Freedom Highway (1956)

[Music] never seen such War Johnny Reb don't get you the engines will don't get this California gold through General Grant will have our scalps anyway push him through Sergeant yes sir we can [Music] [Applause] w [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] I sing as I wonder along on the Lonely Road there's a song in my heart is I'm toen my we l over mountain and desert and Valley with the wind for a compass I see that I'm on the right road then mine is a light load for me thanks thanks to the heroes before me I'm free as the breeze I go wherever I please with my song along Freedom Road gone are the dark days of the war between the states gone to are the rumbling Wagon Wheels on the old Pioneer Trails today other wheels are rolling on the super highways of modern America this is a story of America and some of the people along the way the people could be you or me or The Neighbor Next Door that is all except one The Story begins on a California highway near San Francisco School meet Jimmy Rollins of Seattle on his way to Washington DC and his first Boy Scout jambe he's getting a king-sized thrill out of the everchanging view of America through these big picture windows how's it look to you so far son it's the greatest take this highway for instance it follows the coast all the way down to San Diego and then remember it's the same road the Spaniard followed almost 200 years ago only they call it El Camino Real King's Highway try and imagine how it looked then you mean with Spaniards on Horseback in your own minds ah yes Fred schroer of Portland Oregon also has his place in the story of America summoned to the nation's capital to receive a medal for his only son Fred schroer should be a proud man he isn't [Music] oh boy look at that it's the longest single span bridge in the world GE [Music] will aren't you even going to look look at it look at what it's only the Golden Gate Bridge [Music] only sure doesn't look like the old west well maybe not here and now but they tell me you should have seen it 100 years ago San Francisco was the old west then I see that street sign up ahead Sutter Street behind that sign I see Sutter's Mill the Valley of the Sacramento the year is 1848 John s's workmen were digging a new Mill Race in the river and found gold Suter tried hard to keep it quiet knowing it meant trouble but it was like fighting a prairie fire with a bucket people came from everywhere from Way Beyond the far Missouri the Mississippi and the mananga hila [Music] even the Rockies couldn't stop the rush for gold where there was no Road it was block and tackle and just plain old willpower skimming over our highways today in air conditioned Comfort it's hard to realize what those 49ers went through to get [Music] here a lot of them didn't make it but the rest kept coming it went on and on until the river of the Sacramento and all the runs and cricks were swarming with men seeking California gold jeez I can almost see it boy I wonder what happened to all that gold I can tell you what happened to some of it this man is another figure in our story of America perhaps the greatest of them all Mark him well in his way he is to affect the lives of several people during the war between the states both the North and the South badly needed that gold once General Grant sent a Detachment to bring through a wagon train of it they're massacred by Indians it's all part of our American history now Jimmy history we can be proud of why don't you know my name was Jimmy isn't he a little young for propaganda well I never thought of patriotism as having an age limit why shouldn't we be proud of our history Mr schroer even as late as that of Korea what do you mean by that San Francisco terminal 40 minutes for lunch well Jimmy let's see what's on the menu huh bye so long Jimmy sail it to the president for me where did I pick him up bu for Sacramento Chicago Le now voting at g s all board thank you that your number 14 no young fellow that's my safety record like you earn a badge in scouting that means I've driven for 14 years and never even been a Defender you must be pretty good oh they're plenty longer records than that the men who drive for Greyhound are proud they've made it the safest transportation in the land who's the proprietor around here where to please Philadelphia thank you hi there General hey aren't you Bill Roberts the Philadelphia Eagles could be excuse me oh he a professional football player thank you thank you fumble oh I'm sorry that's all right wrong way Roberts does it again thank you thanks coach [Music] anyway I don't have to be in Philly for a week to sign the contract so I thought I'd see the country I hear it's quite a country it is you um you live in New York I work there I've been home on vacation in San Francisco me too what do you know a couple of natives we got to go out of town to meet funny isn't it say look it's only a hop from Philadelphia to New York how about seeing the Big Town together why um I uh I'll be pretty busy oh oh I see guess I was offside huh mind if we have a little talk what about you have a problem so have I I thought we might be able to help each other find the answers I know the answer to mine are you sure you didn't look in the back of the wrong book hey Bill look at this excuse me my public look there's another one rude of the Pony Express it's all right here in my book writers of the Pony Express that's right Sacramento was the Western end of it you know and St Joe Missouri was the Eastern [Music] end here it is listen the first Telegraph line had been strung as far west as St Joel Missouri from there on the mail had to be carried by stage coach it was 2,000 M from St joea sacamento it took weeks and months and then they didn't always get through that's when the Pony Express was was organized people said it couldn't be done but it was 80 Dearing Young Riders many in their teens and 500 thrill breed horses they had stations along the way so a rider could change horses every 30 to 40 miles these Pony Riders would start out from St Joel with a pistol and a fair B and the Sacramento M no matter what the difficulties the dangers of the obstacles the Riders went through [Music] boy was that terrific you know you could almost see those ponies wish