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Sports Parade

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Sports Parade (a.k.a. “The Sport Parade”) was a short film series of Warner Bros. that was regularly shown before the main studio feature, along with another Warner-Vitaphone short, Joe McDoakes comedy and/or Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. The average running time of each film was between nine and eleven minutes.

Overview

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Virtually all of these were filmed in Technicolor. (A few early ones used Cinecolor as it gradually replaced the Vitaphone Color Parade on Warner’s short subject program.) This gave them an advantage over rival series like Paramount Sportlights with Grantland Rice, Columbia World of Sports, RKO Pathé Sportscopes, Universal Variety Views, and MGM Pete Smith “Football Thrills”, which used color sparingly for special entries. Warner’s most prolific competitor in Technicolor live-action shorts, 20th Century-Fox, produced only 20 out of 100+ Movietone Sports Reviews from the late thirties through early fifties in color. In the era before television, it was considered more economical to shoot in black and white like the newsreels.

Although Warner Bros. separated this series from its less sports-oriented series Technicolor Adventure (film series) during the later 1940s, many post-war Sports Parades resembled high quality color travelogues of the period, showcasing a variety of recreational pursuits in the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Egypt, India and Australia. André de la Varre supervised many of the best international productions, while Edwin E. Olsen and ski expert Dick Durrance were particularly skilled at using hand-held cameras for up-front action shots. Howard Hill specialized in archery and Van Campen Heilner handled many fishing and camping reels for both Warner and studio rival RKO. Despite lacking high profile sports news commentators, key radio veterans like Art Gilmore and Marvin Miller put a lot of energy and enthusiasm into their narration.

The series won three Academy Awards and was nominated three other times. Despite being phased out in 1956, they were successfully reissued throughout the sixties since many of the topics had a timeless appeal and were always popular at the box office.

List of titles

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Below is a listing of titles by year of release, listed by title / major credits / release date / notes of interest. Only a few have made DVD release.

1940

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Football Highlights (Football Thrills) De Leon Anthony; narrator: Wendell Niles August 31 (preview) Overview of newsreel clips includes scenes with Knute Rockne (some footage in black & white)
Fly Fishing Dick Miller & Del Frazier; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Wendell Niles September 21
Diary of a Racing Pigeon producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Del Frazier; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning November 30 birds showcased
California Thoroughbreds director: Del Frazier; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Wendell Niles December 22

1941

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Fight, Fish, Fight Bob Edge (director); music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Wendell Niles March 1 Hunting marlin in New Zealand
Sky Sailing music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning April 19 Covers sport of gliding
Big Bill Tilden producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Del Frazier; music: William Lava; narrator: John Deering May 24 Tennis reel with Bill Tilden
Sail Ho co-produced by Cinesound Productions; director: Del Frazier; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning June 14 Following a sailor in Australia
It Happens on Rollers director: Del Frazier; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning July 12 Features Gloria Nordskog
Lions for Sale producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Del Frazier; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning August 9 Sometimes billed as a “Color Parade”, filmed in a two-color process. Covers lions trained for circuses. On DVD for Sergeant York.
Kings of the Turf producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Del Frazier; writer: Harold Medford; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning September 27 Covers Mortimer, a horse, being trained for harness racing. Nominee for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. Included on DVD of The Great Lie.
Water Sports director: Del Frazier; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning November 1 Shot mostly at Beverly Hills pool
King Salmon director: Del Frazier; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning December 20 Profiles the fish life cycle.

1942

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Rodeo Roundup director: Del Frazier; music: Howard Jackson January 31 Features Montie Montana
Hunting Dogs at Work director: Del Frazier; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning February 20
Shoot Yourself Some Golf producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Del Frazier; music: William Lava April 4 Jimmy Thomson instructs Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman. DVD release with Gentleman Jim (film)
Rocky Mountain Big Game director: Bob Edge; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning May 2 Hiking in the Rockies, terrain of the bighorn sheep. DVD release Captains of the Clouds
Hatteras Honkers director: Del Frazier; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning June 6 Fishing at Cape Hatteras
A Hunter's Paradise director: Del Frazier; narrator: Knox Manning July 11 Covers jaguar and other wildlife in Matto Grasso (Brazil).
Argentine Horses director: Del Frazier; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning August 8
Sniffer Soldiers director: Del Frazier; music: William Lava September 12 Training U.S. Army dogs at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, Los Angeles.
South American Sports directors: Del Frazier & James Bloodworth; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning October 17 Mostly covering Argentina
The Right Timing director: Del Frazier; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore October 31 Showcases USC athletes in training. A DVD extra with Gentleman Jim (film)
America's Battle of Beauty music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning & Sidney Blackmer November 21 Travelogue comparing California with Florida in their recreational pursuits.
Horses! Horses! Horses! music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning December 26

