
Historic Films Inc
Sharing the past to inspire the future through the creation of The Museum of Motion Picture Journalism and making the rich visual history from the journalists who captured history in motion accessible to everyone.
Universal Newsreel Volume 26, Release 429
Released: January 8, 1953
1. THE WAR IN INDO-CHINA: INDO-CHINA – Latest film from the fighting front in Indo-China, where the bitter struggle between the French and Communist Viet Minh forces enters its 7th year. In a daring amphibious operation, the French land an attacking force behind the Red lines. 2. EUROPE UNION BOOSTED: HOLLAND AND ITALY – The move for a united Europe gains momentum in three West Europe countries, Holland (where another city votes in favor of Union), and along the French-Italian border, where boosters burn border posts in effigy. 3A/B/C. JAPS BOLSTER DEFENSES: JAPAN – Aided by a former foe (the U.S.) Japan strengthen her security forces, adding tanks to her security police, and training planes to her infant Air Force. A sovereign nation works toward goal of national security. / POLIO POSTER KIDS: WASHINGTON – Pres. Truman greets Patricia and Pamela O'Neil, the new March of Dimes Poster Children. Your dimes aided these two youngsters back to health; now they dramatize start of another fund-raising drive. / NATURE STRIKES FRANCE: FRANCE – Floods along the Marne River; snow along the Mediterranean: Nature strikes twin blows at France. The Marne flood is not unexpected, but a blizzard at Marseille really gives people pause. But the kids love every of it. 4. FUTURE FISTIC STARS (?): NEW YORK – Golden gloves preliminaries: Slam-bang action as young ring hopefuls exchange flying fists in a thrill-packed session. Some swift knock-outs, and others take a little longer. But quick or slow, the ring-siders get their thrills worth.
Universal Newsreel Volume 26, Release 511
Released: October 22, 1953
1. MEMORIAL IN KOREA: KOREA – A weeping South Korean President Syngman Rhee joins grieving thousands in a memorial service in Seoul, held for the thirty-four thousand South Koreans who were killed during the last year of the war. 2A/B/C/D/E/F/G. BORDER DAM: MEXICAN BORDER – President Dwight D. Eisenhower joins Mexico's President Ruiz Cortines in dedicating the International $45 million dollar dam on the Rio Grande River. / GENERAL CLARK HAILED: NEW YORK CITY – Three hundred thousand Americans cheer General Mark Clark as he receives a ticker tape welcome and prepares to retire after 40 years of army service. / SUPER SABRE: CALIFORNIA – The Air Force takes the wraps off the F-100, the newest version of the 'Sabre' jet of Korean War fame. Cracking the sound barrier, it breaks nearby windows. / OIL PIPELINE: CANADA – Four miles of a two-thousand-mile pipeline from the Alberta oil fields is laid under the Straits of Mackinac; a spectacular engineering feat. / GREEK ROYALTY: PARIS – King Paul and Queen Fredericka of Greece pause on their trip to the United States to visit relatives of the queen. / GENERAL DEAN MEETS PRESIDENT: WASHINGTON, D.C. – General William Dean, recovered almost completely from his years of Communist captivity in Korea, is received by President Dwight D. Eisenhower while in the Capital awaiting a new assignment. / BONGO BOARD: PALO ALTO, CA – The bongo board is all the rage. All you have to do is to keep the board balanced on a cylinder without breaking an ankle. 3. ITALIAN FASHIONS: ITALY – Among the ancient ruins of Ostia, the newest creations of Italian stylists are displayed by equally modern and beautiful models. 4. A WHIRL WITH THE SQUIRRELS: CALIFORNIA – The only group of tame performing squirrels in the world go through their paces for Misses Florence Hinton, who trained them to do everything from babysitting to acrobatic routines. (LOCAL – INDIANA) HALLRCK OUTLINES GRAND OLD PARTY FARM PLAN. (LOCAL – SAN FRANCISCO) TRIBUTE TO THE TEXTILE COTTON.
