This is a pretty typical 'Pete Smith Specialty'--a short documentary about some aspect of life narrated by Smith. In this case, it's all about the Ice Capades--a business I didn't realize was around back in the 1940s. Some of the clips are very interesting (such as the comical skater who looked like he was going to fall) and some is quite impressive. However, like all the Smith films, the producer provides some very annoying banter throughout the short. Much of it is dumb and you wish that Smith would just shut up and stop trying to be funny. Still, if you can ignore Smith, the film isn't bad and doesn't last long enough to make you throw a shoe at the TV as you listen to Smith!!
4 Reviews
Dancers and Tummelers
boblipton30 January 2020
A Smith called Pete takes us backstage at the Icecapades to show us their 1948 collection of performers: pretty girls, clowns, acrobats, none of whom smell on ice.
I wonder why Pete didn't use that line. A bit too rude, I imagine. By modern standards, Pete Smith was snarky, but always respectful to real talent, and there's real talent here. I'm too young to have seen this episode of the Icecapades (I wasn't born yet, despite rumors), but certainly the increased popularity of Olympic events that use skates shows a still-young sport early in its evolution.
I wonder why Pete didn't use that line. A bit too rude, I imagine. By modern standards, Pete Smith was snarky, but always respectful to real talent, and there's real talent here. I'm too young to have seen this episode of the Icecapades (I wasn't born yet, despite rumors), but certainly the increased popularity of Olympic events that use skates shows a still-young sport early in its evolution.
Nobody makes a porcine face and blubbers "Why ME?" during . . .
tadpole-596-91825628 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
. . . ICE ACES. And no one tumbles to the frozen sheet as soon as the deejay cues up "Gloria," either. Back in the 1940's, when men were men and women were wenches, figure skaters were less interested in how many sequins they could sew onto their smocks or how many times they could simulate Krakatoa erupting to a Bo Derek soundtrack. In fact, there's not very much music in ICE ACES, but that's not the point. If you want to enjoy show tunes, go to a concert. But if you wish to see spectacular action on the ice, do not expect it from such self-styled legends as Nancy K., Tonya H., Jayne T. or Christopher D. Instead, watch ICE ACES to glimpse a dame spinning around four times per second, or to view a dude leaping Jeeps on 18-inch stilt skate blades!
Decent Pete Smith Short
Michael_Elliott13 March 2010
Ice Aces (1948)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Pete Smith short has him taking his cameras to L.A. where an ice capades show is in town. He goes behind the scenes to a rehearsal where three skaters, including Donna Atwood, are practicing tricks for the next years show. Fans of ice-skating will probably enjoy this short a lot more than those who aren't fans of the sport. We do get some nice, slow-motion footage of various stunts being done and we even get some great shots of trick jumps and some more dangerous stuff. All of that is fine but there's very little meat to this film as that's pretty much all we get. Again, fans of the sport will find that to be enough and would make for a real reason to watch this. The typical Smith jokes are here with some of them being funny but most aren't too well written.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Pete Smith short has him taking his cameras to L.A. where an ice capades show is in town. He goes behind the scenes to a rehearsal where three skaters, including Donna Atwood, are practicing tricks for the next years show. Fans of ice-skating will probably enjoy this short a lot more than those who aren't fans of the sport. We do get some nice, slow-motion footage of various stunts being done and we even get some great shots of trick jumps and some more dangerous stuff. All of that is fine but there's very little meat to this film as that's pretty much all we get. Again, fans of the sport will find that to be enough and would make for a real reason to watch this. The typical Smith jokes are here with some of them being funny but most aren't too well written.
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