American Classics
Producer: Janson Media
Director: TBA
Director: TBA
Format: 6 x 60 Minutes
Production Status: In Development
Delivery Date: TBA
Budget: TBA
Financing: TBA
Television Distribution: Janson Media
Video/DVD Rights: Janson Media
Notes: Janson Media is seeking both corporate underwriters and broadcast partners for the production of this special. A complete presentation is available upon request.
Introduction:
We all have memories of road trips we took with our parents when we were children. Long journeys in the car spent waiting impatiently for that first diner to appear so we could pull over for a hamburger and fries. Or the anticipated stop at one of the many gas stations along the way to fuel up on a cold soda and candy bar.
Our Saturday nights were spent at the Bowling Alley or the Drive-In. Shopping was done on Main Street at the 5 & 10 store, where mom could buy household goods and gifts for everyone as we sat at the lunch counter indulging in a milk shake and grilled cheese sandwich.
Today, this classic American lifestyle seems to be disappearing, replaced by a fast moving society that doesn't have time to slow down for a cup of coffee and a diner meal, or the social interaction that an evening at the bowling alley provides.
This documentary series takes a nostalgic look at the institutions that are representative of the American dream and the few people in America who are working to preserve it.
The following are short synopses of the episodes in this series.
For complete presentation, please contact our office.
The Five & Dime Store
The 5 & 10 began with F. W. Woolworth, who founded his first 5-cent stores in Utica, NY, and Lancaster, PA, in 1879. The 5 & 10 stores were precursors to today's department stores, housing everything from clothes and household supplies to candy, toys, and glassware.
Following in Woolworth's footsteps, were the Samuel H. Kress stores, based in Memphis, TN. Kress stores opened up primarily in the southern United States in the early 1900s and continued building new stores through the 1930s, and became an icon of Main Street. The Kress chain set itself apart from the other stores by having an in-house architectural team that gave the stores a consistent interior and exterior design.
Dime stores in America were more than just stores, and served as city anchors, drawing customers from all around to their lunch counters and cash registers. The decline of the 5 and 10 reflects the decline of Main Street, and as these stores stand empty, their historic architecture and the meaning of what they represent serve as both motivation and inspiration for those looking to revitalize Main Street.
The Drive-In Theatre
The first drive-in theater opened on June 6, 1933 in Camden, NJ, invented by Richard Hollingshead. In the 1940s, the concept of the drive-in was still pretty new. The theatres used to hold "open houses" during the day to let people know what to expect, as they demonstrated to the future customers how to park, how the sound system worked, and what food was available at the concessions stand. By 1948 there were 820 drive-ins across the United States.
By 1958, the drive-in had reached its peak, with over 4000 theaters operating in the US. The drive-in is a part of American history that was built around the car culture. It was for families who wanted an evening out with the kids, and an escape for teenagers who wanted to get away from their parents. It was a social, interactive experience that resulted in a lifetime of stories for those who were lucky enough to have had the experience.
Today, there are about 30 or 40 drive-ins operating in the US. In Warwick, N.Y, Beth and Ernie Wilson are working to keep one such drive-in alive. Beth's father passed the Warwick drive-in on to the couple in 1996 and they have been doing a prosperous business ever since.
The Gas Station
Henry Ford's Model-T rolled out of the factory in 1908 and spawned an American revolution - mobility. The gasoline station fueled the passion Americans had for the road.
The petroleum industry began with kerosene and gasoline marketed and sold through independent jobbers or bulk dealers to retail outlets like grocery and hardware stores. The Standard Oil Company, founded by John D. Rockefeller prior to WWI, competed boldly to control the petroleum industry until the breakup of the trust in 1911, allowing new companies to emerge in the petroleum marketplace, pushing gasoline and motor oil sales to the forefront.
The clashing brand signs, however, marked the beginning of the marketing potential that could be found on America's roadways. The traditional gas station now numbers fewer than 100,000 in the United States. However, vintage gas stations are still the most visible reminder of the role transportation has played in transforming the American landscape in the 20th century. In the evolution of roadside America, the gas station is a vital part of history.
The Bowling Alley
Bowling, a pastime rich in history and dating back even to 5200 BC, is one of the most popular sports in the world. Brought to America in the 1620s by the Dutch, the game began with nine pins, until 1895, when the American Bowling Congress standardized the game at the Beethoven Hall in NYC.
Bowling became exceedingly popular in America during the 1950's. Hot rods and drive-ins were cultural icons, Eisenhower was in the White House, and families could gather in a safe, fun environment - the Bowling Alley. Bowling alleys, which often housed not only lanes to bowl on, but also coffee shops and cocktail lounges, were the place to hang out on a Friday or Saturday night
In an age where human beings are becoming isolated from each other because of technology and tremendous workloads, people are seeking a way to return to the era of Americana. Across the country, people are fighting that notion and are trying to hold onto the ideal of bowling as more than just an American sport; bowling is a reason to interact with one's community, an all-American social activity.
Hamburger, Fries, & BBQ
There is a spectrum of food from around the world available to us in the United States, from French to Japanese. Yet with all of these choices, we still return to our favorites time and again, food that is really American - hamburgers and fries; and the good, old fashioned barbecue. The burger and the barbecue were around in some form when the Native American Indians lived here.
In 1904, the first hamburger was served at the World's Fair in St. Louis, and since, hamburger and "hamburger joint" have become part of our everyday vocabulary.
Today, Americans are so fond of their hamburgers that museums have been created in honor of the American delicacy and web chats are devoted to recipes and hamburger restaurant recommendations.
Barbecuing is another pastime that conjures up thoughts of leisure and vacation, and is one of America's favorite ways to cook a meal. Even though the origin of the barbecue is just as unclear as that of the hamburger, this old American pastime now has several versions, depending on which area of the country you are in.
These two different styles of American fare require ritual that is familiar in a comforting kind of way, and inspire memories of lazy summer days in the backyard with friends and family. America's favorite foods will never go out of style, as they epitomize the American Dream and remind us of just that... each time we take a tasty bite.
The Diner
The history of the diner started with the lunch cart, based on the idea of bringing quality, home-style meals to the working people of Providence, and to make it fast, convenient, and economical. It evolved into an outlet for nightlife and community, a place where people could gather. While diners originated in the cities of America, they soon became a staple of the road, dotting major highways across the country, and beckoning travelers into its cozy environment with the promise of friendly service, hot coffee, and good conversation.
During the twenties and thirties, manufacturers in the Northeast began turning out hundreds of diners and continued well into the fifties, helping to spawn a new restaurant industry. Diners were often the place where the community could get together at any hour of the day, and were always a safe place for a date...
Today, many diners have met the same fate - abandonment or demolition. Fast food establishments, superhighways and rest stops, and a fast moving society have all but left them behind. The diner is a keen reminder to our traveler and to us all that this is life on the road, life in America - no matter where you go, you will always find a piece of home in a diner, everyone's kitchen.