Joe Ansen

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.

Hassan, the Kadi of Bagdad, has a harem housing 12 beauties, but concentrates his attention on Zohara. A newcomer, Kyra, introduces rebellion into the harem by the unheard of act of complaining to the Caliph about the lot of the women in the harem. Hassan suffers a greater shock when his God-son, Ezar, asserts that women are the equal of men. They make a wager under which Ezar must settle down with a conventional harem unless Zohara can outwit Hassan within ten days. (imdb)

The disabling injuries of railroad workers effect those around them. (imdb)

Among the pests that are dealt with in this Pete Smith short are a wolf cruising in a convertible who refuses to take no for an answer from an attractive young woman, the small son of a customer in an antique store who causes damage to expensive "objets d'art," a dried-out fountain pen, and a woman who rudely stares at a diner through a restaurant window. (imdb)

This short, comedic film addresses Murphy's Law in three ironic situations. (imdb)

Filmed with the full cooperation of the Golden Gloves Tournament Association, this Paramount programmer stars Richard Denning as promising pugilist Bill Crane. Though tempted to sign up with crooked Joe Taggerty (J. Carrol Naish) for a series of fixed bouts, Crane is saved from himself by sportswriter Wally Matson (Robert Paige), the organizer of the local Golden Gloves program. Taggerty tries to get even by pitting the amateur Crane against a seasoned professional, but to no avail. (allrovi.com)

A wife explains the habits her husband has that drive her crazy. (imdb)

A humorous look at the inconsiderate pests whose annoying habits make enjoying a movie impossible. (imdb)

A sketch of human foibles that lead to major aggravations. (imdb)

On off-camera narrator takes us through several 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 (imdb)

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

Documentary showing different "home remedies" for various ills. (imdb)

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.

A boogie-woogie piano introduces what purports to be a jitterbug lesson, starring prize winner Arthur Walsh, his partner, and then later various other couples. We start with steps imported from other dances, like the waltz, then sped up. Next Walsh and his partner show some basic steps, but the movements are too swift for the narrator to describe them or the viewer to learn how to do them.

Demonstrates how accidents happen when proper safety devices are neglected.

One of Pete Smith's assistants auditions animal acts for his short subjects.

The remarkable talents of baseball pitcher and trick artist Johnny Price are showcased including throwing two balls at once to two catchers, pitching blindfolded, throwing and hitting hanging upside down, and fielding fungoes in a jeep. (imdb)

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.

A husband endures the many irritating traits of his wife.

A series of mishaps happening to a homeowner, while he take a relaxing day off from the office. The trouble is about to begin when he starts to rest at home.

A demonstration of trick shots by champion bowler Andy Varipapa.

This 'Pete Smith Specialty' short covers subjects such as snoring, boomerangs and amateur photography.

Life in mid-century America is humorously compared to life at the turn of the century. Subject covered are keeping accurate time, proposing marriage, waking up in the morning, and going to the movies.

The audience is asked questions about sports facts and records involving tennis, wrestling, swimming, golf, and cycling.

This Pete Smith Specialty tries to find the answers to some questions that have plagued mankind: Are women drivers worse than men?; How much money does the average gumball machine collect in a month?; Are certain food combinations harmful (e.g., milk and pickles)?

Light-hearted film about Franklin D. Roosevelt's dog Fala.

This serious entry in Pete Smith Specialty series 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.

A short showing how carelessness and accidents can harm the war effort, and steps on how to avoid them.

In this Pete Smith Specialty, we meet new father Mr. Thunderstruck as and his wife start raising their new baby girl and experience the issues of new parents.

A short compilation of newsreel clips featuring people performing strange stunts with humorous narration added by Pete Smith.

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?

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).

Pete Smith special about billiard.

The fifth in a series of Cinerama travelogues---and not a Documentary since the vast majority of the film, aside from the scenery, is comprised of fictional stories. The first one involves an American girl, on a cruise to Hawaii.

An examination of the problem of the house guest who has overstayed is welcome, and how to get rid of him.

Wartime housekeeping tips by a home-economics pro who comes to the aid of a bumbling, vertically challenged husband and his statuesque bride.