Deep Archive Finds Movies That Echo the Spirit of BBC Sport: Boxing...

Dir: Unknown Director

This short film presents the champion cowboys of the world in a series of remarkable stunts, including riding, roping, steer throwing, etc.

Dir: Fred Niblo

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Blood and Sand perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

A toreador's (Rudolph Valentino) familial and social life is threatened when he has an affair.

Dir: Harry A. Pollard

The Leather Pushers were a charming series of eighteen 2-reel comedies based upon the story of a prize-fighter from the Colliers articles by H.C. Witwer. Each episode was self-contained and complete in itself. Formerly wealthy Kane Halliday (Reginald Denny) finds he must support himself with his fists in the ring after his father goes suddenly broke. A great mix of comedy and action set against the gritty world of the old New York boxing scene.

Dir: King Baggot

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Round Two perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dirty work is afoot in old Kentucky when a rival decides that his horse will have a better chance of winning if the son of the owner isn't around, so he has him shanghaied onto a tramp freighter and gets the jockey in his debt through a crooked gambling game. Airplanes, ship-wrecks, sea storms, kidnapping, frame-up and much skullduggery prior to the race.

Dir: Phil Rosen

An automobile manufacturer comes up with a low-priced but efficient new car. However, when he orders all of his employees to drive it, his son Jimmy defies him and buys a car from his father's rival, Tyler, who makes expensive roadsters.

Dir: Sam Wood

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Kentucky Derby perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Auto racer Speed Carr enters a marathon race across the United States, from New York to Los Angeles. He encounters numerous obstacles not related to the race and must switch identities and vehicles before he can finish.

Dir: Bayard Veiller

John Duffey, lightweight champion of New York, knocks out Kid Reagan in a sensational bout but sustains a broken wrist and is ordered to rest for several months. Johnny visits Craigmoor, a fashionable summer resort, so as to pursue there a society girl, Constance Talbot, whom he has met by accident and who is unaware of his vocation. Mr. Talbot likes Johnny and has little use for Roy Van Twiller, his daughter's fiancé; Roy, however, recognizes Johnny and wires for his father, manager, and challenger to come establish his identity. But the trio are informed of the situation by Mr. Talbot and swear they have never seen Johnny. Johnny, to get even, knocks out Roy, breaking the injured hand; he then informs Constance that he is a roughneck, but she and her family happily accept him.

Dir: Jack Eaton

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Across the Continent perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Girl study, reducing class, Savage School games slow motion, beach sports.

Dir: Harry A. Pollard

On the steamer going over to London the "Kid" falls in love with a senator's daughter and his manager is too sick to keep him in any training. After a week or two of training the "Kid" enters the ring only to find that his rival is one of his sparring partners. Knowing all the "Kid's" punches the opponent scores many points during the combat but suffers a punch in the jaw which loosens a tooth. The "Kid" waits for the moment when the terrible fighter must turn his head to spit out the tooth before he gives him the final knock-out punch. The agreement has terminated between the champion and his manager but is renewed by a hand-shake at the close of the final reel.

Dir: Earl Hurd

A little boy and his beloved puppy find themselves in and out of mischief.