[Wrestling TV show]: Lou Thesz vs The Mighty Atlas
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An episode of a syndicated wrestling show shot at Chicago’s International Amphitheatre. Shot live on film with three-camera coverage, it features a witty and entertaining narration from announcer Russ Davis. This is a heavyweight championship bout between NWA champion Thesz and the flamboyant Might Atlas, the so called Peacock of the Ring. Thesz wins the match by turning Atlas’ patented sleeper hold against him.
Credits
Imperial World Films (production company); Sylvia Davis (producer); Russell Davis (director); Lou Thesz (performer); Morris "Mighty Atlas" Shapiro (performer); Russell Davis (commentator); Tony Haycheck (participant)
Complete catalog record
Date: circa 1957
Cfa collection: Russ and Sylvia Davis Collection
Subjects: Wrestling; Wrestling matches
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago
Language: English
Shot log: 00:01 MS Mighty Atlas in ring before match starts, Thesz signing autographs, men meeting in middle of ring before match, 03:09 match beigns, waist lock on Thesz, armlock on Thesz,; 5:00 men exchange holds, leglock on Thesz, Thesz flips Atlas using his feet, Thesz knocks Atlas to the ground, Atlas is thrown out of ring, hammerlock on Thesz,; 10:00 CU Atlas stamping on Thesz’ hand, MS bodyslam on Atlas, wristlock on Thesz, headlock on Atlas, headlock on Thesz,; 15:00 Thesz struggling to get out of hold, headlock and bodychecks on Atlas, dropkick and flying bodypress on Atlas, Thesz wins first fall at 16:09, 16:30-16:37 yellow leader, 17:25 second round starts, men exchange punches and headlocks, headlock on Thesz; 19:45 Davis with brief aside on Wrestling and Boxing, bodyslam on Thesz, flying toehold on Atlas, bodyslams on Atlas, kick on Thesz, bodyslams on Thesz, sleeper hold on Thesz, 22:49 Atlas wins second fall,; 24:32 third round begins, CU Atlas punching Thesz against ropes, MS sleeper hold on Thesz, Thesz flips Atlas on his back and wins third fall at 25:29, Atlas protests decision, out 26:48 as Atlas struts around the ring with the audience throwing objects at him
Cfa elements: Print, 970 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/4107
Cfa collection: Russ and Sylvia Davis Collection
Subjects: Wrestling; Wrestling matches
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago
Language: English
Shot log: 00:01 MS Mighty Atlas in ring before match starts, Thesz signing autographs, men meeting in middle of ring before match, 03:09 match beigns, waist lock on Thesz, armlock on Thesz,; 5:00 men exchange holds, leglock on Thesz, Thesz flips Atlas using his feet, Thesz knocks Atlas to the ground, Atlas is thrown out of ring, hammerlock on Thesz,; 10:00 CU Atlas stamping on Thesz’ hand, MS bodyslam on Atlas, wristlock on Thesz, headlock on Atlas, headlock on Thesz,; 15:00 Thesz struggling to get out of hold, headlock and bodychecks on Atlas, dropkick and flying bodypress on Atlas, Thesz wins first fall at 16:09, 16:30-16:37 yellow leader, 17:25 second round starts, men exchange punches and headlocks, headlock on Thesz; 19:45 Davis with brief aside on Wrestling and Boxing, bodyslam on Thesz, flying toehold on Atlas, bodyslams on Atlas, kick on Thesz, bodyslams on Thesz, sleeper hold on Thesz, 22:49 Atlas wins second fall,; 24:32 third round begins, CU Atlas punching Thesz against ropes, MS sleeper hold on Thesz, Thesz flips Atlas on his back and wins third fall at 25:29, Atlas protests decision, out 26:48 as Atlas struts around the ring with the audience throwing objects at him
Cfa elements: Print, 970 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/4107
Related films
Sources
- Chicago Film Archives · record ↗ — title, year, creator, length, format, color, sound, genre, description, credits, catalog record, video
Record added 2026-11-08 21:25:09