"She was the greatest American ocean liner of all time, a maritime icon, a glittering queen of 20th century sailing.  She was a marine masterpiece, the last  mighty trans-ocean speed champion.  The brilliant SS UNITED STATES sailed for only seventeen years, from 1952 until 1969, but has been idle ever since.  Her story is indeed diverse, varied, dramatic.    But she sails again --- in glorious triumph and colorful recollection --- in SS UNITED STATES: LADY IN WAITING.  Unquestionably, it is a grand tribute and one of the finest documentaries of its kind ever made.   Happily, those great whistles are 'sounding' once again!"    - Bill Miller, Maritime Historian

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Designed to be a secret weapon in the cold war disguised as a luxurious passenger liner, the SS United States was the pride of America during her flawless service career from 1952 to 1969.  The brainchild of United States Lines president, John M. Franklin, and the 20th Century’s preeminent naval architect, William Francis Gibbs, the completely fire-proof ship was the largest passenger vessel ever constructed in her namesake’s country, and remains the record-holding speed champion of the North Atlantic to this day.  Combining never before seen archival footage and interviews with notable former passengers and crew such as Walter Cronkite, LeRoy Neiman, and maritime historian William H. Miller, Jr.,  SS United States: Lady in Waiting tells the story of this fabled vessel from her design and construction to her star-studded glamorous heyday and her gradual decline into neglect and obscurity.  Today, this once proud flagship sits forlorn at a pier in Philadelphia, awaiting a triumphant return to her rightful place in American history.

Full-Length Trailer

Promotional Trailer