1943

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Cuba, Land of Adventure and Sport music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning January 16 vintage Cuba recreation
Women in Sports director: Del Frazier; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning February 20
Sporting Dogs music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning March 20
With Rod and Reel on Anticosti Island producer: A. Pam Blumenthal; director: Van Campen Heilner; music: Howard Jackson May 1 Canadian fishing reel shot at Anticosti Island
Rover's Rangers director: Larry Lansburgh; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore May 22 Working dogs in agriculture and the Red Cross.
Grey, White and Blue producer: A. Pam Blumenthall; director: Van Campen Heilner; music: William Lava; narrator: Lou Marcelle June 19 Profiles geese and other wildlife in Mississippi, Sacramento Valley and Cape Hatteras
Snow Sports producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore July 24 Sports at Lake Placid, New York
Dude Ranch Buckaroos producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Arnold Albert; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Lou Marcelle August 14 Horse-riding and lassoing in California
Tropical Sportland producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Sidney Blackmer October 9 Florida travelogue
Desert Playground producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Arnold Albert; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore November 13 Tour of Palm Springs, California

1944

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Into the Clouds director: James Bloodworth; music: William Lava; narrator: Lou Marcelle January 1 Ski troops train at Camp Hale and Mount McKinley.
Baa, Baa, Blacksheep producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning January 22 Montana ranching
Dogie Roundup producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning February 26 Montana ranching
Chinatown Champs producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner; director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning March 18 Tour of Chinatown, San Francisco
Backyard Golf producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner; director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning April 22
Mexican Sportland Luis Osorno Barona; narrator: Knox Manning May 13 Mexico travelogue
Filipino Sports Parade Howard Hill; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning June 17 Howard Hill makes an appearance with ex-natives training at Camp Cook in California.
Cattlemen's Days producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner; director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning June 24 Rodeo reel
Colorado Trout producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner; director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Sam Balter July 1
Bluenose Schooner National Film Board of Canada directed by: Eduard Buckman & Douglas Sinclair; music: Rex Dunn August 4 Canadian release: December 1943. Initially 20 minutes but cut down to one-reel. Covers a Nova Scotia fishing fleet.
Champions of the Future Howard Hill; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Sam Balter November 18 Covers children and sports
California, Here We Are music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning December 18 travelogue
Cuba Calling producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & André de la Varre; director: Van Campen Heilner; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Sam Balter December 23 Cuba recreation
The Birds and the Beasts Were There producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner: director: André de la Varre; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning December 30 Covers Jungle Island in Miami, Florida

1945

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Glamour in Sports producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner: director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning January 13 Covers female athletes at Rollins College (Florida)
Bikes and Skis producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner: director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Sam Balter February 10 Tour of Cypress Gardens (Florida)
Swimcapades producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner: director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning April 7 Silver Springs, Florida
Water Babies producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner: director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson May 19 Children sports in Florida
Mexican Sea Sports producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Luis Osorno Barona; music: Rex Dunn May 26 Filmed in Acapulco
Bahama Sea Sports producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & André de la Varre: Van Campen Heilner; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning June 23 Bahamas spear fishing
Flivver Flying producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Randolph Clarity; music: Rex Dunn June 30 Contrasts new and antique planes and autos.
Sports Go to War producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & André de la Varre; director: Van Campen Heilner; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning September 29 Focus is on Canadian soldiers in training
Arabians in the Rockies producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner: director: André de la Varre; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning December 15 horse reel
Days of '76 producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner: director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Roger Q. Denny December 22 Covers a festival at Deadwood, South Dakota