I would have been living then how old are you young man 13 sir 13 10 years ago he liked the West too who Mr Scher he was a boy scout they couldn't wait to get him in uniform either easy shoulder what's with this guy don't you like this country Mister no bill if you want to fight for it they'll give you a uniform too I put mine away after Korea any more questions I think it's time for some answers Bill Mr sher's only son was killed in Korea they just found out how the boy's been awarded the Congressional Medal of of Honor Mr scher's on his way to Washington to accept it I'm sorry sir I didn't know I didn't know anybody Congressional middle of Honor gosh that's the highest there is is [Music] it you know this is one of the few times comes in the world that never sleeps they all come here to gamble or because they have gambled and lost you mean I mean a person ought to be real sure she's marrying the right guy Waldo's a fine man and he has good prospects too Waldo besides he's my boss well I'm sure he's a good Dependable guy but do you have fun together of course course oh well not frivolous but oh well frivolous is the best kind sometimes that's where I could be [Music] [Applause] at where's the rest of your troop son they lost too no sir they went on a head my dog was sick and I couldn't leave till he got better oh good for you son I like a fell I could depend on even if I was a dog say aren't you text Ritter the movie Cowboy that's my brand I saw you get on at laramy have an own personal appearances uh Denver and places I wish I could hear you in person well could you well now maybe I could just one short one did you ever hear the legend of the Alamo I don't know did you ever hear of Davey Crockett oh sure well this song Here is about Davey and the Alamo now you try to imagine that you're in San Antonio Texas while I sing about it Alamo and the stubborn band that stood in the path of invasion 180 were challenged by Travis to die by the line that he drew with the sword when the battle was night and young David Crockett was first to cross over with a gallantry f in his eye for Goden for Freedom a man more than willing to die hi sanana we're killing your soldiers below that men wherever they go Will Remember the Alamo they sent a young Scout through the Battlement bloody and loud with the words of farewell from a Garrison Valiant and [Applause] proud grieve or not little darling my dying if Texas is Sovereign and free will'll Never Surrender ende with Liberty [Music] be hi Sano we k and your soldiers below that men wherever they go will remember the [Music] alore even our songs glorify senseless sacrifice what good did it do those few men to fight arm when they knew they'd all be killed anyway I've known the answer to that for sure I wouldn't be here I don't understand you you will before this Trip's over I promise you honest Mary that's the way it is oh bill right when I thought I had my life all planned and ordered why did you have to come along I'm awful glad I did aren you I don't know now that's why I like this kind of travel to me every mile of America is a Magnificent Mile especially when you can see it close up like we're [Music] doing but you've got to give me more time time time I'm running fresh out of G Mar I can't let you just walk out of my life this trip will be over before you know it you see we're coming into Chicago now that's Lake Michigan oh that Lake saved a good many lives once he did to look at it the way it is today it's hard to realize that right here in 1871 was the scene of the most destructive far there ever was th thousands of people saved themselves were waiting out into the lake where the smoke turned day into night and the Flames turned night into day all because Miss older's cow kicked over that land but the city rebuilt bigger and better than ever with only a few landmarks left to show where the great fire was h i see we're pulling in I'll be leaving you in Chicago you can get off look around if you want to you'll have a little time here well then Goodbye Mr Ritter just wa The Troop here as I rode this far with you pleasure is all mine Jimmy be your good [Music] scout oh goodbye TX go long partner see I know where I've seen you before was that so would you in my outfit the Old Second Division well was have lunch in Cleveland Cleveland already why is it time flies so when you're happy and drag so when you're unhappy ought to be the other way around hurry up when you're unhappy and slow down when you're happy so you can enjoy it you're a funny girl I mean funny peculiar funny haha I mean funny wonderful hey Bill [Music] oh so it's Pirates now huh you know I've been down where a lot of these felles to hang out Hest where Florida keys keys yeah it's a string of islands off the southern tip of the United States they're connected by a series of bridges making a highway almost 100 miles long as the crow flies stretching right out over the ocean all the way to Key West these islands were said to be part of the old Spanish Main like it says here in your book among these keys and CES Buccaneers used to lie and wait till a fat merchantmen came along or a rival pirate crew whereupon they would grapple in a furious fight [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] but there's a lot of buried treasure down there could be of course the important thing is to recognize a treasure when you find one [Music] we certainly made good time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike you're getting in a hurry now that your trip's almost over oh no I mean I mean I'm really enjoying seeing the country well uh remember one thing in this country a woman has a right to change her mind we're coming to another Post House last stop before [Music] Philadelphia Well we'd have been here 180 years ago we might still have eaten Philadelphia scrapple and Cherry Pie I doubt if we'd have been drinking iced coffee no there wouldn't have been this many people I bet now you're right although the uh roads were all pretty well traveled in 1776 bringing delegates to the Continental Congress they came from all corners of the 13 colonies by stage by Colonial coach and by horseback men who are on their way to keep their date with history and naturally there were delegates from Boston to report