Made by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America in 1955, this promotional film uses a fictional double-date setting at bowling alley to teach correct bowling form. It features professional bowlers Ned Day and Marion Ladewig. (Ladewig was known as the “Queen of Bowling.” Many people consider her the greatest female bowler who ever lived. Day was elected to the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 1952.) Men are wearing ties, women long dresses while bowling. Marion / Ned wear BPAA uniforms.
Title sequence (0:06–0:56). Directed by Al Bradish. “[D]edicated to the millions of Americans who have shown, through their selective patronage, that they appreciate outstanding surroundings in which to enjoy their bowling.”
White couples in expensive-looking hats / coats enter building from street (0:56). Closeup: astounded woman (1:20, “Peg”). Peg watches people bowling, shakes her head (1:47). Closeup: men and women picking up bowling balls, bowling (1:54). Closeup: man and boy throw ball together (2:15). Man gives youth bowling lesson (hand position) (2:18). Children bowling / laughing. Closeup: Peg smiles, looks around (2:49). Two white couples pay entrance free, pick up bowling shoes from window (2:54). Couples sit down, put on bowling shoes. Peg expresses doubts, her friends encourage her. Two men, wearing ties, confidently encouraging Peg (3:41). Group leaves, Peg still doubtful. Couples check coats (4:10). Couples pick bowling balls, test fingers / weight (closeup: men, then man helping women choose) (4:21). Man instructs others how to bowl (5:00). Man bowls, hits a few pins, others watch from booth. He bowls again, misses, gestures (exasperated). Woman stands, bowls, spare, shakes hands (exasperated) (5:43). Various attempts; amateur bowlers try to correct each other. Woman bowls (gutter); man consoles woman at booth. New couple approaches front desk, talk to employee (6:48). Couples argue about bowling technique (7:06). Peg shakes head, exasperated. Man attempts to bowl, stumbles, returns to booth (7:21). Empty bowling alley booth with chairs behind (7:40). Couples approach lane in line. Ned Day and Marion Ladewig (in BPAA shirts) await (7:45). Ned / Marion check ball weights, invite couples to sit. Marion speaks. Closeup: Marion’s hands, demonstrating how to correctly pick up ball from return rack / grip. Zoom: three finger grip, “Marion Ladewig” visible, painted nails (8:41). Marion bowls while others watch (focus on body) (9:09). Closeup: Ned Day. Ned picks up ball (hands; his name on it), bowls. Marion leads Peg from booth to rehearse footwork / swing (9:35). Two women practice bowling form. Marion watches Peg practice (10:13). Peg bowls (happy). One man bowls too quickly (shouts, upset) (10:35). Ned shakes head, gestures / speaks (10:42). Man bowls but goes over foul line (closeup: feet). Woman bowls (focus: form / body) (11:06). Hands picking up ball from rack (11:17). Ned / Marion teach couples correct bowling stances (11:32). Closeup: knees / feet / bowling shoes (11:47). Closeup: Peg holding ball (torso), Marion commends her (12:01). Others watch (12:22). Marion hold’s Pegs hands, demonstrates push-away, correcting bad form (torsos) (12:26). Peg swings ball (pendulum), bowls (near strike!) (12:48). Ned demonstrates bowling (slow motion, multiple times with focus on body–slide / release / forward swing / upswing) (13:15). Woman bowls without follow-through, snaps fingers (frustrated) (14:49). Marion corrects woman’s form (follow-through) (15:00). View from lane: Ned bowls, follow-through (15:16). Closeup: numbered pins being replaced. BPAA sign. 1-3 strike target (pocket) with ball. View from lane: Marion bowling (15:54). Ball strikes in pocket. Marion instructs hand form (16:06). Straight ball path / hook ball path drawn on lanes (illustration) (16:44). Ned shows hand position for hook ball (16:59). Hook ball release. Closeup: strike (17:43). Ned smiles, returns to booth (17:56). Marion helps couples with foot placement. Aim lines drawn on lane (18:10). Ned demonstrates spot aim, using prop, bowls (strike) (18:29). Spots on lane (illustration) (19:09). Man bowls, strikes, all celebrate (19:16). Peg gets up, bowls, strikes, celebrates (19:34). Ned / Marion each complete spare (19:56). Women clap. Illustration: cross-alley spare angles. Ned corrects man’s start position, Marion corrects woman’s cross-alley start position (21:19). Bowling group happy. View from lane: man bowls, others celebrate; Peg bowls, strike (closeup), celebration.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
