Guest
My team made this film for TV back in the 1980s & although I have posted clips before, this is the complete film (requested by subscribers). It was part of a series for Turner Broadcasting called Portraits Of America. The series style fit my style - not to attack people but to honor the best of who they were. Ted Turner told me that Kansas was “boring” before the job began. My team and I found that people fascinating & I am proud of the script written and the narration read by Hal Holbrook. Kansas is unique. It has a history of resilience. Whether it's dealing with tornadoes, surviving the Dust Bowl in the 1930s or enduring economic downturns tied to the farming and oil industries, Kansans have repeatedly shown their ability to adapt and thrive. Kansas is a major agricultural state leading the nation in the production of wheat and other crops. Many Kansans grow up around farming. With the vast plains and beautiful state parks, Kansans enjoy outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. Wichita, Kansas, is known as the “Air Capital of the World“ due to its history of airplane manufacturing. This has created a culture where many Kansans have a strong interest in aviation. Kansas was central to the abolitionist movement before and during the Civil War and it played a crucial role in the women's suffrage and civil rights movements. Kansans are known for their love of sports, particularly college basketball. The University of Kansas has a long-standing successful basketball program. Many Kansans can trace their ancestry back to Germany whose immigrants came to Kansas in large numbers during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some were seeking economic opportunities while others like the Mennonites, were seeking religious freedom. They brought with them farming techniques that helped Kansas become a leading agricultural state. The Irish are another significant group in Kansas. Many Irish immigrants came to the United States during the mid-19th century due to the Great Famine in Ireland. Kansas also has a substantial Hispanic population, primarily of Mexican descent. African Americans have also been a part of Kansas history since before it became a state. The town of Nicodemus, Kansas for instance, was a prominent settlement for African Americans moving west after the Civil War. Today African Americans make up a significant portion of the state's population, particularly in urban areas like Wichita and Kansas City. There were also waves of Scandinavian immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Lindsborg, Kansas is known as “Little Sweden“ because of its Swedish heritage. These are also ethnic Germans who migrated to the Volga River region in Russia at the invitation of Catherine the Great in the 18th century, and then later migrated to Kansas in the late 19th century. They maintained their German language and customs while also incorporating elements of Russian culture. Before European settlement, Kansas was home to numerous Native American tribes including the Kansa (or Kaw), Osage, Pawnee and others. There are four federally recognized tribes in Kansas: the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska. As you may recognize, the narrator of this film is Hal Holbrook, who narrated the entire Portrait of America“ series. Holbrook's narration was an essential part of the series. His rich, resonant voice and distinctive delivery greatly contributed to the overall atmosphere and appeal of the series. Holbrook started performing his famous Mark Twain in 1954 in a one-man show called “Mark Twain Tonight“. He performed that show for over six decades, His portrayal of Twain earned him a Tony award in 1966. While Holbrook is best known for his portrayal of Twain, he also had a long and successful career in film and television. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film “Into the Wild“ (2007). In addition to his acting roles, Holbrook also worked as a narrator for several television programs. Some of these include: “Lincoln“ (1974-1976): A documentary series about the life of President Abraham Lincoln, where Holbrook provided the voice of Lincoln. “The Cultivated Life: Thomas Jefferson and Wine“ (2005): A documentary where Holbrook served as the narrator. “Sandburg's Lincoln“ (1974-1976): A six-part series about Abraham Lincoln based on Carl Sandburg's biography. Holbrook again voiced Lincoln. Holbrook was also the voice of several characters in Ken Burns's documentaries, including “The Civil War“ (1990) and “Prohibition“ (2011). I would like to thank those's sponsors who advertise on my video. They include Colleges in Kansas. Tin Roof Kansas City. Jazz Museum Kansas City. Wichita. Topeka. Overland Park. Roe Park Overland. Relax Inn Kansas. Kansas Vacation. Cabin getaways Kansas.
