Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)"John Wayne's Tribute to America" (originally aired as the television special, "Swing Out, Sweet Land", in 1970), isn't great TV, or an accurate American history lesson, but it IS fun, and reflects the genuine love and pride 'the Duke' felt for his country.
The special serves best as a 'time capsule' of entertainment of the era, which will bring a smile to older viewers, but may have today's kids scratching their heads...John Wayne, as the host/narrator, introduces slices of American history, 'Hollywood 1970' style...skinflint Jack Benny retrieves George Washington's tossed silver dollar, Bob Hope and Ann-Margret entertain the troops at Valley Forge, Dean Martin invents the cotton 'gin' (get it?), Rowan and Martin are the Wright brothers, "Bonanza's" 'Little Joe' Michael Landon buys Manhattan Island from 'Hoss' Dan Blocker (and 'Ben Cartwright' Lorne Greene plays George Washington, in another segment, featuring Hugh O'Brien as Thomas Jefferson, and William Shatner as John Adams)...Obviously, the material is 'dated', and everything is celebrity persona-'driven'...but some moments do shine! Johnny Cash performs a terrific musical number on a locomotive, Glen Campbell is very good, as well; Bing Crosby and Roscoe Lee Browne, as Mark Twain and Frederick Douglass, have a surprisingly sensitive, if brief, conversation about racial equality (so good that it almost seems out of place, amid the sillier moments). Yes, the musical finale is a bit 'over-the-top' (and proves that most actors can't sing a 'lick'), but Wayne keeps things light and patriotic, and is obviously enjoying himself!
As another of the releases to celebrate the Duke's 100th birthday, this nostalgia piece is a wonderful addition to any Wayne collection!
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An All-Star Spectacular with Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Dan Blocker, Roscoe Lee Brown, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, Bing Crosby, Phyllis Diller, Lorne Greene, Celeste Holm, Bob Hope, Michael Landon, Ann-Margret, Dean Martin, Ross Martin, Greg Morris, Rick & David Nelson, Hugh O'Brien, Rowan & Martin, William Shatner, Red Skelton, Tom Smothers and Leslie Uggams and Dennis Weaver. AMERICA'S ALL-TIME GREATEST MOVIE HERO PRESENTS AN HISTORICAL CELEBRATION WITH OVER TWO-DOZEN LEGENDARY GUEST STARS John Wayne's first television special, originally aired as Swing Out, Sweet Land on NBC-TV in 1970, is a patriotic and poignant journey through American history -- with music, comedy and many famous friends. As host and narrator, Wayne walks through pivotal moments in America's past. His guests include Jack Benny as a citizen asking George Washington (Lorne Greene) about that dollar he supposedly threw across the Potomac River; Bob Hope and Ann-Margret entertaining the troops at Valley Forge; printer Red Skelton discussing dissent with apprentice Tom Smothers; Lucille Ball as Miss Liberty; and Bing Crosby as Mark Twain, philosophizing with freed slave Frederick Douglass (Roscoe Lee Brown). Also: Dean Martin as inventor Eli Whitney; Michael Landon as Peter Minuit, buying Manhattan Island from an Indian (Bonanza co-star Dan Blocker); brothers Rick and David Nelson fighting on opposite sides in the Civil War; Phyllis Diller as a 19th-century Presidential candidate; Dan Rowan and Dick Martin as the Wright brothers; Celeste Holm and Dennis Weaver as the parents of young Abraham Lincoln; Greg Morris as Crispus Attucks, a Negro who died in the Boston Massacre. Musical highlights include Ribbon Of Steel by Johnny Cash, This Is A Great Country by Glen Campbell, Oh, Susannah by Roy Clark, Clementine by Leslie Uggams and God Bless America by the cast. JOHN WAYNE'S TRIBUTE TO AMERICA is a lavish and thoughtful timepiece of 20th-century television entertainment, presenting a parade of legendary stars in a humorous and hopeful celebration.DVD Bonuses:*Original Sponsor Commercials with John Wayne & Ed McMahon *John Wayne on What's My Line?
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