June 3, 2013

Pushing the Myths: Freedom Highway (1956)

"In this film a Greyhound bus rides from San Francisco to Washington D.C, transporting us at the same time through the landscape of American mythology (and unwavering patriotism).

"The cast of bus riders include: Fred Schroder who, embittered by the death of his son in Korea, is riding to Washington to accept a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor on the son’s behalf; Jimmy Rollins, a Scout, heading to Washington for his first Jamboree; Mary (a young Angie Dickinson) and Bill Roberts, a basketball star on the make; actor and country star Tex Ritter, playing himself, taking a short ride on the bus as it passes through Texas, singing about the Alamo and the “freedom road.”; and most importantly, a black-suited mysterious stranger who appears, as if from nowhere, to transform the outlook of the passengers.

"Greyhound Lines and America have never looked so good. Winner of the Freedoms Foundation Special Award."

Posted by gerardvanderleun at June 3, 2013 9:59 AM
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Hey, that's a SceniCruiser! Designed by the mighty Raymond Loewy! Well done.

Posted by: Velociman at June 3, 2013 3:55 PM

....and Bill Roberts, a basketball star on the make....(football)?

Neatest thing I've seen in a while

'cept Crawford's recent rant about the wimmens

Posted by: Cletus Socrates at June 3, 2013 4:51 PM

I downloaded this off of the Prelinger Archives years ago, and we made a family movie night out of it. There are lots of other good movies like this there. Search there for:

Social Class in America
A Citizen Makes a Decision
A Day of Thanksgiving
The Egg and Us
Freedom and Power
Midwest Holiday
Holiday from Rules?
A is for Atom

Posted by: Remember personal info? at June 3, 2013 5:43 PM

Thanks for posting this. I was born in 1952. I enjoyed watching something that reminds me of those times; a reverence of the past. A smart advertising person might consider re-introducing a patriot message in advertising. There are 50% percent of us or more who would respond.

Posted by: Craig at June 3, 2013 5:44 PM

Thanks for posting this. I was born in 1952. I enjoyed watching something that reminds me of those times; a reverence of the past. A smart advertising person might consider re-introducing a patriot message in advertising. There are 50% percent of us or more who would respond.

Posted by: Craig at June 3, 2013 5:44 PM

Great old film and it reminded me of when I was a kid.

Posted by: Jack at June 4, 2013 12:17 PM