Jean Shepherd was my childhood hero. So many nights in the dark, listening to his voice! He worked entirely without scripts - how he did it was sheer genius. Every night, five days a week, the Bahn Frei Polka would start...and he would talk. Then, on Saturday, he'd broadcast live from the Limelight Nightclub in NYC for three hours. And here he is, showing me the highway of my youth. I could have been in one of those cars! I miss you, Shep. I hope you are happy - you deserve it.
Every time I get pissed off I'm stuck on route 22 I'm going to have to remember Jean Shepherd's voice lol. I never knew I was in the presence of such wonders such as route 22, I'm glad this was made, Virginia must have been on some shrooms when he came up with this
I live near Cincinnati, where Route 22 starts. Seeing this historical footage is so beautiful! Sure wish Americans nowadays love this type of Americana like this 24-year-old does! Hearing Jean Shepherd's crisp and clean-cut voice deliciously describe the scenery is music to my ears and the imagery is soothing to my eyes.
When I moved to southern Ohio I took 22 from Cincy to Greenbrook many times to visit relatives in Dunellen. Sure it took it longer but the sights and memories are still in my mind. Like Mack Davis sang, "Stop and Smell the Roses"...along the way!
I rode on that highway plenty of times in my life ! I know every curve from the Holland tunnel in Jersey City to the Texas Weiner II in Greenbrook! Wow, Great memories!
I grew up two blocks from 22, a bit west of most of the businesses mentioned by others. 22 was a real lifeline before the days of malls- if you couldn’t get it at Sears, Channel, or (god forbid the Great Eastern) you probably didn’t need it. Anyone remember the Steer Inn with the enormous neon (of course) long horns? For us, there was no over the river and through the woods. It was a straight shot along 22 to 21, through Newark, and over the Passaic River. 60 years later I still drive 22 whenever I return to the homeland (New Jersey, of course) and mourn the loss of loved ones. Not family as much as the monuments to slob culture- whatever those more cultured might call vernacular roadside architecture. The one I truly miss to this day is the Leaning Tower of Pizza, a stainless-steel marvel that was a family favorite, later a treasured high school hangout in the early ‘70’s. Once the tower came down it was all over.
I lived in Jersey in the 80s. I ate at every diner on 22 from the Lido Diner to Scotchwood Diner to Plainfield Diner to the Sunset Diner. I miss them badly.
You must have been in the North Plainfield area. I lived in Green Brook from 80-85 so I know all of these places. It still bothers me to watch the movie Vacation. They have a picture of that Tower of Pisa and label as Green Brook, NY.
Thanks for the update, I think! I haven't been down that way for those many years; I I drive it again it will sadly be as if I was in a different place!@@NJTransit1985
I remember going to the airport (Newark, of course!) when it was just one building with giant windows, to watch the planes come in from the observation deck on top of the terminal in the early 60's. Or, my father took my younger brother to the airport to watch the planes come in (Matt would later earn his solo pilots license before he qualified for drivers license!). Passing the flagship meant we were almost there! Clearly, this is an old film (just look at the age of the cars), however, I'm surprised to see how many of the business are still there!
I lived in NJ right next to Rte 22 for many years. Shepherd really captures the spirit of the road. It's even better in the winter coated with ice that the road department ignores and no one in NJ knows how to drive on.
This made me nostalgic, I remember the little polo horse ride outside of Two Guys and the hot dogs… rte 22… buy a chandelier next to a tarot card reader next to a pizza shop next to a tomb engraver. Take your life in your hands pulling out to the road with no shoulder or yield, no one slows down, just got things and brace for possible impact.
My vote for ugliest stretch of urban surface highway: the Tonnelle Ave. section of US 1, from NJ 495 to the Pulaski Skyway in Hudson County. Lots of competition for this title: US 1 in lots of places on the east coast, Ventura Blvd. and the former US 66 corridor in southern California, 441 in south Florida, Bayshore Blvd. in the Bay Area, US 40 in Maryland...I say this with all due affection for beautiful NJ, knowing many think it all looks like 1/9, 22 and the worst parts of the Turnpike.
I grew up in Gillette and 22 was always a weekend destination; Two Guys, E.J. Korvette's, Great Eastern Mills and then maybe the Scotch Plains Diner for lunch if my folks had any shopping money left over.
