Nation Celebrates Annual Picturesque “Fiesta De Las Flores” (Universal Newsreel, Mar 1932)

Description

The original release sheet reads: 1. DEATH LIST HITS 358 AS TORNADO WREAKS HAVOC IN SOUTHLAND: NORTHPORT, AL - Striking with saber-like thrusts, twisting winds slash through five southern states leaving a wake of ruin and horror. Broken communications delay the tabulation of the tragedies wrought by the deadly gales that buried human being into oblivion; tore thousands of homes from their foundations; uprooted forest of trees; wiped out railroads; and tossed cattle into the air with a merciless fury. Rescuers and rehabilitation workers comb the region through miles of desolate wreckage searching for survivors and brining succor to the injured. National Guard units, Red Cross detachments, American Legion posts, and Salvation Army lassies labor tirelessly to relieve stricken Dixie. 2. PHARLAP, AUSTRALIAN WONDER HORSE, WINS $50,000 TURF CLASSIC: AGUA CALIENTE, MEXICO - Running away from 9 of America’s best thoroughbreds, the giant gelding romps home with a new track record in the feature race of the meet. Fifteen thousand thrilled fans marvel at the power of the Big Red Terror as he crosses the finish line two lengths in front of the field, in the remarkable time of 2:02 4/5. Starting slowly, Billy Elliott, the wise jockey from “Down Under,” gives his mount an easy ride until the field moves into the backstretch. Here a burst of speed out distances all entries, putting the invader into the lead as the panting steeds maneuver for position rounding the homestretch. Picking up a challenge from J.A. Best’s Revelle Boy, the pride of the Antipodes runs him into the ground. Pharlap’s masterful performance adds $50,050 to his all-time winnings of $282,000 and places him second only to Sun Beau. 3. RUBBER FUMES FELL SCORE OF FIREMEN AT 4-ALARM $100,000 BLAZE: NEW YORK, NY - Battling the licking flames, details of men enter the roaring inferno to stamp out the danger at its source. Clouds of black acrid smoke, belching from the three-story rubber-tire factory, fling the fighters back on their heels, in their attack to limit the flames to the one structure. Police rescue squads, rushed to the scene; prevent tragedy by donning gas masks and performing heroic feats in carrying the unconscious daredevils from the range of the sickening odor. Pressing pulmotors into instant service the intrepid firemen are revived, as their comrades carry-on, finally extinguishing the conflagration, after 20 of their fellows succumb to the deadly smoke clouds. 4. NATION CELEBRATES ANNUAL PICTURESQUE “FIESTA DE LAS FLORES”: SANTA ANITA, MEXICO - With the cream of the country’s beauties lining the banks of the colorful canals, the entire populace, coming from every part of the Republic, revel in the yearly pageant of flowers. Depicting the hectic history of the nation, the canoe procession floats down the waters electrifying the throngs of joyous natives with the gorgeous tableaux. Young and old, ugly and beautiful, take part in the festival. A riot of color, out-doing all other national fiestas. 5. GOVERNMENT HOLDS RECORD LOTTERY TO AID “FIVE-YEAR PLAN”: NOVOSIBIRSK, USSR - Eager ticket-holders of all races jam into the Republic’s local headquarters to attend the awarding of prizes in the drawing that has attracted hundreds in the vicinity of this township. Forty nationalities of farmers and factory hands have purchased numbers in support of this movement by the Soviet financiers to enrich the country’s treasury. The lucky slips are redeemable at 5,000 rubles each, and the anxiety of the uniquely mixed populace is heightened by the tedious posting of each set of numbers. A rare document from darkest Siberia. 6. CITIZENS MINT WOOD COIN AS BANK FAILURE TIES UP CASH SUPPLY: TENINO, WA - Faced with an acute shortage of currency as the populace is forced to await the liquidation of its defunct depository, the Board of Trade decides to issue legal tender of its own. Printers work at top speed to meet the demand for the bills made of veneer plywood in denominations of 25¢, 50¢, and $1. Awaiting the return of federal money, citizens of the community use their own, which is accepted everywhere in the town. The article attracts the attention of the nation and swiftly becomes desirable to curio collectors, already being quoted at thrice its value in numismatic marts. 7. BURNING AND LOOTING TERRORIZE NATIVES’ RETURN AFTER TRUCE: SHANGHAI, CHINA - With Chapei in ruins, refugees from the razed city rush through the scenes of desolation back to the mean places they once called home, as miserable free-booters dash through the wreckage setting fires without restraint. Eventually captured by the alert guards, they are dealt summary punishment, as the natives, in a panic of despair, battle wildly for permission to pass through the lines back to their pillaged quarters. A picture that will be indelibly stamped in one’s memory. Meanwhile, delegations from the warring factions call an armistice at the behest of world powers to settle the trouble without further bloodshed. Japanese troops on the battle front continue to hold their position, as the 19th Route Army of the Chinese moves westward in retreat after a bitterly fought engagement lasting five weeks.

Collection

MCA/Universal Pictures Collection

Series

Motion Picture Releases of the Universal Newsreel Library