Writing
Joe Ansen
Born — Died
1908-10-03 — 1999-01-08
Place of birth
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Known for
Writing
Credits
33 titles
Known for
7.6The unusual talents of Johnny Price, a minor league baseball pitcher and trick artist, are showcased in this Pete Smith Specialty. Among other talents, Mr. Price can throw two (and, in certain situations three) baseballs simultaneously to different people. The catchers can be side by side, with one high and one low, or standing on the pitcher's mound and second base while Price throws the ball from the catcher's position. He can even perform these feats while suspended upside-down.
Diamond Demon
1947
10.0This Pete Smith Specialty shows newsreel footage events that live up to the title. They include, among others, a diaper derby (the father who puts a diaper on his child fastest wins), a fireman's ball (two teams of fire fighters use high-pressure water hoses to move a large ball to score goals), and a basket race (men run a footrace while balancing a "tower" of ten baskets on their heads).
Curious Contests
1950
7.0In this Pete Smith Speciality, the audience is asked a series of multiple-choice questions on various subjects.
Fancy Answers
1941
5.8The Kadi of Bagdad has harem troubles in this low budget comedy from Edgar Ulmer.
Babes in Bagdad
1952
6.5Joe Riley is a boxing referee whose life-code is the same as the sporting rules of the prizefight ring. Two Golden Glove (a tournament for amateur prizefighters) contestants Nick Martel, a tough, pugnacious kid from Chicago who has had to fight for everything he has in life, and Bob Gilmore, from the other side of life's tracks, are also competing for the affections of Riley's daughter, Patty.
The Golden Gloves Story
1950
7.0This documentary follows a Central and South American expedition led by explorer Lewis Cotlow.
Jungle Headhunters
1951
Behind the camera
7.6The unusual talents of Johnny Price, a minor league baseball pitcher and trick artist, are showcased in this Pete Smith Specialty. Among other talents, Mr. Price can throw two (and, in certain situations three) baseballs simultaneously to different people. The catchers can be side by side, with one high and one low, or standing on the pitcher's mound and second base while Price throws the ball from the catcher's position. He can even perform these feats while suspended upside-down.
Diamond Demon
1947
10.0This Pete Smith Specialty shows newsreel footage events that live up to the title. They include, among others, a diaper derby (the father who puts a diaper on his child fastest wins), a fireman's ball (two teams of fire fighters use high-pressure water hoses to move a large ball to score goals), and a basket race (men run a footrace while balancing a "tower" of ten baskets on their heads).
Curious Contests
1950
7.0In this Pete Smith Speciality, the audience is asked a series of multiple-choice questions on various subjects.
Fancy Answers
1941
5.8The Kadi of Bagdad has harem troubles in this low budget comedy from Edgar Ulmer.
Babes in Bagdad
1952
6.5Joe Riley is a boxing referee whose life-code is the same as the sporting rules of the prizefight ring. Two Golden Glove (a tournament for amateur prizefighters) contestants Nick Martel, a tough, pugnacious kid from Chicago who has had to fight for everything he has in life, and Bob Gilmore, from the other side of life's tracks, are also competing for the affections of Riley's daughter, Patty.
The Golden Gloves Story
1950
7.0This documentary follows a Central and South American expedition led by explorer Lewis Cotlow.
Jungle Headhunters
1951
6.5This short film focuses on a day in the life of a Hollywood talent scout assigned to cast animals.
Hollywood Scout
1945
7.0In this short film, champion fisherman Ernie St. Claire tries to catch a large salmon in Oregon's Rogue River.
Fish Tales
1954
7.0An off-camera narrator takes us through various scenarios of "just suppose". First we watch what would happen if a private detective behaved at home as he does in the movies; it's a ticket to a domestic disturbance. Next, a son gets to treat his father the way his father treats him. In the third episode, to a shopkeeper's chagrin, a man shops for a hat the way a woman does. In the final sketch, we suppose a household in which the man gets pregnant and has a baby, while the mom, clueless about little children, is the one with the career.
Just Suppose
1948
5.9Cinerama takes you on a South Seas Adventure to tropical islands set like sparkling jewels in dreamy cerulean waters. Thrill to the lure of sunbrowned, luscious maidens and a paradise of coconut palms, coral strand and blue lagoons. Enchanted South Pacific archipelagos beckon with all the beauty and color of a painter’s palette. Stepping stones in the vast expanse of far-away seas, they promise romance, adventure, excitement—an irresistible blend of fascinating people and exotic places.
