[78-L] Knute Rockne Sound Film and Victor 22808

[Michael Biel]

  Recently there were statements here discrediting the Victor disc and 
the film of Knute Rockne's locker room speech.

I think that I have discovered the original source of the sound film, 
which was also included in the posthumous Universal Film "The Spirit of 
Notre Dame" and has a Victor dubbing session date of Sept 14,1931, six 
months after his death.

The San Jose News of March 18, 1929 has a story on page 12 announcing 
two screenings of a Studebaker Movietone film "Champions" which has a 
description which matches the locker room film.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BjAiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_aMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1069,7948132&dq=knute+rockne+film&hl=en

The film of the speech itself can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ5YiQqrZCk  (sharpest version)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmY7ttVNiWo  (this has a still photo of 
Rockne to compare)

Here's a different sound film of Rockne:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2MZUcxh0hU&feature=related

This has a NYC City Hall film but unfortunately all we hear is Mayor 
Jimmy Walker -- maybe the whole film exists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m4NFghqbbI&feature=related

There is a possibility yet another sound film of Rockne could eventually 
be located.
Dec 9, 1929 - Alexander, Tad Jones and /Knute Rockne/ are heard 
discussing candidates for the all-American eleven.

It would be good to find the Studebaker film itself, and also the 
Universal feature "The Spirit of Notre Dame" but have we convinced you 
that this film and this record are not fakes???

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com