing his thing vs. huge Russian wrestler Andy Vaninoff; whom Miyaki man-handles with ease. The second pro wrestling session features a young Sammy Stein, who also played in the NFL at this time** against a Texas Cowboy, Cy Williams. The match was in the Catch-as-catch-can style and proves without a doubt that these guys could truly shoot and wrestle. (Maybe they out to try some of this today!)
THE OVERALL EFFECT of this film s one of interest; but is also just a trifle on the boring side. Short subject makers later learned that a little peppier narrative dialogue, befitting incidental music and some better selection of subject matter.
COME ON NOW, Shultz; BACKGAMMON? NOTE: * Taro Miyaki is misspelled as "Terro" Miyaki. He was the real deal in both the Martial Arts as well as in the Pro Wrestling game.
NOTE: ** Sammy Stein not only had played in the National Football League, but was even more successful in Wrestling. He also had a film career having appeared in such titles as: GENTLEMAN JIM (Warner Brothers, 1942), THEY WERE EXPENDABLE (MGM, 1945) and MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (RKO, 1949).
