User Reviews

I really liked this special. It is about unusual buildings and other sorts of unusual roadside stuff. I guess you can tell that is what its about from the very long title. I had a few favorites in this. I liked the giant ketchup bottle water tower, the nice little round pharmacy, the house that is shaped like a goose, the orange store and the motel where the rooms are shaped like tepees. I like shows where they go to different places and look at the history of stuff or show interesting landmarks that aren't very popular. They should have made this a TV series on PBS. I was a great special though. They should at least make a second. Very enjoyable.

The documentaries Rick Sebak makes for PBS are unusual in that they really are NOT deadly serious or even necessary...at least in a traditional sense. His films celebrate the odd and seemingly mundane things about American life--such as the history of hot dogs, old amusement parks, farmers' markets and the beach. But, here is the secret, this is ALL part of American history and you learn while you think you are just being entertained.

Of all Sebak's films, this is my favorite. That's because I adore tacky and silly architecture businesses have used to attract tourists. Not surprisingly, my favorite book is "Roadside America" and this film is in the same fun spirit. Like the rest of his films, his crew visits all the goofy places and just lets people talk. All this is strung together by Sebak's gentle narration and slow pace. Fun and entertaining throughout--see this great film.

My only complaint? Well, there are LOTS of other goofy places across America--so why not make a sequel?!