- Once Upon a Wheel
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Once Upon a Wheel 
Once upon a wheelGenre Documentary Directed by David Winters Produced by David Winters, Burt Rosen Starring Paul Newman (host), Mario Andretti, Hugh Downs, Dean Martin, Cesar Romero Country 
United StatesLanguage English Original channel ABC Release date April 18, 1971 Running time 60 min Once Upon a Wheel is a 1971 ABC television documentary on the history of auto racing. It was hosted by Paul Newman and was directed and produced by David Winters.
A racing enthusiast, Newman narrated this hour long documentary on the history of auto racing. Joining Newman was Mario Andretti, Kirk Douglas, Hugh Downs, Dean Martin, Cesar Romero, Dick Smothers and many others.
Winters and Newman on set
TV Guide featured an article on the program as well as Newman on the cover in the April 17, 1971 issue. The film was released to home video by Monterey Media[1].
Contents
Sponsors
Coca-Cola bottlers sponsored the show, and Mr. Newman appeared in magazine ads (wearing a Coke racing jacket). Viewers could order special collectibles related to the show: 8-track cartridges or cassette tapes of music from the show, a Coca-Cola jacket similar to Newman’s, and racing jacket style patches.[2]
International
The show was released theatrically in Europe, with additional footage. The Italian title was "I Giganti del Brivido", and "Vertigo Sobre Ruedas" in Spanish. The director, David Winters has stated it was Paul Newman's impression of the finished product that encouraged the extended version.[3]
Reviews
"Spectacular...Paul Newman and celebs performed for director David Winters with joie de la cause, abetted by extraordinary editing.... A poetic study of man and machines...Incredible effect...Most exciting." -Hollywood Reporter
"Dazzlingly brilliant...Exciting…Moving"— Don Freeman, San Diego Union"Most Exciting show ever ... A Special TV Special" -TV Guide
"The Woodstock of racing...it is very touching...it is entertaining....it has a balletic sense of it......Incredible...."— Donna Pickrell, Houston PostFurther reading
- Ormstein, Bill, " Winters-Rosen Triple Budgets", Hollywood Reporter,17, Nov, 1970: p1
References
- ^ a b "Once Upon A Wheel". -Hollywood Reporter, - TV Guide, -San Diego Union,-Houston Post. montery media inc. http://www.montereymedia.com/sports/once_upon_a_wheel.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
- ^ The Coca-Cola Company. "Coca Cola Conversations". We’ll miss Mr. Newman’s love of racing, and of course his great acting and his philanthropy.. http://www.coca-colaconversations.com/my_weblog/2008/09/paul-newman.html.
- ^ "David Winters Website". http://www.davidwinters.net.
- ^ "Once Upon A Wheel". Scrapbook of reviews of program. DavidWinters.net. http://www.davidwinters.net/onceuponawheel.htm. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
External links
- Once Upon a Wheel. ISBN 1-56994-647-7.
- Home video listing on commercial website ASIN B0002IQNHE
- Overview on New York Times Website
- Once Upon a Wheel at the Internet Movie Database
Selected works by David Winters Broadway Gypsy: A Musical Fable (1959) • West Side Story (1957) •Films The King Maker (2005) • Welcome 2 Ibiza (2002) • Raw Nerve (1991) • Future Zone (1990) • Space Mutiny (1988) • Thrashin' (1986) •The Last Horror Film (1982) • Alice Cooper: Welcome to My Nightmare (1975) • Linda Lovelace for President (1975) • West Side Story (1961) Rock, Rock, Rock (1956)Television Blackbeard (2006) •Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1973) •Once Upon a Wheel (1971) • Raquel! (1970) •Movin' With Nancy (1967) • Hullabaloo (1965) • Shindig! (1964) • Perry Mason (1963) • 77 Sunset Strip (1961) • United States Steel Hour (1954) •Categories:- English-language films
- Motorsport in the United States
- American television specials
- Documentary television films
- Coca-Cola
- Documentary films about auto racing
- American documentary films
- 1971 films
- 1971 television specials
- 1971 in American television
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