Discoveries…America: Illinois

The latest entry in Jim and Kelly Watt's acclaimed, high-definition filmed Discoveries…America series--a collection of unique travelogue films that highlight off-the-beaten-tourist-trap-path attractions--Illinois actually opens with the tried and true: a look at Chicago, the "most American of American cities," home to slightly nutty baseball fanatics, Frank Lloyd Wright's studio, and the beginning of Route 66. But then we're off to less familiar territory: Metropolis, which wraps itself in the Superman mystique; Cozy Dog, where hot dogs on a stick were born; and the backyard of artist Bob Cumpston, who loves to make metal figures of wildly imaginative animals. A well-crafted and highly entertaining profile that is sure to be popular, this is definitely recommended. [Note: Discoveries…America: Iowa and Michigan are also newly available.] Aud: P. (J. Carlson)