Jam (2006/II)

Director:

Mark Woollen

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

In 1973, roller derby died... Nobody told them

Plot:

They were television sports stars of the '60s and '70s, a bigger draw than major league baseball. And then...

Awards:

1 win

Runtime:

USA:85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Company:

Article Pictures

The story of aging Roller Derby entrepreneurs and the skaters whose glory days are over.

Like all really fine documentaries, there's more to it than just "reportage". I found myself caught up in this film about people whose earlier lives were filled with a modicum of fame and glory were now having to deal with (or avoid) the reality that that era was completely gone forever. Once upon a time, for a brief period in the early days of small screen black and white television, this sport of "Roller Derby" was a headliner and it's participants were the "stars". Like "Uncle Miltie," it was something to faithfully watch and, like Berle, it helped to sell those early 13 "TV sets. It had it's passionate fans and "heroes." Now that this is such a different time and the sport has faded mainly into the collective memories of us gray-haired folk, we can sympathize and even get emotionally caught up in the price to be paid by getting old and out of style. There is a sadness, a melancholy that pervades this excellent documentary. It's a very fine example of what a really good documentary should succeed in doing and that is to not only inform us in a particular subject but touch us as well. "Jam" is an excellent film and should have been nominated for an Academy Award in the Documentary category.