1946

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Cavalcade of Archery Howard Hill; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning January 12 Howard Hill demonstrates his archery skills. An extra on the two-disc version of The Adventures of Robin Hood (film) DVD.
Holiday On Horseback producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner: director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning February 2 Hiking in the Colorado Rockies
Michigan Ski-Daddle producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & Van Campen Heilner: director: André de la Varre; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning February 9 Shot at Lake Macatawa
With Rod and Gun in Canada producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & André de la Varre; director: Van Campen Heilner; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning March 16
Snow Eagles producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & André de la Varre; director: Van Campen Heilner; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning March 30 skiing in Canada's Laurentian Mountains
Let's Go Gunning producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & André de la Varre; director: Van Campen Heilner; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning April 6
Fin 'N Feathers producers: A. Pam Blumenthal & André de la Varre; director: Van Campen Heilner; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning April 27 Canadian duck and pheasant hunting
Facing Your Danger producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Edwin E. Olsen & De Leon Anthony; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Knox Manning May 11 (© December 23, 1945); Riding the white rapids of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Won Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film and included as an extra with the DVD Deception (1946 film)
Underwater Spearfishing producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Frederick J. McEvoy; music: Howard Jackson & Maxwell; narrator: Knox Manning May 18 (© December 27, 1945) Filmed in Acapulco
The Riding Hannefords producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Edwin E. Olsen; music: Howard Jackson June 29 Covers a circus family
Beach Days André de la Varre & Saul Elkins; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning July 13 Comic reel of recreation
Ranch in White André de la Varre & Del Frazier; music: Howard Jackson & Vaughan; narrator: Knox Manning August 3 Nebraska horse ranch
The Dominion of Sports Van Campen Heilner; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning August 31 Canadian travelogue
King of the Everglades André de la Varre; music: Rex Dunn September 14 Florida reptiles and critters handled by expert Ross Allen
The Lazy Hunter Howard Hill; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning October 26 Tracking coyote and hawk
Las Vegas, Frontier Town music: Howard Jackson December 20 (preview; wide release November 1, 1947)

1947

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Let's Go Swimming producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Frederick Richards; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore January 4
Battle of Champs producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Edward E. Olson; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning January 18 Unusual golf game is played by Howard Hill, Lou Novikoff and Dick Muller
American Sports Album producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning March 8
Arrow Magic Charles Trego & Aude Vail; music: Howard Jackson March 22
Harness Racing Harry O. Hoyt; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning May 3
Flying Sportsman in Jamaica producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Truman Bradley) May 17 Specifically cricket and rafting
A Day at Hollywood Park Harry O. Hoyt; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning June 7 horse racing (filmed 1946) The Story of Seabiscuit DVD
Tennis Town producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Saul Elkins; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning June 21 With the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association (1946)
Sportsman's Playground producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Truman Bradley July 5 Caribbean tour
Carnival of Sports producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: Rex Dunn; narrator: Truman Bradley August 23 Sports in Venezuela
Fishing the Florida Keys Joseph Gibson; music: Rex Dunn September 27
A Trip To Sportland producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Truman Bradley December 2 Travelogue of Chile
Action in Sports producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Truman Bradley December 13 Covers Peru

1948

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Sun Valley Fun producer: Gordon Hollingshead; Charles Tedford (writer); music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore February 14 Sun Valley, Idaho (Filmed May 1947)
Ride, Ranchero, Ride producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Roger Sumner; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Truman Bradley March 20 Covers California’s Los Rancheros visitadores
Holiday For Sports producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Truman Bradley April 17 Horse-racing in Argentina (mostly filmed in 1946)
Fighting Athletes producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Saul Elkins; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore May 1 Sports in the India Army
Built For Speed producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Robert Adams; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning June 5 Covers midget auto racing (in 1947)
The Race Rider Harry O. Hoyt; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning June 19 Shots of jockeys in training
A Nation on Skis Douglas Sinclair; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Truman Bradley July 31 tour of Norway
Playtime in Rio Charles Tedford; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Truman Bradley August 17 Views of the Cariocas of Rio de Janeiro
Sitzmarks the Spot Associated Screen News of Canada; director: Gordon Sparling September (Canada); March 11, 1950 (US) Ski reel initially released as a “Canadian Cameo”
Sports Down Under director: Arthur Collins; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Truman Bradley September 19 Australia travelogue (filmed April 1947)
Gauchos of the Pampas producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Owen Crump; story: Charles L. Tedford; music: William Lava; narrator: Truman Bradley October 9 Filmed in Uruguay's San Pedro O'Timore ranch (filmed mostly in 1946)
Sportsmen of the Far East producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning December 18 Scenic tour of Bombay.
Cinderella Horse producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Harry O. Hoyt; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore December 26 (preview) Tale of a thoroughbred. Nominee for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film

