Video Parts (3)
This clip is Part 1 of a 3-part film.
ROAD TO HAPPINESS [1-5],THE [GOOD ROADS PROMOTION] Part 1
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: [part 1] “The Preston farm.” Farmhouse, barn, out buildings, cattle grazing. “Four a.m. and Robert Preston is already half an hour late.” Bob seated at table in work clothes, hurriedly eating - kitchen scene with wood-burning stove - mother says to Bob… “‘Be careful of the eggs, Bob, I’m saving for a new dress.’” Kitchen scene, man standing beside horse-drawn wagon outside barn - kitchen scene - Bob goes out on porch, pumps and drinks a cup of water, carries basket of eggs. “‘You’ve got to hustle to get this stuff down to the train by five o’clock.’” “‘You’re on the County Commission. If you would vote some decent roads in these parts we wouldn’t have any trouble getting our stuff to the station.’” Bob talks with his father, gets into wagon and drives off - gets out of wagon to open gate. “That morning at the breakfast table.” “‘Pa, I don’t see why you don’t listen to Bob about the roads. Seems to me he knows right smart about ’em.’” Horse-drawn coach gets mired in deeply rutted road - Bob comes along from opposite direction, gets out of wagon, talks with man. “‘But, Doctor, I must get this milk to the station. I’m late for the train now.’” “‘Is a human life worth less than a few cans of milk?’” Bob’s wagon gets mired in mud, he loses several boxes and baskets on bumpy road, eggs are smashed - he picks up what remains intact, reloads wagon as train approaches - wagon loses wheel, he calls to two men who help him replace wheel, but train has passed the station - Bob turns wagon around, drives into barnyard. “‘It was those old roads again, Dad…’” “‘Those roads were there before you were born. You’re lazy, that’s what’s the matter with you. Get off to school and not another word out of you.’” Bob leaves house in school clothes. “The little school house.” View of rural one-room school house - children in school yard - school room interior - school bell in steeple ringing - children trudging along muddy road, scrape mud from shoes before entering school building - children take seats in classroom - teacher posts notice on blackboard, ‘Four Years at College for Best Essay on Good Roads and Highway Transport’ - close-up of ‘H.S. Firestone University Scholarship. National Essay Contest Conducted by Highway Education Board…Washington, D.C.’ “‘Here is a splendid opportunity for the older boys and girls. The winner of this contest will get a college education free. Robert, you ought to be interested in this.’” Views of the teacher, students in class-room - Bob rises to speak. “‘How are we going to write an essay on that subject when we haven’t a single good road in our community?’” “Part Two will follow immediately.” “That evening, after supper, Robert began his ‘Good Roads’ essay.” Bob, his mother and father seated at table - mother sews, father reads newspaper, Robert writes, by light of kerosene lamp. “‘Dad, help me a little with this essay, will you?’” [1924]
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