In many respects the Olympic Games prior to WW2 were vastly different from those held today. Largely without any sponsorship and definitely no TV coverage, these games were not lavish affairs. With only 22 countries participating in the fourth of the modern series of Olympics, most of the contestants were amateurs with full-time careers outside of sport. This Olympics broke a number of records including that of being the longest at 187 days.
From a personnel perspective and interest to me relates to the marathon or more precisely the distance thereof. The original distance was 25 miles but it was amended to become 26 miles in order that they could commence at Windsor Castle. It was amended again at the request of Princess Margaret so that the start could be beneath the windows of the Royal Nursery. What was so prominent about the Nurseries that the distance had to be extended.