When I was just about two years old, my Dad and Mom decided that they wanted to take the jump and move to the United States. In 1964 there were many ways to travel but to move an entire family, across the ocean, usually required an Ocean Liner for the steamer trunks and other knick knacks. My parents had thought about coming over on the Queen Mary and Elizabeth 2 but elected the S.S. United States due to the speed for the crossing and the name, since they were making a new start in the United States.
I hadn't grown an interest in "The Big U" until my parents had taken a trip to Virgina and snapped some photos of the Ocean Liner as it sat, paint peeling and cuffed to the docks at the Newport New shipyards in the 90's. The Ominous liner looked as though it wanted to break away from the moorings and traverse the ocean again, it's design always relayed a look of movement while standing still. My interest grew as I read about its history and about Gibbs brilliant design that brought the ship its record, which still holds true, as the World Fastest Ocean Liner. I read about the sister ship, The S.S. America, which was seen as the liner in the famous "I Love Lucy" episode where Lucy has to take a helicopter to the ship, with sadness I have seen the pictures of how the S.S. America broke apart off the Canary Islands and has pretty much to date disappeared below the waterline. I have purchased books and photos of the S.S. United States and even have had the opportunity to talk with former owner Richard Hadley who purchased the liner back in 1978 with a idea to turn the ship into a floating condo. I also interviewed Fred Meyer who purchased the ship at Auction after it was sold to satify creditors from Mr. Hadley. Hadley passed away in 2002. Hadley was responsible for pretty much selling everything off the ship including linens, beds, tables and chairs and even ashtrays. It was one of the largest auctions ever and many of those that cruised on the ship purchased something of memory. When Fred Meyer purchased the ship, he had emigrated on her in his younger days, he had it towed to Istanbul for removal of the Asbestos which pretty much gutted the interior. Fred's Partner Ed Cantor puchased controlling interest in the line and unfortunalty passed away in 2002. His son Michael took over the interest in the liner and found a buyer in Norweigen Cruise Lines. Fred Meyer passed away in 2004. The company plans to return the ship to service however it is an expensive process and one that even NCL is promising.
Robert Radler has taken much of the history of the S.S. United States and presented it in a film called S.S. United States - Lady in Waiting. The project, Co-Produced by Ocean Liner afficianado Mark Perry, features rare film, photos from collections, interviews with former employees of the United States Lines and NCL president Colin Veitch as well as a look inside the S.S. United States today. We had a chance to talk with Robert about this project which will begin airing on PBS channels in May 2008 and putting it all together.
We spoke with Robert on his using Final Cut from Apple and how he took a big gamble and upgraded to Final Cut Six in the middle of editing. We also get some insight on putting together a project such as this and why the Apple NLE was the perfect solution for the filmmaker. We'll also find out about the new wave in HD Video and how the P2 camera was a great way to save on the budget for the filmmaker.
I have had the opportunity to see this film and would recommend it to everybody looking for a piece of history that shouldn't be allowed to just disappear. From the first few seconds to the final musical piece from Jeff Skunk Baxter of the Doobie Bros, it should not be missed.
Be sure to check your local PBS times for airing and purchase the DVD at the Big Ship Films Website.
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I hadn't grown an interest in "The Big U" until my parents had taken a trip to Virgina and snapped some photos of the Ocean Liner as it sat, paint peeling and cuffed to the docks at the Newport New shipyards in the 90's. The Ominous liner looked as though it wanted to break away from the moorings and traverse the ocean again, it's design always relayed a look of movement while standing still. My interest grew as I read about its history and about Gibbs brilliant design that brought the ship its record, which still holds true, as the World Fastest Ocean Liner. I read about the sister ship, The S.S. America, which was seen as the liner in the famous "I Love Lucy" episode where Lucy has to take a helicopter to the ship, with sadness I have seen the pictures of how the S.S. America broke apart off the Canary Islands and has pretty much to date disappeared below the waterline. I have purchased books and photos of the S.S. United
States and even have had the opportunity to talk with former owner Richard Hadley who purchased the liner back in 1978 with a idea to turn the ship into a floating condo. I also interviewed Fred Meyer who purchased the ship at Auction after it was sold to satify creditors from Mr. Hadley. Hadley passed away in 2002. Hadley was responsible for pretty much selling everything off the ship including linens, beds, tables and chairs and even ashtrays. It was one of the largest auctions ever and many of those that cruised on the ship purchased something of memory. When Fred Meyer purchased the ship, he had emigrated on her in his younger days, he had it towed to Istanbul for removal of the Asbestos which pretty much gutted the interior. Fred's Partner Ed Cantor puchased controlling interest in the line and unfortunalty passed away in 2002. His son Michael took over the interest in the liner and found a buyer in Norweigen Cruise Lines. Fred Meyer passed away in 2004. The company plans to return the ship to service however it is an expensive process and one that even NCL is promising. 
We spoke with Robert on his using Final Cut from Apple and how he took a big gamble and upgraded to Final Cut Six in the middle of editing. We also get some insight on putting together a project such as this and why the Apple NLE was the perfect solution for the filmmaker. We'll also find out about the new wave in HD Video and how the P2 camera was a great way to save on the budget for the filmmaker. 