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“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, NPR affiliate in Philadelphia

“This praiseworthy history of one of the most important ships in U.S. history is very highly recommended for marine and history collections.” - Tom Budlong, Library Journal

“This is an excellent film about one of the greatest liners ever. I would highly recommend it to our readers.” - Nigel Lawrence, Shipping Today & Yesterday

“A wonderful tribute, and long overdue.” – D.F. Jones, customer review

“I found this to be one of the most interesting and detailed insights into this famous and sadly forgotten great ocean liner.” – Keith S. Rennison, customer review

“Lovingly crafted…” – Dwain Thomas, School Library Journal

“The people you will hear and see speaking of their love of the SSUS love the old ‘lady in waiting’ (now biding its time in Philadelphia where it has become part of the scenery), and that love shines through every frame of this stirring documentary. At times you have to pinch yourself and say, ‘And this isn't a made-up story, dramatic and inspirational as it is. By golly, this is real!’ New material supplements well-chosen clips so the feeling throughout is a delicate balance between past and present--the two worlds collide in an eerie, romantic way. All right, the ship is 700 thousand tons of steel but it comes alive as a living, breathing presence, both in mothballs and in period footage of her glory days. The whole doc goes by in what seems like minutes. I can't wait to see what happens with the preservation campaign, more power to the conservancy. Let it shine as it did for my late father, whose dream it always was to sail away on it. Sadly, by the time he could raise enough money to take himself and my mom to Europe, the ship he loved had been decommissioned! Everyone who has ever had a dream should be able to identify with the warm hearts and high hopes of the makers of SS United States: Lady in Waiting.” – Kevin Killian, customer review

“This is an enormously entertaining – and educational – film about one of the greatest ships ever built. Merchant Mariners and Naval veterans alike will be intrigued by the facts, dialogue and personal insights from a myriad of prominent and not-so-well-known persons interviewed in the making of the production.” - The Maritime Executive Magazine

”From 1952 to 1969, premier cruise ship SS United States set transatlantic speed records and provided elegant accommodations for wealthy passengers. After jet travel made transatlantic crossing too costly and slow, the ocean liner was decommissioned, stripped of its finery, and abandoned in a Philadelphia port. In this fond tribute, former passengers (including journalist Walter Cronkite and artist LeRoy Neiman), employees, ship enthusiasts, and others recall the heyday of ocean travel. Footage of well-dressed celebrities and others sipping cocktails, lounging on deck chairs, and dancing to live bands intercuts with pans of the ship’s peeling hull, deserted staterooms, and ghostly engine rooms. Historians recount the origins of the vessel (designed during the cold war to transport troops, if needed, under the guise of a luxurious passenger ship), and conservationists talk of plans to preserve and resurrect her glory. Fascinating for ship and history buffs and anyone who enjoys glimpsing the glamorous past.” — Candace Smith, Booklist, January, 2009

”Although it looks like a derelict 12-story-high hulk tied to a dock near Camden, DE, the SS United States was the pride of the nation and envy of the world during the 1950s after the vessel set the transatlantic speed record for ocean liners (even faster than the Queen Mary), a distinction it still holds for its class today. Over its nearly two decades of service, the ship boasted a perfect safety record (with a five-compartment hull that is still in near-perfect condition). The SS United States was also set up for secret Cold War duty; although designed to carry 1,500 paying passengers, the ship could be quickly retrofitted to hold as many as 50,000 troops. Director Robert Radler’s engaging documentary features interviews with celebrity passengers (including Walter Cronkite), naval historians, and enthusiasts, who recall the rich history of the SS United States, while also discussing current efforts to save it. Although the advent of commercial transatlantic jets precipitated the ship’s early retirement, its current owner—Norwegian Cruise Lines—is considering refurbishing the ship and returning it to commercial duty as an ocean cruiser. Beautifully shot in high-def and boasting a 5.1 surround audio mix, DVD extras include expanded interviews, celebrity anecdotes, rare footage of the maiden voyage, and a photo gallery. Highly recommended.” – C. Block, Video Librarian, January/February 2009 (Volume 24, Issue 1)

What Viewers Are Saying About Lady in Waiting