Made by Guided Tour Productions on behalf of Greyhound Corp., “A Trip to the Sun” (1962?) stars Carole Wise as magazine travel editor Carol West. In the film West embarks on a bus journey through Florida in a Greyhound Scenicruiser, starting with a warm welcome at the Florida Welcome Station. She meets Florida Development Commissioner Wendell Gerard and explores Silver Springs, known for its glass-bottom boats, catfish abundance, and underwater theater. In Tampa, she experiences the industrial hub, modern amenities, and the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. She visits Las Novedades, a cultural center, and St. Petersburg, home to a friendly and youthful community. Carol tours Florida’s citrus industry, Mountain Lake Sanctuary, and Cypress Gardens with its water ski shows. In Miami Beach, she admires luxury hotels and nightlife, and nearby attractions like Parrot Jungle and Serpentarium. Carol witnesses Miami’s Orange Bowl classic and Key West’s historical sites via the Overseas Highway. Daytona Beach offers motorcar testing grounds, while Marine Studios showcases live marine displays and dolphin research. St. Augustine reveals its historical sites, including the Fountain of Youth and Castillo de San Marcos. Carol concludes her trip with relaxation in Jacksonville and recommends Florida as a prime travel destination. The film was shot by Jack McGowan, story by Hal Kierce, narration by Sid Berry.
00:00 – A friendly welcome at the Florida Welcome Station.
0:35 – 0:41 – The state government promotes hospitality.
0:41 – 1:00 – Travel editor Carol West arrives in Florida.
1:00 – 1:06 – Carol meets Florida Development Commissioner Wendell Gerard.
1:06 – 1:18 – Silver Springs: exploring glass-bottom boats.
1:18 – 1:30 – Catfish abundance in Silver Springs.
1:30 – 1:43 – The underwater theater at Silver Springs.
1:43 – 2:06 – Tampa’s industrial hub and modern amenities.
2:06 – 2:14 – Annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa.
2:14 – 2:27 – Tampa’s Las Novedades, a cultural center.
2:27 – 2:45 – St. Petersburg’s friendly and youthful community.
2:45 – 2:59 – Citrus industry and Mountain Lake Sanctuary.
2:59 – 3:31 – Cypress Gardens and water ski shows.
3:31 – 4:04 – Miami Beach’s luxury hotels and nightlife.
4:04 – 4:27 – Attractions near Miami: Parrot Jungle and Serpentarium.
4:27 – 5:04 – Miami’s Orange Bowl classic and sports attractions.
5:04 – 6:53 – Key West’s Overseas Highway, Martello Towers, and historical significance.
6:53 – 7:43 – Daytona Beach’s motorcar testing grounds.
7:43 – 8:31 – Marine Studios’ live marine displays and dolphin research.
8:31 – 9:27 – St. Augustine’s historical sites, Fountain of Youth, and Castillo de San Marcos.
9:27 – 10:09 – Jacksonville’s modern cityscape and rooftop pool relaxation. The Robert Meyer Hotel shown opened its doors in downtown Jacksonville in 1959 and was imploded in 1998 to make way for the new federal courthouse.
10:09 – End – Carol’s recommendation of Florida as a travel destination.
The GMC PD-4501 Scenicruiser, manufactured by General Motors (GM) for Greyhound Lines, Inc., was a three-axle monocoque two-level coach that Greyhound used from July 1954 into the mid-1970s. 1001 were made between 1954 and 1956.
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