Once Upon a Wheel

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.[1]

Once Upon a Wheel
Once Upon a Wheel
Directed byDavid Winters
StarringPaul Newman (host), Mario Andretti, Hugh Downs, Dean Martin, Cesar Romero
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersDavid Winters, Burt Rosen
Running time60 min
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseApril 18, 1971

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.[2]

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.[3]

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 (featuring a previously unreleased title song, written for the film by The Association, amongst the 13 featured tracks), a cooler which held Cokes and ice, a Coca-Cola jacket similar to Newman's, and racing jacket style patches.[4]

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.[5]

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 Post

(see [3][6])

Further reading

See also

References
  1. Ingle, Zachary; Sutera, David M. (2013). Identity and Myth in Sports Documentaries: Critical Essays. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-0-8108-8789-3.
  2. Shull, Richard K. (April 17, 1971). "Teaches Stars to Drive". The Ithaca Journal: 45 – via Newspapers.
  3. "Once Upon A Wheel". -Hollywood Reporter, - TV Guide, -San Diego Union,-Houston Post. montery media inc. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  4. 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.
  5. "David Winters Website".
  6. "Once Upon A Wheel". Scrapbook of reviews of program. DavidWinters.net. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
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