11 replies to this topic

[Vitesse2]

This series has been running for some time on BBC4. It's adapted from some compilations which Pathé originally put together in the 1950s and features voiceovers from leading actors of the time. They've been of variable quality, but tonight's (part 11 of 12) is called "The Need for Speed" and features Malcolm Campbell in Bluebird, the first Monaco Grand Prix, the Spitfire, Amelia Earhart, Jean Batten and probably more.

8.30pm tonight BBC4 and afterwards on iPlayer.

[RTH]

Thanks for that Richard, sounds like a must see .

[ghinzani]

Yes thanks for that, set to record!

[Vitesse2]

A nice little compendium, with a few bits of film I hadn't seen before. Nice action shots of the 1903 GBT including a refuelling stop!

One strange bit though: immediately before they showed (and correctly described) the start of one of the component races of the 1929 Irish GP, there was a three second shot of the pits at Brooklands, taken some time in the late 30s. I'll examine it again later, but I distinctly saw "PG Whitehead ERA" over one of the pits!

[David McKinney]

No, to be late '30s it would have had to say "P N Whitehead ERA"

[Vitesse2]

No, to be late '30s it would have had to say "P N Whitehead ERA"

Typo

Or brain fade - take your pick!

The important bit is ERA though - none o' them around in '29.

[David McKinney]

I’m informed by one who was there (albeit some years later) that the Whitehead cutaway is from the 1936 Limerick race, and also shows the Duke of Grafton’s ill-fated Bugatti

[tyrrellp346wheels]

Typo

Or brain fade - take your pick!

The important bit is ERA though - none o' them around in '29.

I noticed that also.

[Vitesse2]

I’m informed by one who was there (albeit some years later) that the Whitehead cutaway is from the 1936 Limerick race, and also shows the Duke of Grafton’s ill-fated Bugatti

Having watched it again more carefully, the whole lot is Limerick.

[Paul Parker]

Typo

Or brain fade - take your pick!

The important bit is ERA though - none o' them around in '29.

Yes there were several occasions where the film and commentary were mutually exclusive but I enjoyed it anyway. Imagine reaching 270 plus on a beach! Somehow I doubt anybody would be brave enough to do this now, let alone in such a vehicle.

It makes me wonder what other gems are still unseen for latter day generations.

[elansprint72]

Having watched it again more carefully, the whole lot is Limerick.

Now there is a splendid idea for a thread- each respondent allowed to add only the next line:

"There was a young driver named Moss.... " and so on.

I'll watch this on the i-player, thanks for the heads-up.

[RTH]

They had dubbed engine sounds on to silent film. OK if done as brilliantly as in the Bill Mason Shell history of motor racing series of films.
However clearly the sounds did not fit remotely with the cars being shown which was rather a distraction.