This is a transfer I made from my 16mm sound film called Modern Gladiators. This match features Ali Baba (former World Heaveyweight Champion) vs Red Brannigan. Baba won the title from Dick Shikat after Shikat's famous shoot on Danno O'Mahoney. From Steve Yohe's Ali Baba Record Book, this match is from 10/11/1939 in Los Angeles.
Vincent Lopez vs. Man Mountain Dean 7/24/1935 - SILENT - This match
contains 10 minutes of action from the Finals of the International
Wrestling Tournament from Los Angeles. The match was a best 2 out of 3
falls battle to crown a new Heavyweight Champion for Lou Daro's
territory. Lopez had the distinction of being trained and managed by the
great Ed "Strangler" Lewis. This match is from my Classic Wrestling From Film Vol I DVD that is available for purchase. Contact me via email if you are interested. Click here to contact me.
Now available is volume 4 of my collection of rare and previously
unreleased matches from the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling. These matches were transferred from 16mm films that I
own, not from WWE or TNA sources. Some haven't been seen since the live
matches. There is good news and bad news with this disc. First the bad
news. Some of the films are silent. They were originally filmed that way
so there is no commentary on those matches. Also, while the video is
very good quality, it isn't Hi-Def. The transfers are from 16mm film so
they show the scratches and wear from the source prints. The films were
cleaned and lubricated before transfer but I am only able to work with
the prints as I found them. Some are probably the only copies in
existence and would have been used by TV stations in the 50's. With all
that said, I don't think you will be disappointed with the quality.
Now for the good news. The films were transferred using an Elmo TRV-16
transfer projector allowing for a flickerless transfer and then
digitally cleaned. This disc will contain almost an hour and a half of
rare Professional Wrestling action. Many of the matches have never been
available before and those that have been available are difficult to
come across. The DVD will be burned on to a quality disc such as a
Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden. The DVD has custom menus and chapters so you
can navigate to any match. The DVD will be shipped in a slim case with a
cover and match listing insert.
Here is a listing of what is once again available;
Classic Wrestling From
Film IV
1) Ed "Strangler" Lewis v
Dick Shikat - Long Island City, NY, June 9, 1932 – Sound –
20:53
This is the best film available to
showcase these two all time greats. This film has twenty minutes of
highlights from the match between two multi-time World Champion
wrestlers. Lews is one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time.
Here he is in his early 40's but still shows he can move with the
fast paced style he helped pioneer. Shikat is one of the few
wrestlers that was Lewis' legitimate challenger on the mat. Both
were feared wrestlers and hookers. Shikat would throw the wrestling
world into turmoil when he shot on champion Danno O'Mahoney and stole
the title from the trust.
2) Ida May (Mae) Martinez vs Terry
Majors - Wrestling From Hollywood (Syndicated TV) - Sound –
24:39
Based out of Los
Angeles, this syndicated program traveled around the country via
Kinescopes in the early days of television. This match features two
excellent women wrestlers. Ida Mae was one of the most famous
wrestlers of the 50's.
3) Bone Bender’s
Parade – short clips of various wrestling matches from the 30’s
and 40’s - includes everything from Sumo and Judo matches to
underwater wrestling to U.S. matches featuring Joe Savoldi, “Dirty”
Dick Raines, “Sailor”Jack Adams, Fritz Kley, Man Mountain Dean an
many others - Sound – 8:14
This short highlight film features
wrestling styles from across the globe. You will get to see clips of
some great wrestlers in singles action and battle royals. This is
reminiscent of the newsreel clips people would see at the movies in
the 30's and 40's.
4) 50’s Hilites - Schlitz Library
#14 – clips of; Johnny Valentine vs Argentina Rocca, Dick the
Bruiser vs Pepper Gomez, Rickki Starr vs The Zebra Kid, Mighty Jumbo
vs The Sheik of Araby, Argentina Rocca & Miguel Perez vs Dr Jerry
& Eddie Graham, Argentina Rocca, Miguel Perez & Haystack
Calhoun vs Dr. Jerry & Eddie Graham & The Sheik of Araby, Sky
Low Low & Billy the Kid vs Brown Panther & Red Feather, Penny
Banner vs June Byer and Ramona Isbel & Apple Johnson vs Babs
Wingo & Marva Scott –Sound – 29:14
This is a great highlight film
featuring the most popular wrestlers from the 50's. The film is a
bit rough and jumps in spots but is great fun. This film was put out
by the Schlitz Brewing Company and distributors would loan the films
to local bars for an event. Grab a beer, sit back and imagine
yourself at your favorite bar in the 50's. Most of the matches
feature wrestlers who would be responsible for constant sellout
crowds at MSG. Rocca/Perez vs The Grahams would cause riots, the
Bruiser and Sheik would bring the crowds to their feet in anger and
the women would be a great attraction.
