Synopsis:
On September 12, 1940, when they took the field for the first time, the Rangerettes made history, and changed the future of football halftime entertainment across Texas and the United States.
SWEETHEARTS OF THE GRIDIRON has a runtime of approximately 89 minutes and is not rated.
What We Thought:
Sweethearts of the Gridiron was educational and entertaining. I’m from Boston, but I have family in Kilgore, Texas and they knew a lot more about this than I did.
To be honest, I wasn’t familiar with the Rangerettes. I knew most teams had cheerleaders or dance troupes but I guess I never wondered who started it all. Kilgore College did. I grew up watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with my mom so I know I’ve seen the Rangerettes before, but never put it together that it was the same team every year performing.
I did think the documentary would be more about the history of the Rangerettes than what it is. It does give some history and it interviews 3 of the original Rangerettes and former Rangerettes, but the bulk of it is about current performers trying to make the team.
It shows the audition process and all the young women trying to make the team. You get some information about various girls, where they come from, how long they’ve wanted to be a Rangerette, etc. It also shows who made the team and who didn’t.
That part felt more like an MTV True Life show than documentary about a historical organization. The passion and drive in these girls is pretty astounding. The one competitor kept getting sick and had to go to the hospital yet desperately wanted to make the team. They all knew the history of the Rangerettes and many traveled from states away just to audition.
If you know and like the Rangerettes then Sweethearts of the Gridiron is for you. Even if you are like me and knew nothing about them, you’ll find it entertaining enough. It also proves that being a Rangerette never leaves you and some women got hired for jobs and were looked upon highly because they were former Rangerettes.
RECOMMENDED!
Recommended If You Like:
- Dance Moms
- MTV True Life
- The Rangerettes
The Nerds Templar 