Universal Newsreel Volume 27, Release 584
Released: July 5, 1954
1. BRITAIN WELCOMES KING OF SWEDEN: ENGLAND – King Gustav VI and Queen Louise of Sweden are welcomed by Queen Elizabeth and Duke Philip as they arrive for the first state visit of a Swedish monarch in 46 years. Throngs cheer the royal procession to Buckingham Palace. 2. WETBACK ROUND-UP: CALIFORNIA – An intensive "wetback" round-up is the latest episode in the Immigration Department's incessant battle against migrant laborers who illegally ford the Rio Grande to work in the rich farm land around Stockton. 3A/B. HOME-BUILT TRIPLANE: DE PERE, WI – Test flight of a light-weight triplane designed for sale in kit form. Despite its innovations and safety features, the first model barely gets off the ground. / CHINATOWN CAPERS: NEW YORK CITY – Cute capers in Chinatown where 200 tots turn out for a baby beauty contest. All sorts of prizes—for the best-dressed, prettiest—even the cryingest, little Lisa Leong. 4A/B/C. EUROPEAN BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIPS: SPAIN – Finals of the European Billiards Championships in Madrid see Belgium's Stelaert outscore Portugese and Spanish contenders with his clever cue and masterful masse shots. / BABY SWIMMING SCHOOL: HOLLYWOOD, CA – Tiny tykes take to the water before they can toddle in swimming coach Jen Loven's unusual school. She has the months'-old infants paddling like future Olympic stars. / WOMEN SHARPSHOOTERS: SAN PEDRO, CA – Members of the Women's Ordnance Leagues show they're dangerous at either end of a gun, with bull's eye shooting on the target range, and on the judo field turning their teacher into a fall guy.
Universal Newsreel Volume 26, Release 440
Released: February 16, 1953
1. STEVENSON BIDS PARTY GIVE GOP "FAIR TEST": NEW YORK – Adlai Stevenson, Democratic Presidential Candidate, addresses the party's Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner. In his first major speech since the campaign's close, he counsels the party to be an enlightened opposition, and to give Eisenhower's administration a chance to prove itself. 2. CHRISTINE COMES HOME: NEW YORK – Christine Jorgenson, the ex-GI who went to Denmark and changed his/her sex, returns home to a clamorous reception by eager newsmen. 3A/B/C/D. GREEK VETS HOME FROM KOREA: GREECE – Greek soldiers return from service with U.N. forces in Korea. Distinguished for their valor in action, they're greeted by tearful, joyous families and loved ones. / GIRL SCOUTS HONOR FIRST LADY: WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the White House, Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes a member and honorary president of the Girl Scouts of America. / CHINESE NEW YEAR: SAN FRANCISCO – The world's largest Chinatown celebrates New Year, with the traditional Lion Dance, and an un-traditional fashion show from Old Cathay. / MARGI GRAS: NEW ORLEANS – Pre-Lenten gaiety in the Crescent City's famed Mardi Gras. Merry-makers throng the streets in exotic costumes, gaily decorated floats on parade keynote the world-famed carnival. 4. TRACK MEET: NEW YORK – Sport thrills at the 65th AAU indoor track and field championships. In the 60-yard dash, Andy Stanfield is upset by the U. of Penn's John Haines. Close competition in every event keeps the crowd cheering.
