Big Ship Films, LLC Presents
SS United States: Lady in Waiting
SAVE OUR SHIP: SS United States Conservancy Makes Major Announcement!
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.
“Watch the 3-minute trailer for S.S. United States: Lady in Waiting… and see if you don’t come away thinking about how much of a tragedy it would be for this ship to end up as scrap metal on a beach in Asia.” - Dan Pohlig, WHYY, Philadelphia
July 1, 2010: The SS United States Conservancy today announced a major donation from Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest. This will only secure the ship’s future for 20 months. Your donations and support are needed now more than ever. Please visit the Conservancy’s Plank Owner site and give as generously as you can:
July, 2010: Big Ship Films was on hand during the Conservancy’s National Flagship Celebration shooting new material and interviews to update SS United States: Lady in Waiting. Now that the American Public Television license agreement has ended, we are actively seeking a new broadcast home for the film.
"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
