An MGM SPORTS PARADE Short Subject.
The training of a young trotter is observed from the time he's a colt until he competes in his first Grand Circuit race.
This interesting little film explains the basics of harness horse racing, with emphasis on the trotter. The difference between diagonal verses lateral striding is discussed and the various leg & body accouterments are shown.
This was one of the first directing assignments for Jacques Tourneur, who would later make his mark with stylish horror films at RKO. Pete Smith supplies the quirky narration.
Often overlooked or neglected today, the one and two-reel short subjects were useful to the Studios as important training grounds for new or burgeoning talents, both in front & behind the camera. The dynamics for creating a successful short subject was completely different from that of a feature length film, something like writing a topnotch short story rather than a novel. Economical to produce in terms of both budget & schedule and capable of portraying a wide range of material, short subjects were the perfect complement to the Studios' feature films.
The training of a young trotter is observed from the time he's a colt until he competes in his first Grand Circuit race.
This interesting little film explains the basics of harness horse racing, with emphasis on the trotter. The difference between diagonal verses lateral striding is discussed and the various leg & body accouterments are shown.
This was one of the first directing assignments for Jacques Tourneur, who would later make his mark with stylish horror films at RKO. Pete Smith supplies the quirky narration.
Often overlooked or neglected today, the one and two-reel short subjects were useful to the Studios as important training grounds for new or burgeoning talents, both in front & behind the camera. The dynamics for creating a successful short subject was completely different from that of a feature length film, something like writing a topnotch short story rather than a novel. Economical to produce in terms of both budget & schedule and capable of portraying a wide range of material, short subjects were the perfect complement to the Studios' feature films.