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"Bluegrass" is an educational 'travelogue', a promotional film that was commissioned, collaborated and produced with the cooperative consent of the Kentucky Colonel and the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the 1960's. It was found by one of our colonels and submitted as great content for our website, the film is available for download at the Internet Archive and and can be used commercially as stock footage by contacting Periscope Films.
It begins with an introduction by Col. Jack Douglas who states that this will be an Armchair Vacation.
He says, BLUEGRASS, a word synonymous with the state of Kentucky, is shown as the title. Lush meadows, thoroughbred horses, Kentucky colonels. The capital city of Frankfort, Kentucky featuring many city images is shown including the dome of the capitol building which was patterned after the tomb of Napoleon, a giant floral clock, the cemetery, the tomb of Daniel Boone and his wife, the Old State House which is currently home to the Kentucky Historical Society. The society's director, Col George Chinn speaks on Daniel Boone and his significance, shows Boone's knife, powder horn, and his famous rifle, the statue of Boone is shown as well.
The famous Frankfort Pike is shown that runs from Frankfort to Lexington, a thickly shaded road, a blonde woman exits a car and stands near a fence on the Pike. Thoroughbred footage featuring grazing, running, and the various farms which they inhabit. Spendthrift Farm is featured, the owner Col. Lesley Combs II speaks about his horse Nashua, assisted by his farmhand Clem.
Bondman Clem talks about how great the horse is, records broken, and money won. More grazing footage of thoroughbreds is shown. The final resting place for the great horse Man O War, dialogue explains why this horse was so revered. Churchill Downs during The Kentucky Derby or 'Derby Day' as its called, the importance of the race, and the headgear worn by the women attendees, and Lucky Debonair winning the 1965 Derby Spendthrift Farm showcases its post-Derby party, party footage, stylish outfits. Kentucky sky footage at dusk.
The Brown Hotel which features The Jug Band. Watch as the Jug Band plays a song. Levi Jackson State Park featuring cabins, McHargue's Mill, Pioneer Memorial State Park, people wander the park. The park is a reconstruction of a huge settlement fort. Tourists look around its grounds. Lincoln Marriage Temple, a building that shelters a cabin where Abraham Lincoln's parents were born is on the grounds. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace near Hodgenville, KY is the state's number tourist attraction. Lincoln Knob Creek Farm, his boyhood home.
Colonel Sanders, the creator of Kentucky Fried Chicken, is profiled and shows how to make and drink a Mint Julep. Kentucky Lake State Park featuring boats on the lake. Lake Cumberland, one of the world's largest manmade lakes, has boats at play. Cumberland Falls State Park, home to the 'Niagara of the South,' largest waterfall east of the Rockies other than Niagara Falls, majestic views of the falls. Legendary Cumberland Gap, a historical spot that was important to western expansion. A visit to the visitors center which shows paintings of frontier troubles.
Bardstown, Kentucky, home to the oldest hotel, Talbott Tavern, west of the Allegheny Mountains. St Joseph's Cathedral, the first Catholic Cathedral west of the Allegheny Mountains and My Old Kentucky Home, now a state park, previously owned by John Rowan (and then his relatives) before being sold to the state and immortalized by the Stephen Foster song. Actors discuss the home and the play that showcases Foster's life. They then sing 'Camptown Races.' A horse bangs his hoof to the ground enjoying the song. One of the actors plays a piano that is over 100 years old while discussing the history of My Old Kentucky Home. Closeups of the piano (made out of rosewood), the keys. The actors sing 'My Old Kentucky Home'.
Paducah, Kentucky, named after a Native American Chief. Audubon, Kentucky shows how French immigrant John James Audubon began his work, Fort Knox, the grounds, its warning signs. Mammoth Cave National Park, tourists visit, inside of the cave. A recap of some of the natural wonders of the state. Col. Jack Douglas, says thanks you for watching, later (not in the video) he thanked the Governor as well for making him a Kentucky Colonel.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k.
Materials found on the Internet Archive are part of a collection of media (books, magazines, newspapers, movies, sound recordings) files can be found in other locations such as the Library of Congress. The information listed on or from the locations forms part of a non-exhaustive list of resources that have yet to be discovered about the Authentic, Genuine, Original, Official and Real Kentucky Colonel.