September 15, 1944 – The Goofy Short Film How to Play Football is Released to Theaters
“To the spectator, football may appear rather rough at times, but in reality, it’s a character-building game.”
On September 15, 1944, the Goofy short film How to Play Football was released to theaters. It was seventh of the popular “How To” series that Goofy became known for. The short was directed by Jack Kinney.
The short opens with the narrator listing everything one needs for football: “a college covered with ivy; a coliseum or stadium filled to overflowing with a 100,000 rabid, wildly cheering fans; great armies of vendors; managers; mascots; photographers; sportswriters; doctors; elaborate brass bands; assorted coaches; old grads; scores of Annie Oakleys; and two teams resplendent in brilliant uniforms.” After these elements are put together, the narrator tries to explain the object of the game, but is drowned out by the crowd. The game starts, and the camera tries to follow the players, but can only show the backs of the spectators. The first touchdown is scored by Taxidermy Tech against Anthropology A&M, and the star quarterback is taken out to be saved, as he is Taxidermy’s star player. The next play begins, with many well-placed puns and wordplay. The injured players are soon carted off the field, though their injuries are chalked up to “character-building.” For the next play, a foul is called for unnecessary roughness, but after Taxidermy kicks the ball, everyone seems to fumble about before Anthropology A&M is able to accidentally score a touchdown.
The game gets rather rough after Taxidermy Tech scores the first touchdown
The score is 7 to 6, but A&M is able to score another touchdown, although their final kick doesn’t exactly go over the goalpost, giving A&M a score of 12.5 at the half. In the locker room, the coach for Tech surveys his weary and wounded players, and changes his moods every split second to supposedly rally their spirits. He sends in his star quarterback, who is able to make a touchdown before he is viciously sacked. The coach tries to revive his star, and they send him back in for one final play, although he makes his way around the field in a dazed stupor. By sheer luck, he manages to make the final touchdown, giving Tech the win with 13 to 12.5. The coach is seen driven mad by the game, and is tied in a straight jacket after the game is over.
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