This 1949 film by RKO Radio Pictures details the 75th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs (:42) in Louisville, Kentucky, hosts this Diamond Jubilee (1:02) for three-year old thoroughbreds. The names of each “run for the roses” winner are displayed (1:05), beginning with Aristides from May 17, 1875.
Colonel Martin “Matt” Winn (1:11), president of Churchill Downs, has witnessed every Kentucky Derby. Footage of Derby winners is shown: 1918 Exterminator (1:44); 1930 Gallant Fox, jockey Earl Sande’s third win (1:54); the disputed 1933 Brokers Tip (2:13); and 1941 Whirlaway’s record time (2:24). Colonel Winn meets with his staff (2:41) to choose 20 horses from 113 nominations who paid entry fees: a $50 subscription fee and $1000. There are only 40,000 reserved seat tickets (3:32). The Publicity department bustles (3:34) and the superintendent supervises workers (3:52).
The gold Derby cup studded with diamonds is displayed at Lemon & Son (4:23). A Western Union telegram is stamped “No Reservations” (4:41). The pre-race favorite horse, Olympia, arrives by charter plane (4:44). Ponder, lesser known, eats grass (5:05). Horses run on the track during early morning workouts (5:17), timed by onlookers. A jockey falls off (5:43) as sportswriters interview trainers (5:54). The train blackboard shows on-time arrivals (6:13) as the Texas & Pacific RY (6:20) arrives and passengers disembark. Special Greyhound busses (6:35) and a Trans World airplane (6:41) arrive. Hotel lobbies are full of luggage (6:51) as maids make beds in a dormitory-style room (6:55).
Men, women, and servants read about the Derby (7:11). A betting pool draws names from a hat (7:28). The Pendennis Club’s (7:40) guests arrive. On Derby eve, there are hotel dinner parties (7:48). Sportswriters attend the annual Churchill Downs press party (7:59). Kingsley Walker florists make the winner’s red rose blanket and jockey’s bouquet (8:32). The Kentucky Colonels, a philanthropic organization, dine (8:42). A jug band plays (9:41). Neon signs light the night (9:58). Security checks on the dark stables (10:08) as workers sing acapella (10:20). Dawn arrives on May 7, 1949 (10:37). The Kentucky National Guard (10:49) arrives. H M Stevens food trucks are unloaded (11:02). Mint juleps are served in glasses Imprinted with Colonel Winn’s face (11:14). A horse-drawn wagon (11:26) leaves for the Derby. The gates open (11:47) and boys offer infield stools. Special firemen and policemen go to their posts (12:00) as waiters check in (12:19). A Fort Knox army unit marches (12:24) while outside traffic jams (12:40). Motion picture and TV camera crews set up (13:19). Clem McCarthy now provides the voiceover (13:32). The official brochure (13:36), the 100,000+ crowd, and the jockeys (13:45) getting ready are shown. The bugle call for rider’s up is sounded (14:18) and “My Old Kentucky Home” plays as the horses are loaded into the starting gate. And they’re off! (16:09). Olympia leads until the last turn as Ponder unexpectedly moves from last place to first, winning by three lengths. Ponder’s board is added to Churchill Downs (17:28).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com
3 дек 2017
