RKO began producing a series of specialized sports newsreels to be distributed as short subjects shortly after World War II ended. Nine were released over an eleven-year period, 1946-1957. Subjects ranged from football and baseball to less known activities such as dirt track racing. The narrator was renowned news announcer André Baruch, whose voice became one of the most heard voices in the nation as a result of his narration for Pathe News, featured in hundreds of movie newsreels over the years, especially during World War II. Fans of "The Shadow" will immediately recognize André Baruch's voice as the one that introduced the show on the radio. So even though few know what he looked like, almost everyone, other than those of the younger generation, will remember his narrative expertise.

"Island Windjammers" was one of the last in the series, produced to take advantage of the calypso music graze sweeping the nation at the time, popularized by Harry Belafonte and others. This Sportscope focuses on windjammer sailing races in the Bahamas. A Hollywood variant of calypso music is heard throughout the newsreel culminating in a wild festival honoring the winners in the 1956 race. A sail by sail description of the race takes up most of the film which begins with scenes of Nassau, the capital, then shifts to Georgetown where the race starts at anchors. André Baruch contrasts the windjammer races with yacht racing. No formal rules apply; so the racers get testy with each other from time to time. Forty windjammers participate with The Ragged Gal, The Eagle, and The Marie being the three favored to win. The Bahamas were still under British rule at the time. The Lord Bishop of the Bahamas is shown giving his blessings to the race.

Otherwise an interesting sports clip, the major weakness is black and white photography when a subject as intriguing as windjammer racing in the Bahamas deserves color. Still expensive by today's standards, the addition of color would have enhanced the drawing power of this Sportscope short subject. Obviously produced on a shoestring to be used as filler between features or just before a major attraction, "Island Windjammers" is more a curiosity today than entertainment.

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The sport genre features the world of sports, capturing the excitement, competition, and personal journeys of athletes, coaches, and teams. The stories cover a wide range of sports and activities, each with its own unique characteristics and themes.

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This Sportscope features the annual Out Island Regatta held annually in the Bahamas.

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Sportscopes (1955-1956 season) #6: Island Windjammers

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Island Windjammers

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