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ABC NEWS SPECIAL: INAUGURATION '81 (TV)

Summary

An"ABC News Special," featuring live coverage of the inauguration of Ronald Reagan as fortieth President of the United States. This news coverage is anchored by Ted Koppel. As the program begins, ABC correspondents comment on the events of the day, the church service the Reagans attended, the Iran hostage release operation, the situation at the White House, President Jimmy Carter's last day of work, and the importance of the timing of the hostages' release. Correspondents include Sam Donaldson, Frank Reynolds, Barbara Walters, Bill Greenwood, Susan King, George Will, Sander Vanocur, and Peter Jennings. A brief report notes that presidents no longer ride in open cars, yet President Carter has decided to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the inauguration. The program features clips of the inaugural ball from the previous evening, with entertainers Johnny Carson and Rich Little. Next, the Reagan motorcade arrives and the Carters welcome the Reagans to the White House. Koppel and Jennings comment on the theory that the Iranians seem to be "sticking it" to Carter by not releasing the hostages until after President-elect Ronald Reagan has taken the presidential oath of office. Reporting from the State Department, Barrie Dunsmore remarks on this theory; James Wooten reports from the rotunda as a parade of dignitaries walk past; and Charles Gibson reports on the crowds that are trying to witness the inauguration from outside the White House grounds. Included are comments by teacher Glenn Taylor, who brought his class from California to watch the ceremony. Next, Koppel asks Jennings how long the hostages' journey from Algiers to Frankfurt will take, after which the inauguration begins. Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-Ore.) opens the ceremony, a Marine sings "America the Beautiful," the Rev. Donn B. Moomaw recites the invocation, George Bush is sworn into the office of the vice presidency by Associate Justice Potter Stewart, the United States Marine Band performs "God of Our Fathers," and Reagan is sworn into the office of the presidency by Chief Justice Warren Burger. Then, President Ronald Reagan begins his inauguration speech by praising President Carter and the smooth process of the White House transition.

Reagan continues his inaugural address with the promise of economic recovery. He invokes the wisdom of "We the People," says that heroes are to be found in everyday life, and warns the "enemies of freedom" that the U.S. will act to preserve its national security. Following this, the Rev. Donn Moomaw delivers the benediction and a woman sings "The Star-Spangled Banner." Ted Koppel reviews the developments in the hostage crisis and Peter Jennings relates the contradicting wire service reports coming in to Frankfurt. As the Carters and Mondales travel to Andrews Air Force Base, Koppel reports that a plane left from Tehran with the U.S. hostages on board, and he and Jennings discuss the extraordinary timing of the release of the hostages. Other highlights include the following: reporter Brit Hume speaks with Speaker of the House Thomas O'Neill about the hostage situation; reporter Frank Reynolds talks with George Will and Sander Vanocur about the president's inaugural address; Jennings confirms that the aircraft carrying the hostages took off from Tehran three minutes after Reagan took the oath of office; Tom Jarriel reports from Andrews Air Force Base on Carter's plans to fly to Germany; a twenty-one gun salute is fired at the airport in honor of former President Carter; the wife of hostage Col. Thomas E. Schaefer says goodbye to the Carters; and, at the Capitol, President Reagan signs a bill to freeze spending on Federal employees; Koppel reviews the flight plans for the hostages; an ABC reporter interviews Mary and Paul Needham, parents of Air Force Capt. Paul M. Needham, Jr., about his release; Jennings reports from Frankfurt on the activity at the airport; Mrs. Schaefer remarks on her conversation with former President Carter as he departed Washington, D.C.; Reynolds talks with Anthony Cooke, brother of one of the hostages; Will, Vanocur, and Reynolds discuss cabinet appointments; and Jarriel talks with former Secretary of State Edmund Muskie about the day's events. Brief documentaries about the life of Ronald Reagan and the perks of the presidency are followed by a documentary about Nancy Reagan, narrated by Barbara Walters. Next, Sally Quinn reports from the rotunda about the sense of Hollywood surrounding the day's events, Jennings reports on the flight plan of the hostages, and the mother of hostage Donald Cooke talks about his release. As part two concludes, Barrie Dunsmore reports from the State Department on the reactions of the wives of several hostages.

