Once Upon a Wheel is a 1971 ABC

American Broadcasting Company

The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...

 television documentary on the history of auto racing. It was hosted by Paul Newman

Paul Newman

Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...

 and was directed and produced by David Winters

David Winters (choreographer)

David Winters is an English-born American dancer, choreographer, producer, director, screenwriter, and actor. Winters has participated in, directed and produced over 400 television series, specials, and motion pictures...

.

A racing enthusiast, Newman narrated this hour long documentary on the history of auto racing. Joining Newman was Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti

Mario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR...

, Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas is an American stage and film actor, film producer and author. His popular films include Out of the Past , Champion , Ace in the Hole , The Bad and the Beautiful , Lust for Life , Paths of Glory , Gunfight at the O.K...

, Hugh Downs

Hugh Downs

Hugh Malcolm Downs is a long time American broadcaster, television host, news anchor, TV producer, author, game show host, and music composer; and is perhaps best known for his role as co-host the NBC News program Today from 1962 to 1971, host of the Concentration game show from 1958 to 1969, and...

, Dean Martin

Dean Martin

Dean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...

, Cesar Romero

Cesar Romero

Cesar Julio Romero, Jr. was an American film and television actor who was active in film, radio, and television for almost sixty years...

, Dick Smothers

Dick Smothers

Richard Remick "Dick" Smothers is an American actor, comedian, composer and musician. He is best known for being half of the musical comedy team, the Smothers Brothers, with his older brother Tom.-Life and career:...

 and many others.
TV Guide

TV Guide

TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...

 featured an article on the program as well as Newman on the cover in the April 17, 1971 issue. The film was released to home video by Monterey Media.

Sponsors

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...

 bottlers sponsored the show, and Mr. Newman appeared in magazine ads (wearing a Coke racing jacket). Viewers could order special collectibles related to the show: 8-track cartridges or cassette tapes of music from the show, a Coca-Cola jacket similar to Newman’s, and racing jacket style patches.

International

The show was released theatrically in Europe, with additional footage. The Italian title was "I Giganti del Brivido", and "Vertigo Sobre Ruedas" in Spanish. The director, David Winters has stated it was Paul Newman's impression of the finished product that encouraged the extended version.

Reviews

"Spectacular...Paul Newman and celebs performed for director David Winters with joie de la cause, abetted by extraordinary editing.... A poetic study of man and machines...Incredible effect...Most exciting."
-Hollywood Reporter
"Most Exciting show ever ... A Special TV Special"
-TV Guide
(see )

Further reading

• Ormstein, Bill, " Winters-Rosen Triple Budgets", Hollywood Reporter,17, Nov, 1970: p1

External links

• Home video listing on commercial website
• Overview on New York Times Website