+John Becker So did I, on my way to work at Western Electric & Comcast in Union. Hey John, any relation to the late Steve Becker whom i worked with at Comcast?
I drive on Rt. 22 all the time, usually between Somerville and Watchung. It's sad that a lot of what seen in the film is long since gone. Still, we have our memories.
Route 22 in NJ from Somerville to Union once had the most commercial landmarks of any highway in the nation. The Flagship, The Planters Peanut Man, The Leaning Tower of Pizza, The Steer Inn. The place was full of gawdy mid- century commercial architecture!
I know this area well,,,from working the cable systems in both Scotch Plains and Plainfield before I retired from Comcast. My former supervisor lived in the first house on Terrill Rd. ( on the Plainfield side) at the intersection of E. 7th & Terrill Rd..
My first job when I graduated Seton Hall was in Harrison. No I 78 then and was living in Watchung. Went 22 east to rt 21 right through Newark everyday. Hated that road then. mid 70's.
The Flagship was Razed, but rebuilt, P.C. Richards has it now. Norwalk Vault was within walking distance of my house down and just off Terrill Rd. Now Sears and Roebuck isn't even there anymore. It's ALL gone, all the beautiful Kitsch of the time! :'( Too bad it wasn't designated a preservation site like Wildwood's Doo Wop District!
this is a segment of a 1-hour tv special shown@1984.It's classic shep,but the ace in the hole is the choice of soundtrack.What is that beautiful music?
525wireman - I am with the Watchung Historical Committee and have to ask you a question regarding this video and local history. Is there any way we can connect to discuss something?
In the 60's, I lived in Plainfield at Terrill Rd. and the Greenbook River, behind the Watchung Sears on 22. Since I-78 was completed, 22 has ended in the tangle around Newark Airport. I've been all over the country, and every metro has one or two of these once primary, now secondary highways lined with miles of commercial development. 22 through Essex and Union Counties was and is the scariest: interstate speeds with narrow lanes, bends, suddenly changing stoplights, and a zillion driveways.
MrMrPremise My mom thought I was getting too cocky with driving when my license still had wet ink & had me drive her to the Rickell's on 22.coming in the eastbound side off of Faitoute Ave & to take 1 of the many U turns by the Flagship & Shiki steakhouse. I was panicking after 3 minutes on 22!!! The average speed limit of the drivers was WARP SPEED & trying to get out of the U turn to the westbound side was damned near impossible! When I finally made it, my knuckles were white & my palms were clammy. It took me years to gain the confidence to get on 22 between Union & Westfield.
Ah, yes, the good old days when we made numerous trips between the "Big Top" and the "Adventure" car hops, one quarter mile at a time. Let's see what you got! Run what you brung!
and 27 years later, US-22 is in shambles. Most of the neon is gone and the vacant store fronts are increasing. Even the K-Mart is gone! Still plenty of traffic in Union though (along with a rebuilt Flagship). I should know, I'm on that highway every day.
THX. It is the building, but looks like it was something else then. A sign in the windows says something about, "...school of art." Is that footage older than the TV show (80s?)? I thought Ray's was (much?) older than that? I was just up that way on 22 yesterday. But not that far east. I haven't seen the building/site since it went out of business. Efinger's closed recently. SARCO moved to PA, just over the border on 78.
Dragon East chinese food & Howard Johnson Somerville on Sundays. Graymat record store at the circle. the west part had a drive in theater and still has Ryland Inn Whitehouse.
As i lived near Rt. 22 in Somerville. Rt. 22 IS what he says, BUT long gone Rt.22 staple 'Venture Car Hop' [American Grafitti- Jersey style!] couldn't be part of his keen observation of America.
Love this. I wish someone would remaster this someday, to replay what's in my childhood memories.
Jean Shepherd was my childhood hero. So many nights in the dark, listening to his voice! He worked entirely without scripts - how he did it was sheer genius. Every night, five days a week, the Bahn Frei Polka would start...and he would talk. Then, on Saturday, he'd broadcast live from the Limelight Nightclub in NYC for three hours.
