John Wayne steps forth to host this anniversary show, which includes as
bright spots, Red Skelton's perennial "old man at a parade" routine and Pat Hingle's impeccable impersonation of Thomas Alva Edison, It's just another musical variety special. Wayne gives a capsulized running history of the past 100 years between musical numbers, vignettes and vintage film clips; while other fine moments are filled by James Stewart as Mark Twain; James Whitmore as Will Rogers; Leslie Uggams' stylish song turn; and Albert Brooks' hilarious routine about holding open auditions to find a new national anthem.