South Seas Adventure
1958
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a husband endures the trials of being married to a wife with irritating traits.
I Love My Wife BUT!
1947
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a wife endures the trials of being married to a husband with traits that drive her crazy.
I Love My Husband, But!
1946
7.0This Pete Smith Specialty short shows newsreel clips of people performing strange stunts. Among those featured are a motorcyclist driving through a pane of glass, a car being driven up a ramp and crashing on top of other cars, a human loop-the-loop, and a man who has a cannonball shot at his abdomen at close range.
Crashing the Movies
1950
A humorous look at some typical housework troubles that may arise. A Pete Smith Specialty short.
The Man Around the House
1955
6.1This Pete Smith Specialty short takes a humorous look at the inconsiderate pests whose annoying habits make enjoying a movie impossible.
Movie Pests
1944
In this Pete Smith Specialty, the audience is asked multiple-choice questions about various sports. Depending on the question, the correct answer is revealed after 5 or 10 seconds.
Early Sports Quiz: What's Your I.Q. No. 13
1947
7.0The trials and tribulations of a husband as his pregnant wife gets closer to the delivery date.
What About Daddy?
1942
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a series of vignettes illustrate some ways that mothers-in-law irritate, and/or cause problems for, their son-in-law.
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
1948
NRChinese pheasants set loose in Oregon in 1881 find it difficult to survive in their new home, where there are different kinds of predators, but eventually they multiply and create a breed of ring-necked pheasants that can be found throughout the country.
The Proud Bird from Shanghai
1973
6.3This serious Pete Smith Specialty series entry encourages industry to hire people with disabilities to help with the war effort. As a boy, Ben Helwig was blinded in an accident while playing baseball. He eventually acquired a guide dog and now works in a defense plant.
Seeing Hands
1943
6.7In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a new father experiences the trials and tribulations of fatherhood.
Calling All Pa's
1942
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, answers are sought regarding some things people may have wondered about.
Have You Ever Wondered?
1947
6.7This short film is a humorous look at basic first aid techniques for mishaps that often occur around the house.
First Aid
1943
7.5Short film covering a variety of topics that folks may have wondered about.
Let's Cogitate
1948
5.0This short looks at the following questions: How would you act as an expectant father? How many greeting cards are sold in the USA each year? Why do indoor radiators make that pounding noise? Why do mammals yawn?
Did'ja Know?
1950
The profession of capturing animals in action on celluloid is both an art and science. Some of the most exciting footage can be obtained in different ways. Examples are: a large herd, such as of reindeer, moving as one; slow motion footage of fast moving animals, such as racing greyhounds, especially when they do something unexpected; mothers and their newborn offspring doing what comes naturally; animals placed among special props; animals placed in human situations; combining the exciting and dangerous, such as the running of the bulls in Pamplona and the bullfights to follow; placing animals that are not natural companions together; and placing animals in the situation of a challenge, such as a bunch of bananas just out of reach of a hungry monkey. Many of these elements are combined into the final sequence of a steeplechase race.
Animals in Action
1955
7.3A Pete Smith Specialty shorts series entry. Dave demonstrates a variety of household items and furniture which, while modern, is much more trouble than the progress is worth.
Things We Can Do Without
1953
6.8This Pete Smith Specialty short shows, humorously, the disastrous results when people save their money in unsafe places.
Cash Stashers
1953
5.7This comedic Pete Smith Specialty short examines the folly of using "home remedies" for various ills.
Sure Cures
1946
7.0This humorous short film shows how carelessness and accidents can harm the war effort, and steps on how to avoid them.
Seventh Column
1943
Harry Horseknuckle tries to figure out what to do with some strange and unwanted gifts.
Just What I Needed
1955
Two expert badminton players demonstrate how the best play the game, including some slick trick shots. Meanwhile, befuddled bungler Bellamy B. Birdbrain bumbles his way through building a backyard badminton court. (This film is played in its entirety in MGM's short feature "The Great Morgan")
Badminton
1945
This Pete Smith Specialty comedic short details the troubles the average woman faces with maintaining beauty and fitness.
Gettin' Glamour
1946