1949

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Royal Duck Shoot producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: William Lava; narrator: Marvin Miller January 22 More India travelogue footage with the Maharajah of Bharatpur State
Water Wonderland producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford & Virgil Ellsworth; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore March 5 shot at Newport Beach, California
Sport of Millions producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Knox Manning March 25 Clips of horse races
English Outings producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Edwin E. Olsen; story: Charles Tedford; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Marvin Miller May 14 Covers British dog trials, horse racing and the regatta.
Dude Rancheroos producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: story: Charles Tedford; Rex Steele (editor); music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore June 4 rodeo reel
Highland Games producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Marvin Miller July 2 Tour of Scotland in 1948.
Daredevils on Wheels producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Marvin Miller July 23 Profiles British motorcycles.
Water Wizards producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Saul Elkins & André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore August 6
Sports Old and New (Cavalcade of Egyptian Sports) producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: William Lava; narrator: Knox Manning August 20 Shot in Egypt
Hunting the Fox John McManus & David Henry Ahlers; music: William Lava September 2 Filmed in England (1948)
The Little Archer producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Patsie Sinkey; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Marvin Miller October 8 4-year old Melvin Beebe shows his archery skill. Included on Johnny Belinda (1948 film) DVD
King(s) of the Rockies producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore November 19 Horse ranching
Happy Holidays producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Ted Stauffer; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore December 10 Tour of Acapulco

1950

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Let's Go Boating producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore January 21
That's Bully producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore February 18 Covers San Fermin festival in Pamplona (Spain) and the running of the bulls. (filmed 1948)
This Sporting World producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore March 25 compilation reel
Cowboy's Holiday Associated Screen News of Canada; director: Gordon Sparling May (Canada); November 3 (US) Rodeo reel initially released as a “Canadian Cameo”
Alpine Champions producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Charles Tedford; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore May 6 Switzerland skiing
Riviera Days director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore June 3 Tour of France and Monaco.
Racing Thrills Gordon Hollingshead; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore July 8 Florida horse-racing
Champions of Tomorrow music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore August 19 Covers 1949 gymnastics at San Fernando
Grandad of Races producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore September 2 Profiles the famous Palio horse race of Siena (Italy) held in July (1949). Won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film An extra with the DVD for The West Point Story (film).
Wild Water Champions producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore September 2 Profiles kayak racing in Steyr AUG, Australia
Paddle Your Own Canoe music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore October 21 Visiting the Taylor Statten Camps in Ontario, where Carl Laurier demonstrates his skills.

1951

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Ski in the Sky Associated Screen News of Canada; director: Gordon Sparling; narrator: Dwight Weist January 13 Ski reel initially released as a “Canadian Cameo”
The Will to Win Harry O. Hoyt; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore February 24 Features jockey Gordon Glisson
Rocky Eden Associated Screen News of Canada April 7 National Parks tour of Canada, shot in AnscoColor initially released as a “Canadian Cameo”
Hawaiian Sports Carl Dudley; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore May 12 Highlight is surfing
Making Mounties Associated Screen News of Canada; director: Gordon Sparling; narrator: Lamont Tilden June 14 Initially released as a “Canadian Cameo” in AnscoColor
Kings of the Outdoors music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore August 18 horse reel
Glamour in Tennis producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Miklos Dora & André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson September 6 Features Nancy Chaffee
Art of Archery Howard Hill; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore October 6
Every Dog Has His Day music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore December 22 Profiles various working breeds, some footage recycled from earlier shorts.

1952

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Dutch Treat in Sports producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore February 2 Special focus on Netherlands horse-racing
Emperor's Horses producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore March 1 tour of Vienna and the Lipizzaner
Switzerland Sportland producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore May 10 Switzerland travelogue includes rowing in Lucene and gymnastics.
Centennial Sports producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Arthur Collins; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore June 28 Profiles the Canterbury Games of New Zealand
Snow Frolics producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore July 26 Canadian sports-reel shot in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
Just for Sport producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; narrator: Art Gilmore August 23
They Fly through the Air producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Owen Crump; music: Howard Jackson October 4 Covers parachute testing at Naval Air Facility El Centro
Unfamiliar Sports producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore November 1
Fiesta for Sports producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore December 20 More in Argentina
Desert Killer producer: Gordon Hollingshead; director: Larry Lansburgh; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore December 25 (preview; general release June 27, 1953) Marvin Glenn tracks a sheep-killing cougar in the Arizona Chiricahua. Nominee for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. A DVD extra on Starlift (TCM Doris Day Collection).

