“WOMAN SPEAKS” 1940s SHORT: PIANO PRODIGY, GLASS ENGRAVING, SADIE HAWKINS WEEK, WRESTLING XD45744

Want to support this channel and help us preserve old films? Visit Visit our website This rarely seen, black and white theatrical short-subject film from 1946 or 1947 compiles a series of newsreel vignettes about modern women. This one features a 16-year-old piano prodigy; a polio survivor turned glass engraver, a Li’l Abner-inspired “Sadie Hawkins Week”, and a women’s wrestling match (TRT 10:02). Title card: “In every progressive activity-- often in fields once strange to her-- Today Woman Speaks” (0:08). A closeup on sheet music for Frédéric Chopin’s Works for the Pianoforte. “Scherzos and Fantaisie.” The narrator introduces 16-year-old pianist Naomi Weiss (0:17). Ms. Weiss plays a grand piano with animated vigor (0:28). An over-the-shoulder shot of Naomi Weiss at the keyboard. Her hands flutter across the keys gracefully (1:54). A closeup of Ms. Weiss shows an organza dress made of sheer fabric with floral embroidery and a beaded collar. She con