Universal Newsreel Volume 27, Release 574
Released: May 31, 1954
1. TOT KIDNAPPED, ABDUCTOR CAPTURED: BURLINGAME, CA – The kidnapping of Kathi Langdon is a two-day sensation as police crack the case and find the tot–held by a man who sought to adopt her. Kathi's parents are divorced, and the case is the more grotesque for the twisted relationships that are the background for Kathi's ordeal. 2A/B/C/D. VIETNAM "POPE" IN FRANCE: FRANCE – Pham Long Tae, "Pope" of Indo-China's Cao Dai sect, which numbers 1½ million followers, arrives in France to plead his country's cause. Co-religionists greet him at the airport. / CONVEYOR CHEERS COMMUTERS: JERSEY CITY – A moving conveyor belt cheers foot sore city commuters, replacing a 227-foot inclined ramp formerly known as "Cardiac Alley," that leads to the tubes under the Hudson. / HEN DERBY: FONTANA, CA – It's the 17th annual Fontana Hen Derby, with the area's champion egg-layers vying for honors. Their eager owners egg the prolific pullets on as scorekeepers keep an eye peeled for foul play. / BLOCKHEADS BLOCK PARTY: SAN JOSE, CA – A new kind of game turns students at San Jose Teacher's College into blockheads. Each player gets a set of blocks of irregular shapes and sizes, the idea being to build as high as possible without taking a tumble. 3. STYLES IN SUITS AND SUDS: NEW YORK – The fashion camera visits McSorley's historic Ale House for a nostalgic look at the good old days–and compare men's styles of today. The bulky clothes of yesteryear stand second best to modern lightweight suits–but the style in suds is much the same. 4A/B. FROG JUMPING CONTEST: ANGELS CAMP, CA – Three hundred assorted croakers are entered in the annual Jumping Frog Jubilee, commemorating Mark Twain's famed yarn. The 1954 session sees a new record–a 16-foot ten-inch leap by "Lucky Lager." / FIRST NEGRO UMPIRE STARS WITH FANS: SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The first Negro umpire in big time baseball is Emmett Ashford, whose vigorous showmanship draws fans cheers. He's popular with players and coaches too–who don't argue decisions. Ashford's booming "Stee-rike" is final. (LOCAL – OKLAHOMA CITY) SENATOR KERR URGES STRONG U.S. (LOCAL – NEW ORLEANS) HILLBILLY HULLABALLOO.
Universal Newsreel Volume 28, Release 713
September 29, 1955
1. BIGGEST CIVIL DEFENSE TEST: PORTLAND, OR – A northwestern metropolis holds the biggest civil defense test ever staged in this country. Within minutes after the alert is sounded, the streets are cleared of traffic, and the populace safely in shelter. 1,000 square blocks are evacuated, a massive task executed. 2A/B/C. BELGIAN PRINCE ARRIVES: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Full military honors greet Belgium's young Prince Albert, brother of King Baudoin, as he arrives in the nation's capital on a nation-wide tour of military, industrial and educational points of the U.S. / DUTCH PARLIAMENT OPENS: HOLLAND – A unique and historic blend of regal pomp and simple democratic dignity, as Queen Juliana officially opens Holland's governing body. Princess Beatrix and Princess Irene are interested spectators as their mother, a nation's beloved Queen, is cheered to the echo. / BIG THREE MEET: NEW YORK CITY – Secretary of State Dulles, British Foreign Minister Harold MacMillen, and French Foreign Minister Antoine Piney discuss Western strategy for their forthcoming Geneva meeting with Foreign Minister Molotov. 3. WORLD SERIES!: NEW YORK CITY – It's New York's twelfth subway series, as the Yankees and Dodgers meet for the World's Championship of baseball. Brooklyn, in quest of its first series victory, opens with big Don Newcombe in the first game, opposed by Whitey Ford of the Yanks. It's an action-filled, 17 hit slug-fest, with homers by Furillo, Snider, Howard, and Collins, and the first game goes to New York, 6-5.
Universal Newsreel Volume 28, Release 704
August 29, 1955
1. OIL BLAZE SWEEPS TOWN: INDIANA – A devastating oil refinery fire rages on days, shattering the town of Whiting with a series of terrific blasts as firemen battle to control the holocaust before millions of gallons of stored gasoline and naphtha add to the inferno. The toll, perhaps $10 million damage, scores injured, and miraculously – only two dead. 2A/B/C. REDS RETURN CAPTAIN'S BODY: KOREA – North Korean Reds return the body of U.S. Capt. Charles W. Brown, shot down 6 days before in an unarmed training plane which strayed into the Red zone. Lt. Guy Bumpass, the pilot, is also freed. / ROYAL FAMILY AT CHURCH BAZAAR: ENGLAND – England's Royal family pitches in at the counters of a church bazaar, Queen Mother, Queen, Duke, Prince, Princess, and all. A Royal smile accompanies every item sold–and sales are brisk. / VIDEO-PHONE DEMONSTRATED: SAN FRANCISCO – Demonstrated for the first time, the videophone, with two-way picture screens enabling the parties to see, as well as speak to, each other. As simple to operate as today's dial phone. 3. FURS AND FASHIONS FOR CHARITY: CALIFORNIA – A swanky showing of fall and winter furs, for sweet charity. Styles presented range from a magnificent $100,000 chinchilla to the newest in mink, in the imposing setting of a fabulous chateau. 4A/B. SPORTS — AUSTRALIA WINS DAVIS CUP: FOREST HILLS – Tennis thrills and drama, as Australian challengers sweep the court series with the American team to regain the coveted international trophy. Smashing, brilliant play by Hoad, Hartwig, and Rosewall proves unbeatable. / WATER SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS: LAKELAND, FL – Aqua-thrills at the National Water Ski Championships, featuring hair-raising tricks while skimming the water at scorching speeds. Butch Rosenberg sets a new jumping mark with an awesome 125-foot leap.
