Here’s the third and final part of our presentation of the great 1953 Ford historical film, The American Road. 

You can view Part One of The American Road here.

You can view Part Two here.

Those of you who have already viewed ahead in the three-part series have discovered, at around the nine-minute mark in this final segment, what one MCG reader called the “Wizard of Oz” moment. We’re driving through a tunnel and then suddenly, the black-and-white world is transformed into living color, and now we’re in America circa 1971.  It’s a bit startling, but all part of the historical fun.

This point is a little unclear, but apparently the film was distributed three times: the original release in 1953, in 1964, and finally again in 1971 with the color ending added. The impulse to update the story is understandable. When the original 1953 version was produced, the Interstate highway system did not even exist. The color segment brings Ford’s history of transportation into the freeway age.

Once again, thanks to Ford Motor Company for the film—and for its major part in putting America on wheels.

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