firsthand on Massachusetts answer to the stamp tax Secret organiz ation of Patriots we'd call them underground today Sons of Liberty staged the famous Boston Tea Party disguised as Indians they threw three shiploads of heavily taxed tea into the harbor so the delegates were gathering in a building that still stands in Philadelphia their meetings were stormy and exciting some of the colonists felt they weren't being so badly treated by standards of the old country but over here the people were beginning to breathe the exhilarating air of freedom it was a new idea in the world and they liked it it was a dangerous idea to [Applause] [Music] Aon the signing of the Declaration of Independence making all men free and equal why so long your signature my friend so John bull May read my name without his spectacles we must hang together or else most assuredly we'll all hang [Music] separately you can see that same Liberty Bell in Philadelphia today in Independence Hall where America became the first Free Nation on Earth hey I want to go get some Chung gum go ahead we better get back to the bus I imagine your son was a lot like that a [Music] lot I have an idea you know there are shrines and memorials to all our Wars America is still paying the price for Liberty even to this year of 1900 and now let's get to the point gladly I think we ought to take a short side trip you and I there's a bus waiting trust me you'll be glad of it the rest of your life all [Music] right so it is that when the rest of the party rolls into Philadelphia Schroeder and The Friendly Stranger are missing and these two have a problem of their own growing more acute by the moment okay I'll stick around while you phone [Music] him yes yes dear all right goodbye [Music] Walo Mary did you tell him about us I couldn't not just like that maybe that'll help you make up your mind thanks it does you and your football [Music] manners so it is with confused emotions that Mary returns to New York to her Pleasant career girl routine and to Waldo Mary hello Waldo welcome price welcome we better get out of here uh uh I have something in this box for you I'll take your luggage excuse us please I trust you feel completely rejuvenated there are a great many things at the office that require attention what's the matter Waldo I've got to tell you something yes my dear then I'll be going back to Philadelphia to Philadelphia [Music] you did say at 3:00 didn't you he better be here at 3 and he better sign that contract he will we'll need the [Music] money good news honey here I am could tell the old [Music] man har but but but but now what kind of language is that but but Waldo what about Waldo does that answer your question the ring never belonged there in the first place belonged to my mother really I just switched it well Bill Roberts you've got the ball now carry [Music] it this is the mysterious destination to which the stranger has lured Fred schroer what connection is there between this bit of Pennsylvania Countryside and far off Korea I still don't know why you wanted me to come here I wanted us both to come here because there's a message here we both need what message who are you anyway come to think of it I don't even know your name almost 100 years ago when he came to Gettys birg was in this very town you're comfortable Mr President Mrs wills and I want this night to be as easy for you as it will be memorable for us that's very kind of you judge I'm afraid they'll expect you to make a few remarks Mr President I better save my few remarks for tomorrow is there anything else no uh yes there is something else would you request the band to play Dixie for me Dixie Mr President Dixie sir somehow I think it would be a fitting thing at this time in this [Music] place fellow citizens the president is very tired and he'd like to be excused until tomorrow he asks that the band play Dixie Dixie what does he mean by that do you know that gburg is in Pennsylvania [Music] they seem to like it why not it's a mighty fine to I think you can hear it here listen I don't hear anything I don't listen beside that Monument that's where Abraham Lincoln stood to deliver his Gettysburg Address you can hear the murmur of the crowd gathered before the speaker's platform they're quieting now he's coming forward you can hear him now 4 score and 7even years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal now we are engaged in a great civil war testing whether that Nation or any Nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure we are met on a great battle field of that war we have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that Nation might live that from these honored dead we take increased Devotion to the cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in [Music] vain that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the People by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth did you hear that schroer did you hear that that was a message we both needed these Dead show will not have died in vain they wonder sometimes those who gave that last full measure of devotion if the people who inherited this country are worth a sacrifice well I've seen both now I've seen the country and the people they're worthy of each other you've made me understand too you have made me proud proud and humble I'm glad look after Jimmy will you I'll see you in Washington of course and I want to thank [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] it was nice of you to come and get me I wanted you here with me Jimmy that's the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the guard always there always and over there lie other Heroes the unknown of the war between the states and other Wars is this where supposed to meet him I thought we might he said he'd see us again come to think of it he didn't say we'd see [Music] him he was kind of strange but nice I wonder what he does I don't know Jimmy but whatever it is I have a feeling his job is done to think we never even knew his name [Music] his name like the words of President Harding when he dedicated this spot the name of him whose body lies here took flight with his imperishable soul we know only that his death marks him with the Everlasting Glory of an American who died for his country [Music]