Marquee Sports Network today announced the premiere of Cubs Flicks, a new series showcasing never-before and rarely-seen footage of the Chicago Cubs from the late 1920s through the late 1950s, captured by players and fans on 8mm and 16mm film.
Inspired by the 1990s HBO documentary When It Was A Game, Cubs Flicks features footage originally acquired as part of the HBO project, working in partnership with the original director George Roy, as well as Stephen de Groot from Dutch Productions.
Narrated by Pat Hughes, Cubs Flicks will air as a two-part series, with the first episode airing immediately following Cubs Opening Day postgame coverage on Thursday, March 30.
“Cubs Flicks showcases the history of the Cubs franchise in a new way — capturing the players and moments that defined mid-20th century baseball in Chicago, including color footage never-before-seen by the public,” said Marquee Sports Network General Manager, Mike McCarthy. “We’re looking forward to sharing this footage with Cubs fans on Opening Day.”
“When It Was A Game captured the essence of the National Pastime in unique and magical ways, and it’s been fun to revisit the ‘home movie’ vault over thirty years later with a similar focus on the fascinating history of the Cubs,” said Roy. “I hope fans, both young and old, enjoy Cubs Flicks as much as we did creating it.”
Footage from more than 50 Cubs players and coaches is showcased in the two-part series, including Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman and Hack Wilson, along with a number of other key Cubs players from the time. Cubs team historian Ed Hartig and baseball historian Gary Livacari served as historical consultants on the series.
“Cubs Flicks is sort of a Cubs love story, with a lamenting nod to a long-gone era of baseball,” said de Groot. “We are thrilled to have these Cubs Flicks shows be a part of the outstanding original programming slate that is seen on Marquee Sports Network.”
Here is a preview clip from Cubs Flicks:
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