Sadly Over-hyped

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Best movie ever!

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

"Calgary Stampede" is an American English-language documentary from 1948, so this one will have its 70th anniversary already next year. For Elkins, Boxer and Gilmore, this is maybe among their bigger career successes as this one was nominated for an Oscar back then, but lost to Disney. I guess Hollingshead can deal with it given all the other wins he took home at the Academy Awards. This little film here can be split in two parts: The first half is the parade where it certainly helps that this is a color movie indeed thanks to the spectacular costumes you see in there. But it is still a work that is not too great of a watch. It would have been 10 times as much fun to actually be there and the enjoyment does not really manage the transition to the screen. The second half is the reason why I lowered my rating from **/***** to */*****. I couldn't care less about rodeo riding competitions and honestly it did not look animal friendly at all to me on several occasions, which is the key reason why this film gets not just a thumbs-down from me, but a major thumbs-down. Watch something else instead.

NO MATTER HOW impressive the film footage used or the subject covered, we in the now 21st Century are not going to be truly "impressed" by any travel specialty or newsreel. We have been somewhat "spoiled" by the advancements in communications and by the instantaneous gratification provided by a 24-7, 'round the clock coverage of world news by a multitude of cable news channels.IN ORDER TO properly and fairly judge and evaluate such relics of former less technologically developed times, we must do our best in attempting to see things as our ancestors did back in the 1920's, '30's, '40's etc. In this case, it is in the Year of Our Lord 1948. So putting things into perspective we must remember that: It was 3 short years following WWII, Harry Truman was President, Television was in its infancy, this writer (me) was 2 years of age and his wife (Deanna) was born that very year.WITH ALL OF that in mind, we wish now to do our modest attempt at reviewing THE CALGARY STAMPEDE. Is that alright with you, Schultz? WE DID SOME research and found that the "Stampede" is a sort of umbrella title that covers a multitude of activities which all culminate in the Canadian City of Calgary, Alberta during the month of July each year. The origin dates to an Agricultural Commission's efforts to draw populations to the Calgary area.AS A RESULT OF these efforts, the City has been hosting this multifaceted mega-celebration for decades now. The "Stampede" name, of course comes from the Rodeo at center of this activity. But the name permeates the very culture and fabric of life there.FOR EXAMPLE WE have: The Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, the (now defunct) Calgary Stampeders of the World Hockey League and even the local Pro Wrestling Promotion was called Calgary Stampeder Wrestling.WITH ALL OF this considered, all of the seemingly exaggerated portrayals of cultural events in Calgary are real and true. Instead of puffing up the beauty and inherent interest generated, it appears that filming of so much and does not give what is due to such varied events. From American Indian traditional rituals, parades, music, agricultural and the Stampede Rodeo itself, we do know just one thing for sure. A film cannot do justice to events that must be viewed with the naked eye.THE SHORT IS done with the usual expertise in making a concerted effort to make every bit of footage count. None was wasted or could be considered superfluous. The color work was good and the scripted narration was ideally tailored to complement the visuals.AND OF COURSE we must make mention of the guy who so skillfully read those words. I was Art Gilmore. (Ever heard of him, Schultz?)

Calgary Stampede (1948) *** (out of 4)Technicolor short from Warner received an Oscar-nomination for its studio. The film takes a look at a celebration in Calgary where for a week the city pretty much pays respect to its past where indians and outlaws roamed the streets. The documentary centers on the celebrations, which include various games, food, country music, rodeos and even acted out plays. Warner shooting this in Technicolor was a major plus because the life of the city really jumps off the screen and this is especially true during a parade where we get to see all sorts of rather nice visuals. The rest of the stuff is rather hit and miss but there are plenty of nice moments making this a worthy viewing. One of the highlights is a scene where a young cowboy, perhaps two years old, is shaking hands with an Indian chief. It's also worth noting that narrator Art Gilmore states that the food was free at this event, which is certainly interesting to say the least. It's also worth noting that this was Saul Elkins only credit as a director even though he did write several other projects for the studio.

Featured on the Errol Flynn Signature Collection for THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN, this Oscar winning short deals with a nostalgic look back at the early beginnings of Calgary when wagons, stagecoaches, horses and colorful Indians ruled the day. The festivities include square dancing, mock trials for horse thieves, Indian dances and lots of other rituals, but the highlight, for me, was the rodeo where the cowboys roped wild animals in various contests of strength and skill.The early part of the short documentary is a bit on the dull side, but if you stick with it, the action steams up for the rodeo exhibitions with cowboys expertly saddling wild horses or steers and riding competitions on wild horses, all guaranteed to hold the interest.Photographed in color with good narration by Art Gilmore, it's an uneven short subject that alternates between dull and interesting.