The Backbone of America
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| The Backbone of America | |
|---|---|
 Thomas Mitchell as Fred Tupple | |
| Written by | Robert E. Sherwood |
| Directed by | Marc Daniels |
| Starring | Thomas Mitchell Wendell Corey Yvonne de Carlo |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | December 29, 1953 |
The Backbone of America is a 1953 American TV movie written by Robert E. Sherwood and directed by Marc Daniels.
An account executive tries to find the perfect American family to use in a forthcoming advertising campaign.
Cast
- Wendell Corey as Ben Bruce
- Yvonne De Carlo as Victoria Johnson
- Gene Lockhart as Uncle Cedric
- Thomas Mitchell as Fred Tupple
- Sammy Ogg as Wallie
- Lee Patrick as Ethel
- Gloria Talbott as Janet
- Regis Toomey as Bill Carmody
Production
It was the first play Sherwood wrote for television. He did it under a contract with NBC to write nine original plays over three years.[1][2]
The production was recorded in Hollywood. The cast had two weeks of rehearsals.[3] De Carlo said she was "panicked" to do the show but it ended up well. Alec Guinness had a contract with Alex Korda to make one film a year and he agreed to star.[4]
