Joe Ansen

The profession of capturing animals in action on celluloid is both an art and science. Some of the most exciting footage can be obtained in different ways. Examples are: a large herd, such as of reindeer, moving as one; slow motion footage of fast moving animals, such as racing greyhounds, especially when they do something unexpected; mothers and their newborn offspring doing what comes naturally; animals placed among special props; animals placed in human situations; combining the exciting and dangerous, such as the running of the bulls in Pamplona and the bullfights to follow; placing animals that are not natural companions together; and placing animals in the situation of a challenge, such as a bunch of bananas just out of reach of a hungry monkey. Many of these elements are combined into the final sequence of a steeplechase race.

Harry Horseknuckle tries to figure out what to do with some strange and unwanted gifts.

Harry Horseknuckle tries to figure out what to do with some strange and unwanted gifts.

A humorous look at some typical housework troubles that may arise. A Pete Smith Specialty short.

A humorous look at some typical housework troubles that may arise. A Pete Smith Specialty short.

In this short film, champion fisherman Ernie St. Claire tries to catch a large salmon in Oregon's Rogue River.

In this short film, champion fisherman Ernie St. Claire tries to catch a large salmon in Oregon's Rogue River.

This comedic short looks at human foibles that lead to major aggravations.

A Pete Smith Specialty shorts series entry. Dave demonstrates a variety of household items and furniture which, while modern, is much more trouble than the progress is worth.

A Pete Smith Specialty shorts series entry. Dave demonstrates a variety of household items and furniture which, while modern, is much more trouble than the progress is worth.

This Pete Smith Specialty short shows, humorously, the disastrous results when people save their money in unsafe places.

This Pete Smith Specialty short shows, humorously, the disastrous results when people save their money in unsafe places.

The Kadi of Bagdad has harem troubles in this low budget comedy from Edgar Ulmer.

This Pete Smith Specialty shows newsreel footage events that live up to the title. They include, among others, a diaper derby (the father who puts a diaper on his child fastest wins), a fireman's ball (two teams of fire fighters use high-pressure water hoses to move a large ball to score goals), and a basket race (men run a footrace while balancing a "tower" of ten baskets on their heads).

This short looks at the following questions: How would you act as an expectant father?; How many greeting cards are sold in the USA each year?; Why do radiators make that pounding noise?; Why do animals yawn?

Joe Riley is a boxing referee whose life-code is the same as the sporting rules of the prizefight ring. Two Golden Glove (a tournament for amateur prizefighters) contestants Nick Martel, a tough, pugnacious kid from Chicago who has had to fight for everything he has in life, and Bob Gilmore, from the other side of life's tracks, are also competing for the affections of Riley's daughter, Patty.

This Pete Smith Specialty short shows newsreel clips of people performing strange stunts. Among those featured are a motorcyclist driving through a pane of glass, a car being driven up a ramp and crashing on top of other cars, a human loop-the-loop, and a man who has a cannonball shot at his abdomen at close range.

Short film covering a variety of topics that folks may have wondered about.

An off-camera narrator takes us through various scenarios of "just suppose". First we watch what would happen if a private detective behaved at home as he does in the movies; it's a ticket to a domestic disturbance. Next, a son gets to treat his father the way his father treats him. In the third episode, to a shopkeeper's chagrin, a man shops for a hat the way a woman does. In the final sketch, we suppose a household in which the man gets pregnant and has a baby, while the mom, clueless about little children, is the one with the career.

In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a series of vignettes illustrate some ways that mothers-in-law irritate, and/or cause problems for, their son-in-law.

In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a series of vignettes illustrate some ways that mothers-in-law irritate, and/or cause problems for, their son-in-law.

In this Pete Smith Specialty short, answers are sought regarding some things people may have wondered about.

In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a husband endures the trials of being married to a wife with irritating traits.

In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a husband endures the trials of being married to a wife with irritating traits.

In this Pete Smith Specialty, the audience is asked multiple-choice questions about various sports. Depending on the question, the correct answer is revealed after 5 or 10 seconds.

The unusual talents of Johnny Price, a minor league baseball pitcher and trick artist, are showcased in this Pete Smith Specialty. Among other talents, Mr. Price can throw two (and, in certain situations three) baseballs simultaneously to different people. The catchers can be side by side, with one high and one low, or standing on the pitcher's mound and second base while Price throws the ball from the catcher's position. He can even perform these feats while suspended upside-down.

In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a wife endures the trials of being married to a husband with traits that drive her crazy.

In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a wife endures the trials of being married to a husband with traits that drive her crazy.

This comedic Pete Smith Specialty short examines the folly of using "home remedies" for various ills.

This Pete Smith Specialty comedic short details the troubles the average woman faces with maintaining beauty and fitness.

Two expert badminton players demonstrate how the best play the game, including some slick trick shots. Meanwhile, befuddled bungler Bellamy B. Birdbrain bumbles his way through building a backyard badminton court. (This film is played in its entirety in MGM's short feature "The Great Morgan")

This short film focuses on a day in the life of a Hollywood talent scout assigned to cast animals.

This Pete Smith Specialty short takes a humorous look at the inconsiderate pests whose annoying habits make enjoying a movie impossible.

This humorous short film shows how carelessness and accidents can harm the war effort, and steps on how to avoid them.

This humorous short film shows how carelessness and accidents can harm the war effort, and steps on how to avoid them.

This serious Pete Smith Specialty series entry encourages industry to hire people with disabilities to help with the war effort. As a boy, Ben Helwig was blinded in an accident while playing baseball. He eventually acquired a guide dog and now works in a defense plant.

This Pete Smith Specialty is a semihumorous look at basic first aid techniques for mishaps that often occur around the house. It was produced in cooperation with the Beverly Hills First Aid Unit of the American Red Cross Disaster Service. —David Glagovsky

This Pete Smith Specialty is a semihumorous look at basic first aid techniques for mishaps that often occur around the house. It was produced in cooperation with the Beverly Hills First Aid Unit of the American Red Cross Disaster Service. —David Glagovsky

In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a new father experiences the trials and tribulations of fatherhood.

In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a new father experiences the trials and tribulations of fatherhood.

In this Pete Smith Speciality, the audience is asked a series of multiple-choice questions on various subjects.