Strength! (1930)

Saxon Brown “the world’s strongest young man“ is the subject of this story. C/U of Saxon - naked to the waist - with two sturdy ropes attached to his arms. A L/S reveals that a large horse is attached to each rope. The horses move apart and put strain on the ropes. Saxon grits his teeth and tries to stand firm. A group of people watch his stunt, it takes place in front of some stables. High angle shot of Saxon being pulled by both horses. He is dragged along through a little manure deposit! He lets go of the ropes. “Ever tried lying down on a bed of 1,000 nails? And supporting a 3 1/2 cwt anvil? And being hit with a sledge hammer?“ Saxon stands by a small box with nails sticking out of it (I wouldn’t call it a “bed of nails“ exactly! It is only about A4 size.) C/U of the nails. He lays back on the nails and a piece of wood is placed on top of his body. A blacksmith’s anvil is then placed on the wood. A blacksmith or farrier swings a sledge hammer and brings it down repeatedly on the anvil