We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive

Flying high at the 1938 Empire Games

1938

Flying high at the 1938 Empire Games

1938

  • NFSA IDQG27BVSA
  • TypeFilm
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormNewsreel, Series
  • Year1938

The men's pole vault, broad jump (long jump) and women's high jump feature in this silent clip of highlights from the 1938 British Empire Games.

Andries du Plessis from South Africa won gold by clearing the bar at 4.11 metres, well short of the world record at the time (4.5 metres) with Les Fletcher from Australia placing second.

Harold Brown from Canada took gold in the men's broad jump. 'Broad jump' now refers to a standing jump rather than a jump with a running start.

At the end of the clip we see a female high jumper. While the men used the 'western roll' technique, she is using the earlier 'scissor kick' style. Dorothy Odam from England won gold with a leap of 1.6 metres.

Courtesy of
Cinesound Movietone Productions

The men's pole vault, broad jump (long jump) and women's high jump feature in this silent clip of highlights from the 1938 British Empire Games.

Andries du Plessis from South Africa won gold by clearing the bar at 4.11 metres, well short of the world record at the time (4.5 metres) with Les Fletcher from Australia placing second.

Harold Brown from Canada took gold in the men's broad jump. 'Broad jump' now refers to a standing jump rather than a jump with a running start.

At the end of the clip we see a female high jumper. While the men used the 'western roll' technique, she is using the earlier 'scissor kick' style. Dorothy Odam from England won gold with a leap of 1.6 metres.

Courtesy of
Cinesound Movietone Productions
  • Production company
    Cinesound Movietone Productions
Industry professional? Go Pro

Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

Get started with PRO

Collections to explore

  • 1930s

  • Athletics

  • 1800s

  • Start your own collection

    A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, organise and share your favourite videos, audio and stories.

More in Stories+

Personalized your experience

Save, create and share

With NFSA Your Stuff