Season 1 • Episode 1
LatestOnce Upon a Wheel is a 1971 ABC television documentary on the history of auto racing. It was hosted by Paul Newman and was directed and produced by David Winters. A racing enthusiast, Newman narrated this hour long documentary on the history of auto racing. Joining Newman was Mario Andretti, Kirk Douglas, Hugh Downs, Dean Martin, Cesar Romero, Dick Smothers and many others. TV Guide featured an article on the program as well as Newman on the cover in the April 17, 1971 issue. The film was released to home video by Monterey Media.
Acting
Newman's genuine racing obsession radiates through every frame.
Production
1971 network TV documentary budget: chaotic, charming, barely holding together.
Practical Effects
Real crashes, real drivers, zero CGI cowardice.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Newman was so obsessed with racing he started his own team, Newman/Haas Racing, two years after this aired.
This aired during ABC's 'Movie of the Week' era, when networks threw Hollywood icons at random topics and hoped for magic.
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