Now available is volume 3 of my collection of rare and previously
unreleased matches from the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling. These matches were transferred from 16mm films that I
own, not from WWE or TNA sources. Some haven't been seen since the live
matches. There is good news and bad news with this disc. First the bad
news. Some of the films are silent. They were originally filmed that way
so there is no commentary on those matches. Also, while the video is
very good quality, it isn't Hi-Def. The transfers are from 16mm film so
they show the scratches and wear from the source prints. The films were
cleaned and lubricated before transfer but I am only able to work with
the prints as I found them. Some are probably the only copies in
existence and would have been used by TV stations in the 50's. With all
that said, I don't think you will be disappointed with the quality.
Now for the good news. The films were transferred using an Elmo TRV-16
transfer projector allowing for a flickerless transfer and then
digitally cleaned. This disc will contain almost an hour and a half of
rare Professional Wrestling action. Many of the matches have never been
available before and those that have been available are difficult to
come across. The DVD will be burned on to a quality disc such as a
Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden. The DVD has custom menus and chapters so you
can navigate to any match. The DVD will be shipped in a slim case with a
cover and match listing insert.
Here is a listing of what you can look forward to;
Classic Wrestling From
Film III
1) Lord
Leslie Carlton vs Juan Sepeda (or Zepeda) - Sound – Wrestling
From Hollywood (Syndicated TV) – 25:27
Based out of Los
Angeles, this syndicated program traveled around the country via
Kinescopes in the early days of television. Our host, sports talk
pioneer, Allin Slate introduces this week’s main event match from
the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Carleton played an arrogant heel to
large crowds all across the country in the 50's. While outside of
the ring he was a noted artist. Sepeda was a mainstay in Southern
California through the 50's. Here you can see the full match
followed by a heated backstage interview.
2) Rough
and Tumble – clips of; Abe Coleman vs. Lou Plummer, Jim Londos
vs. Ray Steele & Man Mountain Dean vs. Howard Cantonwine –
Silent – 2:44
This is a silent
film showing short clips of some wrestling greats from the 30's. The
film is a bit rough with spotting but this is still a great chance to
see some rare action. Abe Coleman left his native New Zealand and
became a star across the world with his famed “Kiwi Roll”. Jim
Londos was perhaps the greatest professional wrestler of all time. A
huge star for decades he is wrestling his friend and sometime
policeman, Ray Steele. Both wrestlers would hold the World's
Championship during their careers. Lastly we get to see an
appearance by the popular Man Mountain Dean.
3) Cora
Combs vs June Byers - Wrestling From Hollywood (syndicated TV) -
Sound – 15:35
Here is another match from the
syndicated series filmed from the Hollywood Legion Stadium. This
match features two of the greatest women wrestlers of all time. Cora
Combs wrestled across the globe and would hold the Woman’s World
Championship. She would be elected to the Professional Wrestling
Hall of Fame in 2013. Here opponent here was one of the few who
could be ranked higher on the all time list. Byers' held the Woman’s
World Championship for many years finally losing it when she was no
longer able to compete after a ca accident. Byers was elected to the
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006.
Rasslin’ Rockets - Lou Klein
vs Gene Dubuque (Magnificent Maurice) – Sound – 9:01
This match features two greats from
the 50's and 60's. Lou Klein rose to fame under the name Bastien
with his wrestling “brother” Red. Klein then switched back to
real name and rose to fame especially in the Detroit area. Dubuque
would rise to even greater fame wrestling under the name The
Magnificent Maurice. He would team with Handsome Johnny Barend and
go on to headline Madison Square Garden and across the northeast.