Bonita Granville Wrather talks to Barbara Walters about the "kitchen cabinet" and the day's events; Frank Reynolds reports on the inaugural luncheon menu and Sander Vanocur comments on the wines; excerpts from past inaugural addresses are featured; Reynolds, Vanocur, and George Will comment on Reagan's inaugural address; at the luncheon, Reagan states that the released American hostages have left Iranian air space; Sen. Howard Baker (R-Tenn.), majority leader of the U.S. Senate, toasts Vice President George Bush, who proposes a toast to the U.S. Congress; Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-Ore.) briefs guests on post-luncheon events; Al Dale reports from Plains, Georgia, where civilians line the streets awaiting the arrival of former President Jimmy Carter; Reynolds notes that this inauguration is the most expensive in history; Charles Gibson reports from the parade area on events to come; Walters comments on spectators in the reviewing stands; Ted Koppel talks with Peter Jennings about the destination of the hostages; an ABC correspondent talks with Hazel Albin, the mother of former hostage Robert Blucker, about her son's release; the Reagans and Bushes review the Honor Guard and other military units; Ann Compton reports on the parade and the weather; correspondent Joe Benton reports on the civilians lined up along Pennsylvania Avenue to catch a glimpse of President Reagan as his motorcade travels along the parade route; Koppel reviews the journey the hostages will take; Walters speaks with Nancy Reagan's press secretary, Sheila Patton, about the First Lady's plans and some criticisms of her actions; correspondent Mike Von Fremd reports on the crowds along Pennsylvania Avenue; Reynolds discusses cabinet nominations; Jennings reports from Frankfurt and relates information about the condition of the hostages as they left Tehran; Walters interviews Secretary of State nominee Alexander M. Haig, Jr., who comments on the problems with Iran and U.S. foreign policy; in a video clip, President Carter reacts to the news that the hostages would be released; Reynolds and Vanocur discuss Reagan's potential as a president; Walters and Koppel compare this inauguration to the one that occurred four years earlier; the Carters arrive in Plains, Georgia; and the Reagans and Bushes enter the reviewing stands.

The Reagans view the inaugural parade of marching bands, military units, and floats from all parts of the nation; Jimmy Carter speaks from Plains, Georgia, on his reaction to the release of U.S. hostages from Iran, the heroic efforts of the Algerians, and his plans to go to Germany to greet the hostages; Barbara Walters reports that the freed American hostages are in Athens en route to Algiers; Ted Koppel repeats the travel plans of the hostages; Charles Gibson reports on the timing of the parade; Susan King speaks with Reagan's deputy chief of staff, Michael Deaver, about President Reagan's reaction to the news that the hostages had left Iranian air space; Koppel reports that U.S. Air Force planes have arrived in Algiers to await the hostages, accompanied by footage of U.S. aircrafts in Algiers; Lou Cioffi reports from Algiers on the situation there; the inaugural parade concludes with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"; President Reagan shakes hands with Gen. Omar N. Bradley and leaves the stands with Nancy Reagan; Frank Reynolds comments on the departure of the hostages from Iran and shows a photograph of the scene at the Tehran Airport; and Koppel and Walters conclude with their thoughts on the day's events. Inauguration day coverage concludes with a montage of highlights of the day. Includes commercials.

(This program is part of a full day of broadcasting from ABC affiliate KABC in Los Angeles.)

Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, 1997.

