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April 1991

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Subject:
From:
Raymond Soto <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 5 Apr 91 17:21:00 PST
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As a result of the recent Operation Desert Storm, and the tying of yellow
ribbons to everything stationary, several people around the country went
to their local libraries trying to rediscover the name of a television
program they had remembered seeing which seemed based on the song,
"Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree"--made popular by Tony
Orlando and Dawn in 1973.  Here is what they THINK they remember:
 
It was probably a TV movie-of-the-week, but may have been part of an
anthology series.  It opens with the narrator of the story, a Black
man returning from prison, on a Greyhound Bus, traveling home again.
He tells a young couple his story, which includes his having written
a letter home to his sweetheart wondering if he would still be welcome.
If her answer is affirmative, she should tie a yellow ribbon to the
tree he would see on entering town.  If there is no ribbon, he will
just stay on the bus and continue on to another life.  As he concludes
his story, the bus is arriving into town.  The narrator is afraid to
look at the tree and asks to couple to look for him.  When he finally
looks at the tree,it not only has a yellow ribbon, but is abloom with
yellow handerchieves.
 
 
Several people remember that James Earl Jones was the narrator.  This is
not listed among his credits, and his publicist says nope it wasn't him.
 
It was broadcast in the early 1970's, maybe 1974 in one questioner's
recollection.
 
 
I have done some pretty exhaustive searching, short of reading TV Guide,
day-by-day, for the 70's, which I'm not willing to do.
 
Do any of you remember having seen this movie, so something like it?
Can you supply any other hints that might lead me to its title, such as
actors or directors, or series name?
 
I have queries in San Franciso, Kansas, and Georgia waiting for an answer.
 
Raymond Soto
UCLA Theater Arts Library

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