AMERICA FOR ME

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1953

Format: 16mm

Description: America For Me is a color travelogue film promoting Greyhound Lines, Inc. It was produced by Jerry Fairbanks Productions in 1953, and written by Les Adams. Cast members for the movie are Ellen Drew (American film actress), John Archer (American actor), Meg Randall (American film actress), and Robert Nichols (American actor). This film was directed by Albert H. Kelley, the last film he directed. In the film, a vacationing school teacher and her friend take a tour of America on a Greyhound Bus and find love. Two cowboys come out from the rocks of Colorado and stop the Greyhound bus as it travels down the road (0:07-0:38). Cowboy pays for his ride and sits down (0:38-1:12). Garden of the gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado (1:18-1:21). Pikes Peak, and Steamboat Rock, Colorado (1:22-1:30). Views of the Colorado countryside (1:52-1:58). The Greyhound travels down a snowy, mountain road (2:16-2:28). They arrive in Gallup, New Mexico (2:53-2:57) where there are Tribal Dances going on (2:58-3:26), Butterfly Dance (3:31-3:57), and Sun, Moon, and Stars Dance (4:30-4:50). The Greyhound Lines, Inc. began in 1914 in Hibbing, Minnesota, and simply goes by Greyhound (5:01-5:05). Arriving at a Greyhound Post House Restaurant (5:56-6:05). Key West, bridge from island to island (7:03-7:24). The Greyhound stopping at Greyhound–Big Pine Key, Post House (7:25-7:49). 1914 Greyhound bus which went between Allison and Hibbing, Minnesota (8:15-8:32). Teacher recites part of Henry Van Dyke’s poem "America For Me" (8:45-9:07). Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) Festival, New Orleans, Louisiana, parade of floats (9:23-10:07). Portland, Oregon Rose Festival parade and floats (10:19-10:46). San Antonio, Texas with views of the Alamo (11:00-11:32). San Antonio Fest with folk dancers (11:37-12:01). San Antonio River Walk (12:02-12:24). Greyhound travels through the plains (12:55-13:02). A beautiful lake in Michigan (13:56-14:12). A sailboat on the lake (14:13-14:17). Fishing below a waterfall (14:18-14:33). Atlantic Ocean coastline and the first Lighthouse established by George Washington and the United States Lighthouse Establishment (14:48-15:18). The bus driving through the countryside to Lyman House Red Horse Tavern, now called the Wayside Inn, Sudbury, Massachusetts (15:19-16:00). An aerial view of New York City, New York (16:27-16:38). Washington, D.C. and the Washington Monument (16:51-16:54), and Cherry Blossom Time and the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial (16:55-17:15). Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s home (17:20-17:42). The Golden Gate Bridge, and Oakland Bay, San Francisco, California (18:27-18:39). A view of Twin Peaks near Telegraph Hill (19:06-19:09). A Cable Car (19:11-19:16). Fisherman’s Wharf (19:20-19:39). A Cable Car (19:45-19:50). The Red Wood forest of California (20:08-20:37). Red Woods (21:10-21:24). The Columbia River, Oregon (23:56-24:02). Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, and its mountain grandeur (24:44-25:42). A Chicago street (28:10-28:17). Chicago’s Buckingham Fountain (29:32-29:36). Buckingham Fountain (30:19-30:22) Niagara Falls, Canada (30:23-30:30).

Complete Record:

