The Unsinkable Delta Queen

Originally a one-hour television special, this interesting piece of Americana details the life and hard times of the river steamboat Delta Queen. Constructed in 1926, the Delta Queen was transported from San Francisco to the waters of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, where her elegant accommodations and sprightly calliope music entertained passengers for many years. In 1966, with the passing of the "Safety at Sea" law, the wooden boat faced mothballs, until a feisty group of supporters, led by the late publicist Betty Blane, launched an intensive "Save the Queen" campaign which finally succeeded in keeping the moving historical landmark on the river. Interesting anecdotes (like the story of the first woman pilot Ma Greene and her ever present ghost) and a courageous central story make The Unsinkable Delta Queen an entertaining experience for general viewers as well as hobbyists. Recommended. (Available from: Sentimental Productions, 616 Delhi Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45204.)