Details

  • NETWORK: KABC-TV
  • DATE: January 20, 1981 Tuesday 7:00 AM
  • RUNNING TIME: 6:58:03
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T81:0730
  • GENRE: News
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Day of TV - 1981, Jan 20, 7:00 A.M., KABC; Hostages; Iran - History - Hostage crisis, 1979-1981; U S - Foreign relations - Iran; U S - Presidency - Inaugurations - 1981
  • SERIES RUN: KABC (Los Angeles, CA) - TV, 1981
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Aim toothpaste
    • TV - Commercials - Bayer aspirin
    • TV - Commercials - Brim decaffeinated coffee
    • TV - Commercials - Cheerios cereal
    • TV - Commercials - Chloraseptic lozenges
    • TV - Commercials - Clorox bleach
    • TV - Commercials - CoTylenol cold medication
    • TV - Commercials - Concentrated All laundry detergent
    • TV - Commercials - Cycle dog food
    • TV - Commercials - Diet Pepsi soft drink
    • TV - Commercials - Dream Whip/Jello Instant Pudding mixes
    • TV - Commercials - Duraflame fire log
    • TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
    • TV - Commercials - General Foods International coffees
    • TV - Commercials - Grape Nuts cereal
    • TV - Commercials - IDS investment firms
    • TV - Commercials - Johnson's baby products
    • TV - Commercials - Kool-Aid Brand unsweetened soft drink mix
    • TV - Commercials - Lanacort hydrocortisone creme
    • TV - Commercials - Libby's Lite canned fruits
    • TV - Commercials - Maxwell House coffee
    • TV - Commercials - Metamucil laxatives
    • TV - Commercials - Methane Gas energy
    • TV - Commercials - Myadec vitamins and minerals
    • TV - Commercials - Oven Fry food product
    • TV - Commercials - Polaroid instant cameras
    • TV - Commercials - Sanka decaffeinated coffee
    • TV - Commercials - Shake 'n' Bake coating mix
    • TV - Commercials - Sinutab sinus headache pain relief
    • TV - Commercials - Stove Top stuffing
    • TV - Commercials - Tang drink mix
    • TV - Commercials - Topol smoker's toothpolish
    • TV - Commercials - Tylenol pain relief medication
    • TV - Commercials - Wella Balsam shampoo and conditioner
    • TV - Promos - "ABC News Special: America Held Hostage: the Secret Negotiations"
    • TV - Promos - "Charlie's Angels"
    • TV - Promos - "Eight is Enough"
    • TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
    • TV - Promos - "Happy Days"
    • TV - Promos - "Hart to Hart"
    • TV - Promos - "Laverne & Shirley"
    • TV - Promos - "Soap"
    • TV - Promos - "Taxi"
    • TV - Promos - "Three's Company"
    • TV - Promos - "Two Close for Comfort"
    • TV - Promos - "Vegas"

CREDITS

  • Ted Koppel … Anchor
  • Ann Compton … Reporter
  • Sam Donaldson … Reporter
  • Barrie Dunsmore … Reporter
  • Charles Gibson … Reporter
  • Bill Greenwood … Reporter
  • Peter Jennings … Reporter
  • Susan King … Reporter
  • Frank Reynolds … Reporter
  • Sander Vanocur … Reporter
  • Barbara Walters … Reporter
  • George Will … Reporter
  • James Wooten … Reporter
  • Brit Hume … Reporter
  • Tom Jarriel … Reporter
  • Sally Quinn … Reporter
  • Joe Benton … Reporter
  • Al Dale … Reporter
  • Mike Von Fremd … Reporter
  • Lou Cioffi … Reporter
  • Ronald Reagan … Speaker
  • Donn B. Moomaw … Speaker
  • Anthony Cooke … Guest
  • Susan Cooke … Guest
  • Mary Needham … Guest
  • Paul Needham … Guest
  • Thomas O'Neill … Guest
  • Hazel Albin … Guest
  • Bonita Granville Wrather … Guest
  • Sheila Patton … Guest
  • Howard Baker
  • Robert Blucker
  • Omar N. Bradley
  • Warren Burger
  • Barbara Bush
  • George Bush
  • Johnny Carson
  • Jimmy Carter
  • Rosalynn Carter
  • Michael Deaver
  • Mark Hatfield
  • Rich Little
  • Walter Mondale
  • Nancy Reagan
  • Potter Stewart
  • Glenn Taylor
  • The Mormon Tabernacle Choir