Rare footage of an Ole Miss legend

In our work here at Media & Documentary Projects we restore and transfer old 8mm and 16mm film.  Occasionally a film is brought in that features a piece of history that has rarely, if ever, been seen.  That is the case with the below film clips.  This footage belongs to Alyce Smith Krouse of Oxford, and was shot by her grandfather, Armour Bowen from Memphis, in 1947.  Alyce’s husband David brought this by yesterday and he and I stood in shock as these rare glimpses of “Blind” Jim Ivy flashed across the monitor.  Adding to the treat are some great action shots of the match-up between the Charlie Conerly-led Rebels of ’47 and Chattanooga.  All-American Conerly wears #42, and you’ll notice a favorite target of his is another All-American, #89 Barney Poole.

These clips should inspire us all to be diligent with our own home movies and make sure they are preserved and transferred before the images on them are lost to the ages.  What a great glimpse at the gameday atmosphere of 1947.  Thank you, David and Alyce, for allowing us to share these films with others.

If you know of anyone with a “Blind” Jim Ivy story, please have them contact me, Micah Ginn, at 662-915-3475.  We are currently compiling interviews toward a documentary on Blind Jim, and would love to hear from you!

Thanks,

Micah Ginn

**the film is silent