Jock Docs: Football
/Wednesday, September 29th, 7:30pm
June 17th, 1994
Dir. Brett Morgen, 51 minutes, 2010
So what’s the big deal about June 17th, 1994? Well, it was the day that Arnold Palmer played his last round ever at the U.S. Open, the day that the World Cup opened in Chicago, the day the Rangers celebrated winning the Stanley Cup, the day the Knicks played Game Five of the NBA finals against the Houston Rockets, the day Ken Griffey Jr. tied Babe Ruth for the most home runs hit before June 30th, and—oh yeah—the day O.J. Simpson was charged with double homicide and fled through the streets of Los Angeles in a white Bronco. The Simpson story dominated the day, though the major networks and ESPN covered everything else that was going on as well, while jumping back to L.A. for frequent updates. For June 17, 1994 Bret Morgen starts in the morning and rolls forward, showing how the various stories piled up on top of each other and even commented on each other.
Special Guest: ESPN Producer Mark Durand
Thursday, September 30th, 7:30pm
Beauty Knows No Pain
Dir. Eliott Erwitt (1971) 25 minutes.
In 1940, the Kilgore College Rangerettes became the first dancing drill team in the nation. They have been performing at half-time shows during college football games ever since. The first director of the program, Miss Gussie Nell Davis, oversaw the Rangerettes for forty years before retiring in 1979. In 1971 filmmakers caught Miss Davis overseeing the summer camp, where young girls work hard in the hopes of finding a coveted spot in this elite cheerleading group. Beauty Knows No Pain is a film about the young ladies who come from all over the country to compete in a two-week drill, knowing that not all of them will make the cut. Through the difficult but rewarding process, Miss Davis tries to imbue her charges with enthusiasm, energy, and a non-stop smile. The latter part of the film focuses on one member from North Dakota, who, in her second year, has embodied all of the spirit the Rangerettes represent. At the end of the two week camp, the girls gather to see who is in, who has been chosen as an alternate, and who will go home unfulfilled. The girls meet their triumph and disappointment with shrieks and tears.
NFL Films:
THE YOUNG, THE OLD, AND THE BOLD, 1969, 9 min.
The Young, The Old and the Bold, where NFL Films examines the quarterback position with profiles of some of the greatest passers ever to play the game; and Lombardi, a profile of the legendary Green Bay Packers head coach with unprecedented access to the man and his team.
AUTUMN RITUAL
(1986, 45 minutes)
Anthropologists, theologians, philosophers, coaches and players offer a startling perspective as they analyze ancient myths and rituals and explain their influence on the game today. A study of men in groups, of ancient magic and modern superstition, of religion and passion, and of the rites of combat. It is the most provocative special ever made about pro football.
THE HUNTERS, 30 min.
THE HUNTERS provides detailed accounts on the lives and careers of a few of NFL’s legendary former players, among them, Dallas Cowboys fullback Walt Garrison and Oakland Raider Ben Davidson.
Curated by Laura Coxson
Wednesday, September 29th-Thursday, September 30th
