Jujitsu for the "weaker sex" -- 1930s British newsreels

Quite enjoyable videos. As a practitioner of Aikido, I always enjoy seeing smaller or "weaker" people throw larger people. Strength and speed isn't everything...

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#4 posted by Marcelo

, February 11, 2009 9:50 AM

Looking at the related videos I found this one too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83iWBsELJFw

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#5 posted by fsck , February 11, 2009 9:51 AM

Oh my, I haven't smiled so much in ages. If there's a better use for the internet, I haven't found it.

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#6 posted by The Unusual Suspect , February 11, 2009 9:59 AM

I'd take my lumps from Contestant #1 any day. Rowr!

(Likely one of those "unintended consequences" people so like to go on about.)

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#7 posted by arkizzle , February 11, 2009 10:11 AM

Those girls are Bullys! :)

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#8 posted by marley88 , February 11, 2009 10:48 AM

"first is the He-man at the pool who delights in throwing people in by their ankles."

Awesome. I've always wanted to know what to do about those brutes!

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#9 posted by NidSquid , February 11, 2009 10:48 AM

Absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much for the smiles.

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#10 posted by blue balaclava , February 11, 2009 11:15 AM

"Once you have mastered the art of perfect timing and of perfect balance, the rest is a matter of practice." Damn skippy.

It was a joy to see that first dame be all old skool -- and wasn't she wearing hose during randoori? Boss! And the second one? Simply lovely doing techniques I'd see on the mat today, and in heels, too! Very nice, indeed.

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#11 posted by dr.psilo , February 11, 2009 11:23 AM

The highheel-jutsu was definitely a plus.

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#12 posted by SkullHyphy , February 11, 2009 11:40 AM

just in time for Valentine's day

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#13 posted by Anonymous , February 11, 2009 11:45 AM

You've got to love how decidedly common all the men in these videos are. This silent one is great as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0hkXzY3H20

The BFI's description: "Best of all are the 'Hints to the Ladies on Jiu-Jitsu' - seen here - which feel unnervingly like a long lost chapter from the history of lesbian erotica."

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#14 posted by Anonymous , February 11, 2009 12:23 PM

Oh, HELL YES! I love this.

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#15 posted by kentyman , February 11, 2009 12:24 PM

The only person more objectionable than the usual Pool-Ankle-He-Man is the guy who, at the end of the video you helped him make, steps on your penis.

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#16 posted by Takuan , February 11, 2009 12:44 PM

we should swap demonstrations gone wrong stories. You know, the snap kick to the groin that actually connects (in front of an audience of children), the boards or bricks that don't break, the knife defense that doesn't go so well. So many examples of grace under pressure and the show must go on.

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#17 posted by ommm , February 11, 2009 2:02 PM

the hair toss at 0.56
:O

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#18 posted by Enormo , February 11, 2009 3:39 PM

Hmm... I'm kind of sexually attracted the brune- WHOA! *thump*

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#19 posted by kengland4 , February 11, 2009 4:34 PM

If someone were to grab you by the throat, you could make yourself heavy, drop down like a stone, and then punch them in the balls. This is a move we practice in my karate self-defense class.

Kevin

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#20 posted by Junon , February 12, 2009 7:49 AM

My word! Where can I find a sensei like Miss May Whitley?!

Also: Princess Nell's great-great-great-great-great-grandmother? The original Illustrated Primer?

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#21 posted by Jerril , February 12, 2009 7:50 AM

My highschool added self-defense to the girls gym curriculum in the middle of my time there. I'd been taking martial arts classes for years, but TKD isn't exactly a practical self defense art, especially vs grappling, so I was interested.

It was interesting seeing the girls who hadn't been exposed before sort themselves into three rough groups: one group of girls who were too "feminine" to use any strength at the beginning of the course and were rather limp wristed and helpless, the "average" girls, and then at the other extreme the girl who, on the first day, bit our instructor on the knee rather badly when asked to defend herself.

Of course for the rest of the year girls were beating up guys to show off their mad self defense skilz, so the year after they added self defense courses for guys too.

@Takuan:

I think an audience of children would be particularly receptive to someone getting kicked in the balls. I think most eight year olds would find it hilarious...

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#22 posted by arkizzle , February 12, 2009 8:00 AM

#17 OMMM

Yes! :O

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#23 posted by Diana Gill , February 12, 2009 11:48 AM

This utterly made my day. Now I want to wear pin-curls and heels on the mat (or not). The techniques in the 2nd video are ones we use all the time, actually. Thanks!

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#24 posted by Scott Lahti , February 13, 2009 11:36 AM

I blogged this as Lady Kick-Astor and the Judo-Christian Rendition.

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#25 posted by Raj77 , February 19, 2009 3:40 AM

The lady in the second video is gorgeous. Kind of worrying to be attracted to someone slightly older than my grandmother!

Also illustrates the changes in the aristocratic accent since the interwar years.