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Where the Son Shines (1952)

1952 · Short film · 25 min

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Synopsis

This color film, produced by General Motors' Photographic Division for Chevrolet, showcases the 1952 All-American Soapbox Derby held in Akron, Ohio. Beginning in and around Saratoga Springs, New York, we meet the community leaders who promote the local Derby and a few of the participants. The action then moves to Akron, where the whole town has Derby Fever! The heats commence at Derby Downs and 11-year-old Joe Lunn of Columbus, Georgia, crashes his car and looks to be out of the running. But after a quick repair, Lunn goes on to win the championship. He and all the other racers are then feted at a banquet attended by politicians, businessmen, and movie stars. The All-American Soap Box Derby is a youth soapbox car racing program which that has existed in the United States since 1933. During the Derby's heyday in the 1950’s and 1960’s, as many as 70,000 people gathered to cheer hundreds of youthful racer/builders. Soapbox cars competing in this event are unpowered, relying completely upon gravity to move. 06:06 TITLE CARD over parade in Saratoga Springs; marching bands, spectators 00:32 starting line sign: “Saratoga County Soap Box Derby” 00:35 Spectators, participants at Derby 00:56 Racers at starting line 01:17 County Judge Richard J. Sherman 01:33 The Saratogian newspaper, Frank MacHugh 01:04 Derby organizers visit Knights of Columbus 246, Veterans Memorial Home, Masonic Temple, Elk’s Club, Congregation Gates of Heaven, Greenfield Grange 807 03:24 New Worden Hotel, sign:…

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Details

Running time
25 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

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