And here he is, showing me the highway of my youth. I could have been in one of those cars! I miss you, Shep. I hope you are happy - you deserve it.
Jean Sheperd could turn anything into poetry.
He might struggle with your average pretentious Thom Yorke lyrical couplet but that's about it.
R.I.P. Jean Shepard! You shined your light on our ordinary lives!
This is my childhood in pictures - even think I saw our old station wagon (when it was new).
me too.... hahaha
And me
Rt 22 is where I truly learned to drive.
Every time I get pissed off I'm stuck on route 22 I'm going to have to remember Jean Shepherd's voice lol. I never knew I was in the presence of such wonders such as route 22, I'm glad this was made, Virginia must have been on some shrooms when he came up with this
I live near Cincinnati, where Route 22 starts. Seeing this historical footage is so beautiful! Sure wish Americans nowadays love this type of Americana like this 24-year-old does! Hearing Jean Shepherd's crisp and clean-cut voice deliciously describe the scenery is music to my ears and the imagery is soothing to my eyes.
When I moved to southern Ohio I took 22 from Cincy to Greenbrook many times to visit relatives in Dunellen. Sure it took it longer but the sights and memories are still in my mind. Like Mack Davis sang, "Stop and Smell the Roses"...along the way!
We love it too!! We made a song all about this video check it out th-cam.com/video/e8jgKwVugKc/w-d-xo.html
beautiful! Fits perfectly with Shep’s “Turnpike Philosophy”
Shep. at his absolute best!! Awesome!
I rode on that highway plenty of times in my life ! I know every curve from the Holland tunnel in Jersey City to the Texas Weiner II in Greenbrook! Wow, Great memories!
I grew up two blocks from 22, a bit west of most of the businesses mentioned by others. 22 was a real lifeline before the days of malls- if you couldn’t get it at Sears, Channel, or (god forbid the Great Eastern) you probably didn’t need it. Anyone remember the Steer Inn with the enormous neon (of course) long horns?
For us, there was no over the river and through the woods. It was a straight shot along 22 to 21, through Newark, and over the Passaic River. 60 years later I still drive 22 whenever I return to the homeland (New Jersey, of course) and mourn the loss of loved ones. Not family as much as the monuments to slob culture- whatever those more cultured might call vernacular roadside architecture.
The one I truly miss to this day is the Leaning Tower of Pizza, a stainless-steel marvel that was a family favorite, later a treasured high school hangout in the early ‘70’s. Once the tower came down it was all over.
It’s GONE? The Leaning Tower of Pizza is… gone? 😢
I lived in Jersey in the 80s. I ate at every diner on 22 from the Lido Diner to Scotchwood Diner to Plainfield Diner to the Sunset Diner. I miss them badly.
You must have been in the North Plainfield area. I lived in Green Brook from 80-85 so I know all of these places. It still bothers me to watch the movie Vacation. They have a picture of that Tower of Pisa and label as Green Brook, NY.
@@51pogo the leaning tower has been gone for many years. Texas Weiner 2 gone, Tiny Tots gone, Green Brook Bowl gone, Bowcraft gone, Arthur’s gone.
Thanks for the update, I think! I haven't been down that way for those many years; I I drive it again it will sadly be as if I was in a different place!@@NJTransit1985
I remember going to the airport (Newark, of course!) when it was just one building with giant windows, to watch the planes come in from the observation deck on top of the terminal in the early 60's. Or, my father took my younger brother to the airport to watch the planes come in (Matt would later earn his solo pilots license before he qualified for drivers license!). Passing the flagship meant we were almost there!
Clearly, this is an old film (just look at the age of the cars), however, I'm surprised to see how many of the business are still there!
I lived in NJ right next to Rte 22 for many years. Shepherd really captures the spirit of the road. It's even better in the winter coated with ice that the road department ignores and no one in NJ knows how to drive on.
I learned most of my swear words sitting in the back seat of my Dad’s car while he drove on 22.
Rt 22 was the center of my life. This is a brilliant surreal poem.
Ah, it was so sweet! I remember it well...neon signs, median stores, and all. Wonderful...
This made me nostalgic, I remember the little polo horse ride outside of Two Guys and the hot dogs… rte 22… buy a chandelier next to a tarot card reader next to a pizza shop next to a tomb engraver. Take your life in your hands pulling out to the road with no shoulder or yield, no one slows down, just got things and brace for possible impact.
