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The film premiered on the Disney Channel in America in February 1992 (Black History Month); on U.S. ABC television in June; on Channel 7, Australia in July; and later in other countries.
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Paperback, 200 pp, 66 illustrations; ISBN: 978-0-9807480-2-4
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'Jim Fitzpatrick breaks new ground. His rigorous research and close readings of period accounts offer the reader a vivid portrayal of Taylor the man, and the notorious factors that led to Taylor quitting the sport at the top of his talents'. Peter Nye, author of Hearts of Lions
'A great read … a very nice job of historical setting while keeping the narrative moving at a fast pace'. Ronald A. Smith, Emeritus Professor of Exercise and Sport Science at the Pennsylvania State University. ‘I found it gripping and insightful and marvellously sad ... a superb piece of work.’ Michael McKernan, University of New South Wales. |
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This talk about Major Taylor in Australia, one of seven given during a U.S. lecture tour, was recorded in Boston in June, 2011.
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Major Taylor and Don Walker, Australian cycling champion, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, January 1903.
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Phil Morris, Richard Roxburgh and Jim when mobile phones barely were.
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Marshall W. 'Major' Taylor (1878-1932) broke the American racial barrier in professional bicycle racing in 1896. He was crowned cycling's World Sprint Champion three years later.
Cam and Phil shooting a racing scene.
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Because of his race as well as his talent, Major Taylor consistently attracted larger crowds than any other cyclist in the world. Taylor was big business in his own right, and was the highest paid and most famous athlete in the world's most popular sport at the time.
The world's richest bicycle race was created in Australia to get him Down Under in 1903. Free of the racial problems in America, it was the most enjoyable tour of his career. |
The one-fifth-mile, lit track at the Melbourne Exhbition Ground, circa 1900.
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On set in Adelaide with Cameron Daddo, who won the Logie Award for Most Popular Actor in a Mini-series.
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However, in 1904 Floyd MacFarland (lower left), a vindictive racist , went to Australia to confront him. He brought with him Iver Lawson, another racist, who would win the World Championship six months later in London.
Taylor, Lawson and MacFarland produced the single most amazing and controversial series of cycle races in the history of Australia. In 1904 the three fought out racially charged battles before capacity crowds. During that summer Taylor suffered the most severe injury of his career; had a nervous breakdown at the end of it; did not race again for three years, though at the peak of his career; and effectively never again raced in America. |
A lot of time on a movie set is spent waiting!
See the Internet Movie Database for more details on the film.
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Floyd MacFarland
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Iver Lawson
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The producer, Damien Parer, Jr., and Skip Watkins, the stills photographer, briefed me on how to play my part as an immobile spectator, in my screen debut.
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The Sydney Cricket Ground at night, with its gas-lit cycle track, circa 1903.
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With Jan Brown, Major Taylor's great-granddaughter, Worcester MA, June 2011,
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and Lynne Tolman, of the Major Taylor Association, at the Taylor sculpture, Worcester.
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