Here is one of the many short reel pictures produced by Columbia Picture Corp. This reel focuses on table tennis and is called “Net Marvels”, and is part of a series called “The World of Sports”. It was released on March 11, 1948 and takes place in Kaimesha, New York (referenced by the narrator as next to Kaimesha Lake) at the Concord Hotel, located in the Catskills Mountains. The hotel was one of the larger and more popular of the Borscht Belt hotels, boasting a variety of amenities and being host to many famous performers and persons. In “Net Marvels”, Bill Stern delivers a witty narration while viewers get a front row seat along with the spectators of the resort in witnessing the impressive talents of (as the narrator states at the time of production) former World Double’s Champion and European Single’s Titleholder, Sándor Glancz, playing against three time United States Singles Champion, Lou Pagliaro, as the two duel in a staged table tennis match which features excellent slow-motion footage of their game and the many trick shots they perform. Sándor Glancz of Hungary won over the course of his career fourteen World Championship medals, including four gold medals, one being the mentioned doubles at the 1933 World Table Tennis Championship. Lou Pagliaro, born of Italian immigrants in New York City, in addition to his four national championships has represented the United States in winning three World Championship medals—in 1938 bronze men’s team, and in 1947 silver for men’s team and bronze for men’s singles.
(0:06) Opening titles. Columbia Picture Corp presents: The World of Sports “Net Marvels”. Production credits. (0:27) View of the grounds of the Concord Hotel circa 1940s. Guests walking about with many on the large patio and activity area. Resort buildings and forested hill in the background. (0:40) Several table tennis games being played on the patio. (0:48) Medium shot of Sándor Glancz (who the narrator refers to as “Mr. Table Tennis”), as he walks away Lou Pagliaro is revealed, having stood behind him. (1:12) Sándor Glancz and Lou Pagliaro walk together to their table with table tennis games being played around them. (1:29) Lou Pagliaro demonstrating different grips on the table tennis paddle and making various serves. (2:25) Sándor Glancz and Lou Pagliaro duel in a recorded slow motion table tennis match with audience watching in background. (4:33) Sándor Glancz and Lou Pagliaro performing a variety of table tennis trick shots. (5:40) Sándor Glancz using miniature table tennis paddles against Lou Pagliaro using oversized table tennis paddles. (7:30) Lou Pagliaro projecting a table tennis ball out of his mouth at Sándor Glancz. (7:38) Sándor Glancz and Lou Pagliaro playing table tennis with five balls at once. (8:15) Sándor Glancz playing table tennis against himself. (8:39) The End.
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