My vote for ugliest stretch of urban surface highway: the Tonnelle Ave. section of US 1, from NJ 495 to the Pulaski Skyway in Hudson County. Lots of competition for this title: US 1 in lots of places on the east coast, Ventura Blvd. and the former US 66 corridor in southern California, 441 in south Florida, Bayshore Blvd. in the Bay Area, US 40 in Maryland...I say this with all due affection for beautiful NJ, knowing many think it all looks like 1/9, 22 and the worst parts of the Turnpike.
I grew up in Gillette and 22 was always a weekend destination; Two Guys, E.J. Korvette's, Great Eastern Mills and then maybe the Scotch Plains Diner for lunch if my folks had any shopping money left over.
I commuted on 22 for 15 years. I remember a lot of those signs and stores.
+John Becker
So did I, on my way to work at Western Electric & Comcast in Union. Hey John, any relation to the late Steve Becker whom i worked with at Comcast?
+525wireman No relation. I had an Uncle Steve, but he worked for the Delaware River Port Authority and lived somewhere down by Philly.
Ahead of his time! Thanks for the memories!
I don't remember him on NPR, but I listened to him on WOR AM for a good 15 years!
Good quality audio. Thanks for sharing.
I drive on Rt. 22 all the time, usually between Somerville and Watchung. It's sad that a lot of what seen in the film is long since gone. Still, we have our memories.
Shepherd was not nostalgic. he was being sarcastic
@@NoPrivateProperty Doesn't matter; I enjoyed it anyway.
THE FLAGSHIP,CHANNEL LUMBER,CHU DYNASTY,RONDO MUSIC. THIS WAS A TREAT.
Route 22 in NJ from Somerville to Union once had the most commercial landmarks of any highway in the nation. The Flagship, The Planters Peanut Man, The Leaning Tower of Pizza, The Steer Inn. The place was full of gawdy mid- century commercial architecture!
I know this area well,,,from working the cable systems in both Scotch Plains and Plainfield before I retired from Comcast. My former supervisor lived in the first house on Terrill Rd. ( on the Plainfield side) at the intersection of E. 7th & Terrill Rd..
I lived two blocks off Terrill down George St. before that overpass going that way!!
My first job when I graduated Seton Hall was in Harrison. No I 78 then and was living in Watchung. Went 22 east to rt 21 right through Newark everyday. Hated that road then. mid 70's.
my childhood, right there.
In the early 60's, I lived just off 22, in the Plainfield/Watching/Scotch Plains line, near Sears.
Sadly Sears is now gone. Sears was a local staple for over fifty years.
@@jeffdalrymple1634 I just hope they salvaged that Watchung painting from the Sears stairwell before the building was torn down.
The Flagship was Razed, but rebuilt, P.C. Richards has it now. Norwalk Vault was within walking distance of my house down and just off Terrill Rd. Now Sears and Roebuck isn't even there anymore. It's ALL gone, all the beautiful Kitsch of the time! :'( Too bad it wasn't designated a preservation site like Wildwood's Doo Wop District!
Memories of Channel Lumber & Morsan’s camping store. Good times 😊
I LOVE IT!!
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!!
this is a segment of a 1-hour tv special shown@1984.It's classic shep,but the ace in the hole is the choice of soundtrack.What is that beautiful music?
Any relation to Ricky Knowles ?
Ravel - Mother Goose Suite - "The Fairy Garden" BSO (Charles Munch - 1950)
Excellent!!
SHEP... A CHRONICLER of the times!!!
Le Jardin Feerique!! Thanks
525wireman - I am with the Watchung Historical Committee and have to ask you a question regarding this video and local history. Is there any way we can connect to discuss something?
While still in college, I worked at the Two Guys on Rte 22.
In the 60's, I lived in Plainfield at Terrill Rd. and the Greenbook River, behind the Watchung Sears on 22. Since I-78 was completed, 22 has ended in the tangle around Newark Airport. I've been all over the country, and every metro has one or two of these once primary, now secondary highways lined with miles of commercial development. 22 through Essex and Union Counties was and is the scariest: interstate speeds with narrow lanes, bends, suddenly changing stoplights, and a zillion driveways.
