Grandad of Races

Grandad of Races is an American short film by André de la Varre from the year 1950.

Action

In July and August there is the Palio horse race in Siena, Italy. The different horses occur in the name of a contrada is a groomed oval race track on the Piazza del Campo against each other. After pre-race the actual event begins: Horses and riders will be blessed in the Church of the respective district and it begins the solemn procession to the historic Piazza. Here, the Contraden present in historical costumes. A central aspect of the event is the appearance of the standard bearer, who present the flags of the contrada for two in their own choreography. It follows the presentation of the flag, which will receive the victorious contrada. Finally, the race in which the horses are ridden without a saddle basically begins. Because of the uneven track and narrow curves, it comes like in the previous years, this time to fall. In addition, a dog strayed onto the track and must be rescued. Several horses reach the end without her rider the goal, but the winner will be given a rapturous reception from his contrada and the thousands of spectators.

Production

Grandad of Races was shot on location in Siena. The film was made in Technicolor, narrator Art Gilmore. Grandad of Races appeared as part of the Warner Bros. series The Sports Parade. The film received a copyright entry on September 2, 1950.

Awards

Grandad of Races won a 1951 Oscar for Best Short Film ( One -Reel ).