''The Backbone of America'' is a 1953 American TV movie written by
Robert E. Sherwood
Robert Emmet Sherwood (April 4, 1896 – November 14, 1955) was an American playwright and screenwriter.
He is the author of ''Waterloo Bridge, Idiot's Delight, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Rebecca, There Shall Be No Night, The Best Years of Our L ...
and directed by
Marc Daniels
Marc Daniels (January 27, 1912 – April 23, 1989), born Danny Marcus, was an American television director. He directed on programs such as I Love Lucy, Gunsmoke, Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, Hogan's Heroes, and more.
Life and career
Da ...
.
Plot
An account executive tries to find the perfect American family to use in a forthcoming advertising campaign.
Cast
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Wendell Corey as Ben Bruce
*
Yvonne De Carlo
Margaret Yvonne Middleton (September 1, 1922January 8, 2007), known professionally as Yvonne De Carlo, was a Canadian-American actress, dancer and singer. She became a Hollywood film star in the 1940s and 1950s, made several recordings, and late ...
as Victoria Johnson
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Gene Lockhart as Uncle Cedric
*
Thomas Mitchell as Fred Tupple
*
Sammy Ogg
Ernest Samuel 'Sammy' Ogg (1906–1969) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s. He played in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for University, whom he also captained.
Background
Ogg was born at C ...
as Wallie
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Lee Patrick as Ethel
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Gloria Talbott as Janet
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Regis Toomey as Bill Carmody
Production
It was the first play Sherwood wrote for television. He did it under a contract with NBC to write nine original plays over three years.
The production was recorded in Hollywood. The cast had two weeks of rehearsals. De Carlo said she was "panicked" to do the show but it ended up well. Alec Guinness had a contract with Alex Korda to make one film a year and he agreed to star.
Reception
The ''New York Times'' said the play was "completely disappointing".
References
External links
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''The Backbone of America''at BFI
1953 television films
1953 films
American television films
Plays by Robert E. Sherwood
Films directed by Marc Daniels
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