1953

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Sporting Courage Dick Durrance; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore January 31 Profiles handicapped skiers in Austria
Birthplace of Hockey Douglas Sinclair; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore February 28 More Canadian winter sports
Cheyenne Days David Goodnow; music: Howard Jackson & William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore April 4 Frontier Days Celebration in Wyoming
Yoho Wonder Valley National Film Board of Canada; director: John Olsen & Roger Blais May 9 (US, Canadian release in 1951) rare black and white entry is a Canadian import, part of Warner’s “Canadian Cameo” series initially.
Ride a White Horse producer: Cedric Francis; director: Owen Crump; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore July 25 Covers Nevada’s White Horse Ranch
Danish Sport Delights producer: Cedric Francis; director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore July 25 first in WarnerColor. Spotlighting a sailing regatta at Kolding (Denmark), bicycle racing at Aarhus and festivals in Ringsted and Sønderborg
Heart of a Champion producer: Cedric Francis; director: Edwin E. Olsen & Joseph Burnham; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Sam Balter December 26 Trainer Tom Blackison aids an injured race horse to victory.

1954

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Born to Ski producer Cedric Francis; director: John Roberts & Clayton Ballou; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Marvin Miller January 16 Profile of Andrea Mead Lawrence
When Fish Fight producer Cedric Francis; director: Alfred Glassel Jr.; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore February 20 Shot in New Zealand
Carnival in Rio producer Cedric Francis; director: André de la Varre; story: Owen Crump; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore April 24 Festivals in Rio de Janeiro
Off to the Races! producer Cedric Francis; director: Charles Tedford; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore June 28 Compilation reel of past shorts (Greyhounds, soap box derby and the Palio horse race of Siena included)
G.I. Holiday producer Cedric Francis; director: Dick Durrance; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore July 25 Shot in the Bavarian Alps
Circus on Ice Associated Screen News of Canada; director: Gordon Sparling; narrator: Ken Davey September Initially released as a “Canadian Cameo”, covering the 40th annual of the Toronto Skating Club.
Royal Mounties Douglas Sinclair; music: William Lava; narrator: Marvin Miller September 19 Filmed in Ontario (1953)
Sea Sports of Tahiti producer Cedric Francis; director: William Whitman; music: William Lava; narrator: Marvin Miller October 24 Tahiti travelogue
Rodeo Roundup producer Cedric Francis; Charles Tedford (director); music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore December 11

1955

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Silver Blades producer Cedric Francis: director: André de la Varre; music: William Lava; narrator: Art Gilmore January 15 Visiting the huge ski rink in Vienna, Austria
Caribbean Playgrounds producer Cedric Francis; director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore February 18 Fishing, swimming and other sports in Puerto Rica, Jamaica and other areas.
Football Royal producer Cedric Francis: director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Marvin Miller March 19 A 16th century ballgame is performed in Florence
Riviera Revalries producer Cedric Francis: director: André de la Varre; story: Owen Crump; music: Howard Jackson May 21 Tour of French Riviera
Italian Holiday Hamilton Wright; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore July 9
Aqua Queens producer Cedric Francis: director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore August 6 Water skiing in Florida
Picturesque Portugal James A. Fitzpatrick; narrator: Marvin Miller October 15 Filmed in 1952 and edited between FitzPatrick’s move from MGM’s Traveltalks to Paramount (for his VistaVision series)

1956

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Title Major credits Release date Notes
Fish Are Where You Find Them producer Cedric Francis: director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Art Gilmore January 14 Shots include Germany, Florida, the Andes and Austria
Green Gold Hamilton Wright; story: Owen Crump; music: Howard Jackson February 18 Tour of Ecuador.
Crashing the Water Barrier co-producer: Robert Youngson; director: Konstantin Kaiser; narrator: Knox Manning March 17 Donald Campbell strives to break 200 miles on Lake Mead, Nevada on November 16, 1955. Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film
The Sporting Irish producer Cedric Francis: director: André de la Varre; music: Howard Jackson; narrator: Marvin Miller July 21 Horse races in Ireland

See also

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References

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  • Liebman, Roy Vitaphone Films – A Catalogue of the Features and Shorts 2003 McFarland & Company
  • Motion Pictures 1912-1939 Catalog of Copyright Entries 1951 Library of Congress
  • Motion Pictures 1940-1949 Catalog of Copyright Entries 1953 Library of Congress
  • Motion Pictures 1950-1959 Catalog of Copyright Entries 1960 Library of Congress
  • BoxOffice back issue scans