We recently learned that at least two velodromes – “Spartaks” (before and after known as Marss) and “Senču sils” – were used as filming locations for two feature films.
Newspapers from 1941 reported intense activity at the “Spartaks” Sports Society velodrome. The velodrome, heavily worn by time, had been transformed so much that it was difficult to recognize.
Both ends of the track were surrounded by a neat whitewashed wooden fence over one meter high. The running track around the field was covered with soft white sawdust, which also artistically decorated the green lawn. Atop two white poles stood gilded double-headed eagles from the Tsarist era. In the center of the grandstand, golden letters in Russian read: “Velodrome”.
The field was decorated with Tsarist tricolor flags, countless pennants, garlands of greenery, and bouquets of flowers. The feature film “The Beginning of Aviation” was being filmed.
Interestingly: another source refers to the same film as “The Aviator”, while in Russian it was titled “В мёртвой петле”, translated into Latvian as “Nāves cilpā” (“In a Dead Loop”) – three titles for one film.
At 9 a.m., buses arrived one after another from the Riga Feature Film Studio, bringing actors already fully dressed and made up: noble ladies, generals, police officials, officers, students, and gymnasium pupils – all wearing Tsarist-era uniforms (approximately 2,000 people).
Among the extras were also many well-known Latvian cyclists – P. Džarcāns, Ozoliņš, Vilsons, Podiņš, Vītiņš and others. Filming at the “Spartaks” velodrome continued that day and the next, after which it moved to the “Dinamo” velodrome at Senču sils.
The main actors were advised by former All-Union motorcycle racing champion A. Bērmanis and republic-level cycling coach A. Kipels.
Unfortunately, the footage filmed during the war was lost. However, in 1961, production of the feature film “In a Dead Loop” was resumed. Once again, Latvian cyclists took part in the filming.
The film can be viewed
(unfortunately in poor quality):
Watch the film on YouTube
Additionally, in 1963, the film “Bicycle Tamers” was produced – a parody comedy or a “film within a film”. It featured Lyudmila Gurchenko, Eduards Pāvuls, Reinis Arēns, Olga Krūmiņa, and Rina Zelyonaya. The storyline revolves around a cycling race from Tallinn to Riga.
The film can be viewed
(unfortunately in poor quality):
Watch the film on YouTube
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