User Reviews

This was a great little documentary series on HBO in the early 80s and it's part of what made the new frontier of cable television so wonderful. I think this might have been one of HBO's first original programs. This was History Channel long before the History Channel. Each episode was dedicated to a person, time, place or event in (mostly) the 20th Century. From the Titanic to the Hindenburg, from Babe Ruth to Broadway Joe this series wove with depth, intelligence and wit the tapestry of history that made us (collectively) who we are. It wasn't simply a matter of telling a story, but placing it context and showing how history's effects create the present. Dick Cavette was the narrator and his particular style of nonchalant intelligence engaged the viewer, never speaking down to the viewer or over their head. He was the perfect host for this entertaining, educational and very much missed program. It would be wonderful for this to find its way to DVD.

I fondly remember this show, Dick Cavet did a great job hosting, with his signature monotone voice. "Wheels, Wings, and Whistles" is the episode I remember most. For years I had it on VHS, sadly the tape wore out. HBO can feel free to delete some of the bad shows they air, and replace them with their old material. Or offer this on DVD. I found the show to be informative, well planned and an excellent source of historical material. This episode, for which I believe was number 3, covered the history of transportation in the US, from the Ford Model T to the massive Boeing 747, and from the Titanic, to the Space Shuttle Challenger.

Dick Cavett hosted and narrated this series on certain historical topics. His sardonic and erudite presence made this a very enjoyable and educational excursion. Fortunately, I taped some of the episodes. Unfortunately, only the ones on inventors and sexual morals have survived over the years. However, they are the equal or superior of more recent television efforts that have attempted to look at the same topics.It would be nice if the entire series was available for viewing. I have been informed that since this entry is three lines short that I need to blather on - with a warning against blathering. Sadly, the host continues to confuse quantity with quality which is why so many reviews are pointless. There, I made the minimum.