Fighting Blood is a 1952 short Australian documentary about boxing in Australia.[1]
| Fighting Blood | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Clive Ross |
| Written by | Tom Gurr |
| Produced by | Ken G. Hall |
| Narrated by | Lloyd Berrell |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 18 mins |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
It included footage of boxers such as Les Darcy, Dave Sands, Jack Hassen, Alfie Clay, Elley Bennett, Freddie Dawson, Vic Patrick, Ron Richards and Fred Henneberry.[2]
The fights shown:[3]
- Les Darcy v. George Chip (1916);
- BUy Bennett v, Vic Elsen;
- Jack Hassen v: Freddie Dawson;
- Ron Richards v. Fred Henneberry;
- Ron Richards v. Gus Lesnevitch;
- Vic Patrick v. Freddie Dawson (Patrick's last bout);
- Dave Sands v. Henry Brlmm.
Release
editThe movie had a season at Sydney's Victory Theatre.[4]
Critical reception
editAccording to the Sydney Morning Herald "one or two boxing critics have made the seditious suggestion that Les Darcy does not show up too well in" the film in the scene where Darcy fights George Chip. "It's true that Darcy looks a boxer of the plain rather than the fancy kind, without any interest in the subtleties ofdefence... The film leaves no doubt that Darcy was a formidable and pug-nacious fellow."[5]
The Adelaide Advertiser called the film "short, but brilliantly produced", and continued, "In 18 minutes' screen time is packed the neatest, crispest KO to the wise acres that could be imagined even by the American movie experts."[6]
The Tribune thought the film glamorised the plight of Aboriginal boxers.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Come out fighting". The Sun. No. 13, 240. New South Wales, Australia. 16 July 1952. p. 34 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved 12 January 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Candid Comment". The Sunday Herald. Sydney. 3 August 1952. p. 2. Retrieved 13 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Fight Newsreel Features Sands". The Age. No. 30, 364. Victoria, Australia. 23 August 1952. p. 10. Retrieved 12 January 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "SPORT NOTEBOOK". The Sun. No. 2569. New South Wales, Australia. 20 July 1952. p. 29. Retrieved 12 January 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Candid Comment". The Sunday Herald (Sydney). No. 184. New South Wales, Australia. 3 August 1952. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "World of Sport". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 27 August 1952. p. 8. Retrieved 13 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Stop boxing rackets now". Tribune. No. 755. New South Wales, Australia. 27 August 1952. p. 8. Retrieved 12 January 2024 – via National Library of Australia.