Though its been well over 50 years since this wonderful series aired, I still have vivid memories of the many episodes shown. This series had an impact on this 10 year old and fired up my life long fascination with history. I never knew that one day I would play my own part in our country's history. I believe this series, "Profiles in Courage" and the long forgotten "Our American Heritage" are the only historical anthology series ever attempted by the major networks. All three of them only lasted a single season. But for this series, what a season it was.
The series opened each week with scenes from America's history from its founding to the present day space program. These scenes were played out to a stirring and memorable composition by Richard Rogers. The theme of the series was that the United States from its creation has been, "a great adventure", and that we were continuing with that adventure with the exploration of space. At the conclusion of each episode, the show urged Americans to explore their history by visiting their local library.
The very first episode was a memorable one about the CSS Henley. The high production values and excellent acting set the tone for the rest of the series. President Andrew Jackson was a very popular figure with the American public back in the 1950s and 1960s and figures in three episodes of this series to include one that tells the tale of his experience as a boy soldier in the American Revolution. In one of the very last episodes he exacts his revenge on the British for his treatment as a prisoner of war by decisively defeating the British attempt to capture New Orleans in the War of 1812. Michael Rennie, among other actors, plays a memorable role of Jefferson Davis on the run in, "The Treasure Train of Jefferson Davis".
Another memorable episode is the one about WWII hero Rodger Young, played by James MacArthur. Aired only 20 years after his death, this episode is the only one of the entire series that takes place in the 20th Century, and the only one that takes place during WWII. This hero was still very fresh on the minds of many Americans who lived during WWII when this episode aired. Its sad that even today's US Army has forgotten this hero.
This series has not aired on TV since the re-runs in the summer of 1964. But I have never forgotten the stories, the lessons and inspiration we can gain from them. Its too bad the series is not currently available in DVD for the current generation to enjoy.
The series opened each week with scenes from America's history from its founding to the present day space program. These scenes were played out to a stirring and memorable composition by Richard Rogers. The theme of the series was that the United States from its creation has been, "a great adventure", and that we were continuing with that adventure with the exploration of space. At the conclusion of each episode, the show urged Americans to explore their history by visiting their local library.
The very first episode was a memorable one about the CSS Henley. The high production values and excellent acting set the tone for the rest of the series. President Andrew Jackson was a very popular figure with the American public back in the 1950s and 1960s and figures in three episodes of this series to include one that tells the tale of his experience as a boy soldier in the American Revolution. In one of the very last episodes he exacts his revenge on the British for his treatment as a prisoner of war by decisively defeating the British attempt to capture New Orleans in the War of 1812. Michael Rennie, among other actors, plays a memorable role of Jefferson Davis on the run in, "The Treasure Train of Jefferson Davis".
Another memorable episode is the one about WWII hero Rodger Young, played by James MacArthur. Aired only 20 years after his death, this episode is the only one of the entire series that takes place in the 20th Century, and the only one that takes place during WWII. This hero was still very fresh on the minds of many Americans who lived during WWII when this episode aired. Its sad that even today's US Army has forgotten this hero.
This series has not aired on TV since the re-runs in the summer of 1964. But I have never forgotten the stories, the lessons and inspiration we can gain from them. Its too bad the series is not currently available in DVD for the current generation to enjoy.