BULL-FIGHTING IN SPAIN

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25994, 23 December 1949, Page 10

BULL-FIGHTING IN SPAIN

“WORST SEASON IN 25 YEARS ” FOOTBALL BECOMING MORE POPULAR [By HENRY BUCKLEY, a Reuter Correspondent] MADRID, November 23. Football is Ousting bull-fighting as the Spaniard’s fayourite sport. Nearly I,QUO,COO fewer people went to bullfights this year than last, and nearly 7UU lewer bulls were sold. The bullfighting season which has just ended here was the worst-in a quarter of a century, except for the period 193340 when the Civil War and its aftermath interfered with all forms of public entertainment. The fact that there were only 175 corridas—fully fledged bull-fights as distinct from fights of lesser category such as novilladas and capeas—this year compared with 291 last year, meant that the matadors had 350 fewer engagements. The average' number of corridas since 1925. except for the Civil War years, has been 260 a year.

Economic depression would not appear to be the explanation of the diminished popularity of the bull-fight-ing in Spain. Even if the volume of Spanish business activity is somewhat less than in the first fever of reconstruction, it has by no means reached a crisis; and neither football, the cinema, the theatre or other places of entertainment are reflecting the catastrophic decline which has hit the rings this year. The fact that the lesser categories of fights just about hold their own does not impress the experts. There were 12 more novilladas this year than last, but many of the annual fairs substituted these for corridas. Litri’s Brilliance In addition, the dynamic and youthful Miguel Baez, known as Litri, by breaking all records for the Spanish ring in fighting 113 fights in one season, gave an unusual stimulus to the lesser-category fights, but nearly all the other famous figures of the ring fought far fewer fights this year than last. Luis Miguel Dominguin, who rates in most opinions as the best matador in Spain, fought 70 fights this year-as against 100 last year, while Paco Munoz fought 13 fewer. One man who did exceptionally well, however, and improved his record was Manuel Gonzalez, the young Sevillan matador who fought more than any other matador. He has a total of 78 fights to his credit, 22 more than last year. It was, however, a bitter pill for the matadors that the best of them still had 35 fights fewer than the new wizard of the ring—Litri. Of the some 1108 bulls fought in the corridas, the breeder who supplied most bulls was Atanasio Fernandez with 60. The famous Miura bulls, one of which killed Manolete, were represented by 30 animals only this year. No fighters were killed in the ring, but Jaime Marco, Pepin Martin Vazquez, Manuel Dos Santos, and Julian Marin were among matadors who were seriously goaded. Out of the welter of discussion as to why 1949 should have resulted in such a “black year,” the following facts stand out; (1) the public is in revolt against the tremendous increase in admission prices; (2) the high costs are a result of the fact that everyone wants to get rich quick in the ring, a fashion set by Manolete, who fought for eight years as a matador and left property worth £430.000 when he died; (3) there is little rivalry in the rings to stimulate the sport, as the “stars” usually insist on fighting with other matadors whom they name; (4) the tendency to use smaller bulls reduces the “emotion” of the fights; (5) the corruption existing among full-fight critics and the fact that some of them are suspected of taking large sums from the matadors reduces public interest.

Next year may see some improve-, ment. Litri will presumably become a full matador. If he then continues his brilliant and meteoric career, he should put new life into the corridas. British Bull-Fighter An interesting and novel sidelight on the season was the appearance in the ring of a British fighter—Vincent Charles Hitchcock.

This 22-year-old former ship's purser of London faced his first bull in March. By September, he had fought and killed 18 bulls in 10 fights and acquitted himself most honourably. In almost every fight he was awarded at least, the ear of his enemy, an honour not too easy for a newcomer to earn. Critics believe that this tall young Englishman has the makings of a mats dor. Next season will be the testing time. He has made a start and secured a good footing; but he still has really to make the grade to secure admission into the bull-fighting world and to reach important rings, such as Seville, Madrid, and Barcelona. It is. however, a good sign that he was offered a fight in Madrid this season. Wisely, he refused, realising that he had not sufficient knowledge of the technique of fighting.