Transcription

[Music] trying to head us off you don't think it's a hold up do you no I don't think so I've hope not [Music] so long then see you next fall I'm heading for Galla isn't he going honey poked hello there [Music] my greetings included you too [Music] ma'am you're missing the garden of the god son over there that's Pike's Peak that's Steamboat Rock on the right oh the rocks are all so that's how the state gets its name Colorado is a Spanish word for red oh it certainly pays to travel with a school teacher after all Taffy I'm taking this tour to write a thesis for my Master's Degree in our state teachers got credits for traveling so you can teach geography better so we can teach everything better the more we get around and see the country the more we know what makes America tick [Music] Amia do you know that man over there hasn't opened his eyes for hours sh he'll think you're trying to to well I am [Music] Mr Williams yes ma'am did you see the balance Rock back there no ma'am I must have dozed off we ought to stay awake you miss a lot such as what ma'am hey there a lot of wild Indians around here well I'll see plenty of wild Indians when we get to gallop if the tribal dancers are still on [Music] [Music] there are tribes here from all over the [Music] West oh look there's another kind of dance I wonder what kind that is [Music] excuse me could you tell us what dance that is butterfly dance ma'am they think butterflies are the spirits of their departed ancestors [Music] [Music] hey where are the two girls that were sitting here well I think I know where they are I'll get them [Music] thanks that's the sun moon and star dance H gets them all in at once huh they're not taking any chance of slighting any of them it's their prayer for abundant crops long life and [Music] happiness excuse me you GS better get a move on if you don't want to miss your bus oh our bus [Music] so you're going to Spokane yeah and you're going to Pendleton to be in the rodeo yes ma'am round about like I had to see a man back in Gallop you boys like traveling yeah especially this way you can see a lot you can always catch a bus so I noticed but I thought a cowboy always rode his horse every place he went they do maam but my horse is a regular home body so I make the long trips by myself of course I send him postcards along the way [Music] it'll be a 30-minute stop here for lunch [Music] folks you know ma'am I was right pleasantly surprised what do you mean well you actually smiled a few moments ago on you it look [Music] good thank you oh careful man [Music] ah honey I just know what I'm talking about he likes you that's silly exide's too fresh hello mind if we share the table oh of course honey to's company thre is are cing for us just right well move over Mia thanks hey what are you eat for all grapefruit tastes good I've never heard of it before well you ought to come down our way and have of spice conquart where's that on the way down from Miami to Key West there's where you go to Sea by bus it's a fabulous Highway shooting right out over the ocean for more than 100 miles like I told Amia she's just got to have that in that theme she's riding Bridges carry you from one tropical island to another keys they call them I don't know why key is the Spanish word for Ireland oh well halfway down is Greyhound key that's a nice spot to stop off especially if you like deep sea fishing the Post House there serves the yummiest dishes like baked Bone Fish and key lime pie I've eaten in post houses all the way from New England riding a bus you get to sample the specials of the country you travel through I ride a bus because it's more fun right now I'm on an expense paid Tour on a tour where's the rest of your party oh well that's the way they do it with Greyhound you can travel alone or in a group and go where you please you see the whole trip is planned before you leave they even make hotel reservations if you like I was practically raised on a bus you see I was born in Minnesota that's where Greyhound started between two little towns aliceon [Music] Hibbing up to then the fair was a dollar a half one way so they started this first bus line and charged 15 cents that's surprise anyone up there how this bus business is grown greyhounds run in every one of the 48 states now and Canada too I'm putting that in my thinge whatever gave you the idea for this theme you're writing well one of my favorite poems is Henry van Dykes it's home again home again America for me my heart is turning home again and there I long to be in the land of you Youth and freedom beyond the ocean bars where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars so my thesis is titled America for me Well ma'am you're a sharper and a horn toad yeah give us an educated for instance well for instance I've written up one of the oldest festivals on Earth and it's celebrated in this country the martig gr it started 5,000 years ago among the Greeks and Romans to welcome the spring when the early Christian Church decreed the 40 days of lent it was made the period of fun and feasting just before lent since it comes just ahead of Ash Wednesday it was named Fat Tuesday by the French who brought the celebration of this country Fat Tuesday in French is Migra I don't know when anyone sleeps that whole week but it's something you'll never forget the rest of your