Customer Reviews

John Wayne's Tribute to America

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"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!

Dispite the fact that Duke left us close to 30 years ago he is still listed among the top 10 favorite movie stars....The only one from that great generation of Hope, Crosby, Stewart, Gable, Tracy etc..who is known to the under 20 group...
Marion Morrison's creation 'John Wayne' symbolized all that made America great..Manliness, Gentlemanliness, Patriotism, Individualism, Committment, Courage and the ability to laugh at oneself...
This is not a 'cornball' endorsement of America...It is a celebration...F.Scott Fitzgerald said, "France was a Land, England was a People, But America was an IDEA"...and this DVD pays tribute to that IDEA...That people of all races and religions could live, work and create together...
He doesn't shy away from looking at our faults as Crosby's Mark Twain and Browne's Frederick Douglas discussion proves...
While a devout Conservative he gives liberal Tommy Smothers the spotlight to read a stirring speech on the value of dissent...This was after the Smother's brothers show had been cancelled..Duke truly felt that, agree with him or disagree with him, EVERYONE should have the right to state their point of view (a belief that the champions of so called Political Correctness would crticize that they try to stifle all who disagree with their view)
I can't see how anyone could watch this old chestnut and not just be a little bit more proud of being an American....
GOD LOVE YA, DUKE AND "THANKS"

as told by John Wayne and a bunch of other entertainers, singers, dancers, and actors. The sad part is that I am pretty sure that most of these people are now deceased. It reminds us what it took to make America great and why we should support it even if we do not always agree with everything about it. This is good wholesome family entertainment. The dancers are talented and the costumes are well done.

Everyone in America should watch this at least once every July 4th. It will give you patriotic warm fuzzys.

John Wayne's America was done in the early '70s during a time of unrest in our country. It is a wonderful tribute to our country with a number
of wonderful celebrities taking part. I would highly recommend it.

I remember seeing the program on TV many years ago. I wanted the DVD for my collection of John Wayne memorabelia. If you consider the Duke a true American hero, this is a must have item.

This is what America is all about. Boy, do I miss those great whole some, positive, no-shock, variety shows like this one. It is so refreshing to see a program like this again, it really shows just how far TV shows have gone in the wrong direction. This is a must have, especially if you love John Wayne and are a collector.

Hollywood stars now a days do not compare to the stars of past. I feel for my young son. There are no current stars which use John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and/or Bob Hope as models. These types of stars are gone forever. They were famous and talented but also supported this wonderful country of America.

It seems like all the new movies stars have the same things in common - sex, violence and foul language movies.

If you get this product, your young children can sit down and watch a decent program. You don't have to worry about them hearing foul language and/or seeing sex plus violence being used. They can see and enjoy these famous stars of yesteryear. Hopefully, the love of country can be passed on to the next generation of actors and actresses.

We like John Wayne anyway and this was definetly not a disappointment. The whole thing was great. Many wonderful stars in it.

I bought this for my husband for Christmas as a Christmas gift because 1. he is a John Wayne fan and 2. he is very patriotic. We watched it tonight and it is a wonderful tribute to America. In 1970 I was 11 years old so some of the references were lost on me. My husband however is 8 years older than me and he remembered things I did not. Many people criticize America but if they sat down and counted all the advantages to American citizenship, they wouldn't be so unhappy. Where else can you freely complain about the government and make things change if you are persistant enough?
"How they got that horse up on the seventh floor, I'l never know." LOL

My dad is a huge John Wayne fan, so I bought him this for Christmas. Cheaper here than anywhere else, and extremely fast shipping! AND my dad was very happy when he opened this gift - a TV special he hasn't seen in decades. :)