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