life and while you're talking about shindigs don't forget the big Rose Festival up our way you mean a Pasadena no dog gunet I mean Portland Oregon the city of roses it's right next to Mount Hood they can put on a Rose Festival and a ski Carnival the same day you haven't seen America till you've seen the Northwest and we're sure going to see part of it on our way to the Canadian Rockies say Tex haven't you got anything to brag about in your part of the country well now ma'am that's a right ory thing to say to a man from Texas the state so big that some of the counties are bigger than some states now you take my hometown San [Music] Anton about half our town is as Mexican as Chihuahua half as as Western as a Chism Trail and just across the street is another half as North American as Chicago isn't that three haves ma'am in Texas everything is big enough to have three Hales and of course we have the the Alamo you you know the old saying Remember the Alamo we remember it with a Santa Ceno Fiesta every [Music] year yes that's pretty but do you know what I remember most of all about San Antonio it's that little old twisty river that winds in and out all through the town and you made the best looking soldiers San Anton's been an Army Post for several hundred years anyway I met one and we went for a boat ride on the river it was terribly romantic oh you and your romance hey we better get back to our bus [Music] well I guess we won't be seeing you boys tomorrow am and I are going to stay over when the bus stops at Sunset and take to 8:00 in the morning aren't we you know uh that's funny uh we're going to do the same thing yeah what a coincidence [Music] morning ma'am you're in the wrong seat aren't you well I thought the other young lady' like to sit with Chuck this morning hi hi good morning morning morning [Music] yes ma'am it's a big [Music] country yes ma'am it's a powerful Big Country it's a little overpowering I prefer New England you know I never been to New England the furthest East I ever got was Michigan isn't Michigan along long away from Texas don't you try to get a long way from home for your vacation you know they call Michigan the water Wonderland whether you're skimming along in a boat or lazing on the bank or or fishing for some of their game fish [Music] now that's my idea of a vacation nice but I still prefer New England well now ma'am if you tell me about it maybe I'd agree with you well up there you have the feeling of being at the birthplace at the beginnings of America that's where the pilgrims landed on that same Stern and rockbound Coast when George Washington established the Lighthouse service the first lights were built in New England it's a fascinating thing to take a tour of these famous landmarks so many visitors come up there from all parts of the country lighthouses are so friendly and reassuring and at the same time so ageless and along the way the woods and Temple Hills the same that watched the pilgrims gathering for the first Thanksgiving and Ethan Allen's boys marching to meet the Red Coats you eat in places that were old before there was a United States such as Lyman house Red Horse Tavern later it became longfellow's Wayside in once this was the first overnight stop of the stage coach out of Boston it was a day's run then in today's coach it is only a matter of minutes through its hospitable front door Travelers have been entering into its welcome for for almost 300 years ma'am you're you're downright poetical that sounds like right nice country oh I didn't mean to get carried away hey looks like Tex is finally melting down your friend a [Music] little uh I have a lot about New York in my [Music] theme in fact I could have done a whole paper on it just to stand on top the Empire State Building and look down to me it's another Grand Canyon up our way teachers take their pupils down to New York every year in charter [Music] buses another favorite spot to take them is Washington DC and my theme I say one of the best times to go is cherry blossom time when all the the buildings and monuments are given a fairyland [Music] quality the spot I like especially to go is Mont Vernon no matter how often you go from the moment you step on the ground you you actually feel the presence of Washington the house and grounds look today exactly as they did when George and Martha lived [Applause] there say do you sleep in those specs I beg your pardon I mean can you see without them of course I can I only wear them when I travel why they're pretty what are your ass say you know I'll bet if you cut or fluffed up your hair or something you'd be powerful handsome hey Tex your next chance to send your horse a postcard will be San Francisco yeah will you see San Francisco I'll show you how to open up that Golden Gate and what a sight it is the Golden Gate Bridge and Oakland Bay you know it's like a fell said once these Americans they think everything they have is the biggest or the longest or the tallest and it usually is I think some of us brag too much about our country Shucks I don't it's just our way of telling her we love her you know when I get married I'll be telling my wife that she's the sweetest little woman and the best cook in the world you think she ain't going to like that [Music] well as I was saying about San Francisco ma'am you'll want to be sure and see Twin Peaks Telegraph