MrMrPremise My mom thought I was getting too cocky with driving when my license still had wet ink & had me drive her to the Rickell's on 22.coming in the eastbound side off of Faitoute Ave & to take 1 of the many U turns by the Flagship & Shiki steakhouse. I was panicking after 3 minutes on 22!!! The average speed limit of the drivers was WARP SPEED & trying to get out of the U turn to the westbound side was damned near impossible! When I finally made it, my knuckles were white & my palms were clammy. It took me years to gain the confidence to get on 22 between Union & Westfield.
Yup...If you used your directional signal to change lanes on 22 it was a sign of weakness!
Yes, the Flagship. I think it is gone now but never forgotten. Who could, how could anyone forget the Flagship?
It is still very much there in union.
@@harrisonc985 I am very relieved. Route 22 lives!
@@zoltankaparthy9095 It has been the location of the PC Richard and sons flagship store for the last 20 or so years
@@harrisonc985 Man. some things ARE sacred.
Many of those businesses (Two Guys, Bowcraft Playland) have long since closed.
Ah, yes, the good old days when we made numerous trips between the "Big Top" and the "Adventure" car hops, one quarter mile at a time. Let's see what you got!
Run what you brung!
and 27 years later, US-22 is in shambles. Most of the neon is gone and the vacant store fronts are increasing. Even the K-Mart is gone! Still plenty of traffic in Union though (along with a rebuilt Flagship). I should know, I'm on that highway every day.
denison clothiers - route 22 at the flagship - money talks - nobody walks!
I kept looking for Ray's Sporting Goods. Been closed for a while now.
It was the very first picture they showed.
THX. It is the building, but looks like it was something else then. A sign in the windows says something about, "...school of art." Is that footage older than the TV show (80s?)? I thought Ray's was (much?) older than that? I was just up that way on 22 yesterday. But not that far east. I haven't seen the building/site since it went out of business. Efinger's closed recently. SARCO moved to PA, just over the border on 78.
-NEVER BEEN ON THAT ROAD,..I COULDNT FIND IT..
GSP south exit in Union.
whatever happened to Jene's version which included a mention of "The Leaning Tower Of Pizza" ? that's the one i heard on WOR radio
I kept looking for "The Tower of Pizza" lol
Long gone now a dunkin donuts
seen the full version back then on NJN when cable was $10 a month
"Just let the rich effluvia of 20th century New Jersey life flow past ya."
Deserves a Mark Twain Prize ~~>
Dragon East chinese food & Howard Johnson Somerville on Sundays. Graymat record store at the circle.
the west part had a drive in theater and still has Ryland Inn Whitehouse.
location of Platter Puss at 2:12! (right after where Tech HiFi was)
The Tolkein of diner-spired Jerseyland.
I live there now. :)
Anyone know the music that was used in this piece? Sounds so familiar, but I can't think of the title.
Ravel - Mother Goose Suite - "The Fairy Garden" BSO (Charles Munch - 1950)
@youfilm88 tico taco was at rt 22 and warrenville road in greenbrook
First job in high school was at the perkins pancake house
Woodward Blvd. heading north out of Detroit
As i lived near Rt. 22 in Somerville. Rt. 22 IS what he says, BUT long gone Rt.22 staple 'Venture Car Hop' [American Grafitti- Jersey style!] couldn't be part of his keen observation of America.
Home of the dreaded Somerville Circle where only the strong survive!
@@kenehrenfeld2180 lol, make sure the car in front of you stops and pulls away, not pulls way then stops when your not looking going towards 28 west.
Route 22....The large intestine of New York City, dumping into New Jersy~
In the '60s Shep was Americana.
Anybody have access to sound bites of Dennison Clothier ads? They were SO overbearing.
"Where money talks, and nobody walks"
what no burma shave signs, miss ya shep
A Limo to W-Mart anyone ?.....
Shep wouldn't recognize 22 here in 2018.
Don't see it.
Not so different now....updated, different companies...but the same surrealistic art....no more harness for your mule, but the same really!!!
I just posted one I put together.
Insulting to NJ residents, from a 1950s film. How rude!