Universal Newsreel Volume 28, Release 691
Released: July 15, 1955
1. IKE'S MESSAGE TO FOREIGN YOUTH: WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Eisenhower, addressing foreign students in the United States voices his hopes for a tranquil future in their lifetime, as he outlines his principles for the Geneva conference. 2A/B/C. INDO CHINA MOP UP: INDO-CHINA – Diem's Nationalist troops trap and clean up the last resistance of the Hoa-Hoa sect not far from Saigon. Thousands of prisoners and weapons are taken after a short and spirited battle. / FIRST AID ACADEMY CLASS: DENVER, CO – Three hundred and six cadets of the first Airforce Academy at Lowry Field are sworn in as members of West Point and Annapolis parade in their honor. / SCALING THE PEAK: MONT BLANC – The towering heights of Mont Blanc, Europe's highest peak are now accessible by a new cable car which travels over scenes of breath-taking mountain wonder. 3A/B/C. A BAER OF A REFEREE: SACRAMENTO, CA – Max Baer, former heavyweight champ, finds himself in a tough spot as he calls a queer one in a little leaguer team game. But size wins out and the little leaguer gets the heave-ho. / AID FOR PRESIDENT: WASHINGTON, D.C. – A veritable who's who in the sports world meets with President Eisenhower to offer their assistance in combating juvenile delinquency by providing sports outlets for youthful energies. / NATIONAL LEAGUE WINS ALL STAR GAME: MILWAUKEE, WI – In a heart stopper, the favored National Leaguers come from behind to win a twelve-inning game when Stan Musial clouts a homer to break the tie.
Universal Newsreel Volume 25, Release 574
Released: June 30, 1952
1. MISS UNIVERSE / FINNISH BLONDE WINS WORLD BEAUTY CROWN: LONG BEACH, CA – The most beautiful girl in the world . . . eighteen-year-old Armi Kuusela, of Finland, chosen from lovelies of thirty nations. Presented with a jeweled crown once worn by an Empress, Miss Universe is the winner of a starring film contract, among other honors. 2A/B. INTERNAL REVENUE POSTS FILLED: NEW YORK – Secretary of the Treasury Snyder inducts three new local district directors, to succeed political incumbents. / NEW JET INTERCEPTOR "STARFIRE," UNVEILED: CALIFORNIA – The "Starfire", our most powerful single-engine plane, is displayed. Radical armament . . . all rockets, no guns . . . and electronic control, to smash any foe. 3A/B. THE WORLD OF SPORTS — WEIGHT LIFTERS SHOW MUSCLES: NEW YORK – Double-barreled event in the grunt and groan category. Olympic hopefuls compete for a berth on the Helsinki team. Winner is John Davis of Brooklyn, undefeated in world competition including last Olympics—for 14 years. Also on agenda—Mr. America contest: Be-muscled he-men ripple their torsos, to the delight of the girls. / OLYMPIC TRIALS: LOS ANGELES – At Olympic team trials, records fall, as top field and track men battle for places on this year's Olympic team. Winners include Mal Whitfield, Harrison Dillard, and other amateur stars. Heartbreak for favored Craig Dixon in the hundred-ten-meter hurdles. He stumbles, falls, at the next to the last hurdles. One of the strongest U.S. teams ever . . . emerges to face Russians for the first time in international competition. (LOCAL – MINNEAPOLIS/CHICAGO) SINGING GOOD-WILL AMBASSADORS.
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