Hill it wouldn't be San Francisco without cable cars and [Music] Chinatown Fisherman's Warf is one place you'll have to go when you see how they dish out the shrimp you'll know for sure this is the Land of Plenty and there's Market Street with the ferry building at the lower end for a real view of the city you got to go way up to the top of the mark and speaking of something High I suppose you know that tomorrow we'll be seeing the oldest and the highest well anyway we'll be seeing the Redwoods then you say what they are aren't they huge hard to believe aren't they yeah I was just thinking there a dog gone big I don't see what why they ain't in Texas well honey if they wasn't so dog on big we'd sure enough move them for you well now thanks partner if one of you girls had chained seats with one of us we could see how big they are on both sides all righty no thank you Amilia honey I don't understand you at all he's so nice and well you're not very nice to him he's too forward I don't like that type of man well you won't have to put up with him much longer he's changing for Pendleton tomorrow well I'm really not interested in what he does but he [Music] [Music] morning Tech hi uh what time should bus leave Tex oh pretty soon now did you see those Indian earrings I wanted to buy they were very attractive oh well look there [Music] boys well hello there honey ma'am Tex was wondering if he'd see you two before he left oh I'm awful sorry you have to leave T So Am my Taff excuse me well that's the most cordal brush off I ever had in my life Well ma'am I'll uh I'll be leaving the party soon Goodbye Mr Williams I don't know why but I sure seem to rub you the wrong way if I've said anything wrong I'm downright regretful but I'll tell you one thing I've seen a lot of females but you take the silverplated Spurs for being the cdist put that in your theme [Music] Amia honey have you written anything about the Columbia River in your [Music] theme no not [Music] yet say I can help you with this part we're following the old Oregon Trail people say it's the most picturesque 70 M of highway in the United States when I hit this stretch I know I'm almost home you girl staying in Spokane tonight yes a greyhound most people made reservations for us we like to stop overnight and travel Day times you see so much more that way tomorrow we go to Canada oh I can hardly wait why do you know I've never been out of the United States before will you send me a postcard let me know how you like it okay I will say that's just like text writing postcards to his horse wasn't that cute [Music] how does this sound to me I wrote it to Chuck dear Chuck have been riding through Canada all day long and the scenery is scrumptious tomorrow B and Lake Louise having a wonderful time love Taffy you do have a wonderful time don't you Taffy well I aim to [Music] [Applause] L Louis oh it's all I ever imagined it to be it's pretty [Music] all the water is absolutely dreamy it's nice but what's the matter with you what do you mean look honey we've been here for 3 days and what have you done absolutely nothing but sit around and moon all day or you haven't written one word in your theme you know what I think I think the teacher ought to sit in the corner for being such a Dun I don't know what you're talking about you know exactly what I'm talking about look you cut your hair why don't you let it down oh Taffy I knew I was wrong but I just couldn't do anything about it somehow we always got my goat well I'm going home tomorrow I guess I missed the bus well there'll be another bus along I wish I could thank you Taffy but there's nothing anyone can do now it's been wonderful Taffy oh Mia I wish you could stay all week with me I do too but I have to get back I want to see my aunt in Chicago before I go home you be sure and write me you here of course I will Taffy goodbye goodbye and good luck [Music] goodbye maybe something good will happen I said maybe something good will happen before you get home bye bye [Music] hello Hello Operator he's connected with the rodeo there in Pendleton oh you have him hello Tex this is taffy [Music] Michigan Avenue next stop Greyhound terminal Chicago Loop [Music] [Applause] [Music] I'm sure sorry man excuse me excuse me what what's the matter boss miss your bus is it 230 in from the West yet yes and unload it was there another section coming in today not today s I guess you're right I sure missed the bus did you miss me too amedia oh wait wait wait a minute you don't get away from me again but how did you come on let's get out of here where we can [Music] [Applause] [Music] talk so when Taffy phoned me in Pendleton I knew I had to H you off I still wasn't sure about you but when I saw your hair all fluffed up and no specks I knew I was right oh you were right Tex well now my Ranch ain't the biggest I mean isn't I have to watch my English now that I'm marrying a school teacher well it isn't the biggest in the world but it's all mine with you there to help me it's going to seem a lot bigger but what about my teaching my Master's Degree my theme well you can teach me from now on honey and you won't have to ride a theme we're going to live one just as soon as we can get a license and get hitched I mean married [Music] holy the Lord for [Music] [Applause] [Music]


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