MOVIES: The New Bradford Theatre was the place to be in August of 1948.

“Sights and Thrills you may never behold again!”

“Things that no civilized man had ever seen … brought back on film from blackest Malayan jungles by the man whose name has become a by-word for wild-animal thrills!”

Frank Buck’s Original “Bring ‘Em Back Alive” — “It’s the biggest thrill show on the screen!!!”

Continuous shows daily. Doors open at 2 p.m.

“Think of actually seeing things like these! A 30-foot python at death grips with a tiger! The bare-handed capture of a baby elephant in defiance of a maddened herd! Man-eating cats roaming a native village! A black panther caught in the jaws of a giant crocodile! And that supreme thrill of thrills, the finish fight between the bare-fanged masters of the jungle, tiger and black panther!”

Buck’s career was to capture wild animals for zoos and circuses in the early 20th century — this was long before the animal rights movement of the 1970s. Buck’s goal, to “bring ’em back alive,” was to capture animals without harming them, and emphasized care for them. Once the animals were captured, Buck would travel on the ship with them back to America to make sure they were treated well.

The 1932 documentary film chronicled his adventures and showcased his team’s efforts to capture various animals, including a monitor lizard, black leopard and spotted leopard, and his adoption of a baby honey bear and elephant.

The film, recorded without sound and with Buck later adding narration, was a success, leading to several sequels and inspiring a radio series of the same name.

The budget for the film was $100,000. The box office was $1,044,000. It was a blockbuster.