The 1975 International Special Olympics

A documentary about the 1975 International Special Olympics, held in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Followed by footage of mining companies conducting strip mining and a speech about government grants and economic development.

01:00Copy video clip URL Image of a TV production studio and a monitor showing the image being recorded. Host Randal Merryman watches the monitor. Onscreen text: “Broadside Video presents The 1975 International Special Olympics. Mount Pleasant, Michigan.”

01:22Copy video clip URL Merryman introduces the program for Broadside TV in Johnson City, TN, and Wise County, VA. He discusses the Special Olympics, which he visited with teacher Carl Deskins, school psychologist Roger Hankins, and student Johnny Smith, who also assisted in the production of the tape. 

02:32Copy video clip URL Footage from a moving car on the highway, in which a man sings the Allman Brothers Band’s song “Ramblin’ Man” in the backseat. The audio transitions to marching band music. 

03:15Copy video clip URL The opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics. The representatives for each state walk around a track as a crowd watches from the stands. 

06:17Copy video clip URL William G. Milliken, governor of Michigan, delivers a speech welcoming the athletes and supporters to the event. 

08:26Copy video clip URL Footraces on the track. 

09:24Copy video clip URL Interviews with Susan St. James and Tom Lucas, supporters who attend every Special Olympics. More footage of races. St. James discusses the old stigmas attached to people with developmental disability and the ways that the Special Olympics is combatting them. 

11:44Copy video clip URL Interview with an athlete who has run several races.

12:09Copy video clip URL Interview with parents and coaches. “Everyone’s a winner, that’s what I like about it.”

13:18Copy video clip URL Montage of competitions, set to marching band music. 

14:20Copy video clip URL Interview with athlete Tony Bebber from Bristol, VA. He speaks about his upcoming race, which we then see the end of. Bebber comes in second and discusses the race. 

15:19Copy video clip URL A coach works with an athlete throwing shot-put, preparing him for the competition. He makes the longest throw of the day. 

16:20Copy video clip URL Interview with an athlete who came in first in the 220-meter race, followed by more footage with Bebber and the medal ceremonies for both of them. 

17:18Copy video clip URL Onscreen text: “The 1975 International Special Olympics. Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Thanks to: Dilenowisco Educational Co-op, Central Michigan University, & The Lions Club. Special thanks to Carl Deskins, Roger Hankins, and all the contributors whose efforts made this trip possible. Video: Randal Merryman. Photos: Ken Darwin, Randal Merryman. Production Assistants: Johnny Smith, Bob Konarska. Interviews: Paula Swanson, Connie Fuhrman, Roger Hankins. Edited by James H. Piston, Randal Merryman. A Production of BROADSIDE VIDEO. Johnson City, Tenn., Wise County, Va.” Montage of still photographs from the games. 

20:00Copy video clip URL Cut to black. 

20:31Copy video clip URL Footage of trucks moving large quantities of earth as part of strip mining operations. 

25:54Copy video clip URL A speech about government grants for rural communities. Discussion of the need for grants balanced with the desire to avoid “government paternalism.” The need for businesses to create jobs that make rural communities appealing.