5) Lynn O'Connor vs
Lindy Lawrence - Wrestling From Hollywood (syndicated TV) - Sound
– 27:46
The final match on the disc is again
from the syndicated Hollywood series. These two battling beauties
put on a fast paced and exciting match.
At long last, volume 2 of my collection of rare and previously unreleased matches from the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling has made it to DVD. These matches were transferred from 16mm films that I own, not from WWE or TNA sources. Some haven't been seen since the live matches. There is good news and bad news with this disc. First the bad news. Some of the films are silent. They were originally filmed that way so there is no commentary on those matches. Also, while the video is very good quality, it isn't Hi-Def. The transfers are from 16mm film so they show the scratches and wear from the source prints. The films were cleaned and lubricated before transfer but I am only able to work with the prints as I found them. Some are probably the only copies in existence and would have been used by TV stations in the 50's. With all that said, I don't think you will be disappointed with the quality.
Now for the good news. The films were transferred using an Elmo TRV-16 transfer projector allowing for a flickerless transfer and then digitally cleaned. This disc will contain almost an hour and a half of rare Professional Wrestling action. Many of the matches have never been available before and those that have been available are difficult to come across. The DVD will be burned on to a quality disc such as a Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden. The DVD has custom menus and chapters so you can navigate to any match. The DVD will be shipped in a slim case with a cover and match listing insert.
Now for the matches that have once again been made available;
Classic Wrestling From Film II
1) Gorgeous George vs Woody Strode -- Wrestling From Hollywood (Syndicated TV) - Sound – 26:15
Based out of Los Angeles, this syndicated program traveled around the country via Kinescopes in the early days of television. Our host, sports talk pioneer, Allin Slate introduces this week’s main event match from the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Here we get to see wrestling legend Gorgeous George in action with the full ring entrance. George is a pioneer of the flamboyant wrestler and for a while was one of the greatest draws in wrestling. His opponent is USC football great, actor, wrestler and humanitarian, Woody Strode. Strode made a name for himself on the gridiron and followed with a great career on the mat as well as the Silver Screen. This is a very enjoyable match and a great chance to see a longer match featuring these two.
2) Wrestling Thrills - Karol Krauser vs Chief Bamba Tabu (also known as Yaqui Joe), Olga Baranoff vs. Hanka Kavetzka, Four Man battle Royal; Bobby Bruns, John Melas, Prince Emir Jo Jo and Tabu –Silent - 8:56
This is a silent film with matches from the early 40’s from cards put on by the legendary, and much hated, outlaw promoter Jack Pfeffer. Pfeffer blew the lid off wrestling’s secrets in the 30’s and spent the rest of his career battling with other promoters. They are all edited matches with endings for each. The first match shows hardcore wasn’t invented in Memphis, WWF or ECW, they were already swinging chairs in the 40’s. The last match is a chance to see wrestling great Bobby Bruns in action. Bruns would hold World Titles and go on to book the St Louis and Buffalo Territories to great heights.
3) Lindy Lawrence vs Jacque La Monte - Wrestling From Hollywood (Syndicated TV) - Sound – 24:30
This is another match from the syndicated series. This time the match was filmed in Arizona and is the continuation of a series of grudge matches between these battling beauties. I’m not a huge fan of ladies matches but I can honestly say this one is a good match. Look closely and you'll be able to see La Monte even use a power bomb. Lots of action and fun to watch, it may change your mind too.
4) Championship Wrestling From the Hollywood Legion Stadium (Syndicated TV) - Fred Blassie & Warren Bockwinkel vs. Joe Pazandak & Mr. Moto – Sound - 15:31
Incomplete film has about the last 5 min of the match, then commentary by Jules Strongbow and commercials to the end of the show. The commentary by Strongbow hypes the upcoming World Series of Wrestling and a later one recaps the match and the wrestlers involved. The commercials are pretty interesting and seem to be valium and speed under fancy names, just what the 50’s housewife needed.
5) Mat Masters – Don Evans vs. Jim Corbett & Primo Carnera vs. Laverne Baxter – Sound – 9:33
This film features action from the 50’s of the popular Don Evans and Laverne Baxter who was a roughhouser who had been wrestling since the 30’s. You also get the chance to see the former Heavyweight Boxing Champion Primo Carnera. Carnera gained the title with the backing of a descent jab and some “connected” managers.
