JACQUES COUSTEAU: THE FIRST 75 YEARS (TV)
Summary
This special tribute to the life and achievements of oceanographer Jacques Cousteau celebrates his 75th birthday with a party held at Mount Vernon in Washington, D.C., an in-depth retrospective that makes use of Cousteau's own extensive body of films, and brief appearances by celebrity hosts. As the Calypso sails to Mount Vernon, narrator Jose Ferrer recounts Cousteau's early interest in film, his military career, and the accident that ultimately lead him to explore the seas. Interspersed throughout is information about the histories of underwater diving equipment, underwater photography, and underwater archaeology, three areas pioneered by Cousteau. Other topics covered include Cousteau's contribution to the discovery of oil in the Persian Gulf; the unique camaraderie among the crew of the Calypso; the history of the ship itself; the daring underwater living experiments carried out by the crew; the countless television programs, films, and books generated by these activities; and Cousteau's role as an environmental activist. The program concludes at the party given in Cousteau's honor, where Cousteau Society member and master of ceremonies John Denver performs a few songs written about the oceanographer ("What One Man Can Do" and Denver's hit song "Aye Calypso"), and Cousteau's son Jean Michel offers some poetic thoughts about his father. Cousteau then promises to devote his energies to lobbying for a mandatory foreign exchange program for students from around the world in the hopes of fostering global understanding. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: TBS
- DATE: June 23, 1985 8:05 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:49:29
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:05660
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries; Biography; Marine biology; Scientists
- SERIES RUN: TBS - TV, 1985
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jean-Michel Cousteau … Executive Producer
- Mose Richards … Executive Producer, Writer
- Martin Killeen … Senior Producer
- John Soh … Producer
- Hedwige Bienvenu … Associate Producer
- Becky Butler … Associate Unit Producer
- Bill Sweney … Event Producer
- Cynthia Lunsford … Event Producer
- Ira Miskin … Event Executive Producer
- John Scott … Music by
- Jack Lemmon … Host
- Stefanie Powers … Host
- Loretta Swit … Host
- Ben Vereen … Host
- Jose Ferrer … Narrator
- John Denver … Guest
- Jacques Cousteau