
Michael (Jeff Bridges) drops out of college with the intention of finding himself. When his parents (Carl Betz and Vera Miles) balk, he talks them into joining him in traveling the country and educating themselves about the state of things. They, along with Grandma (Ruth McDevitt) trick out an old Greyhound bus and hit the road. The picaresque plotline brings the family into contact with a variety of colorful characters. The producers of In Search of America never declared outright that the made-for-TV film was intended as a series pilot, but it ends on an ambiguous note with plenty of loose plot ends. In Search of America was first telecast March 23, 1971.

Carl Betz
Ben Olson

Vera Miles
Jenny Olson

Jeff Bridges
Mike Olson

Ruth McDevitt
Grandma Rose

Renne Jarrett
Kathy

Howard Duff
Ray Chandler

Kim Hunter
Cora Chandler

Sal Mineo
Nick

Michael Anderson Jr.
J.J.

Tyne Daly
Anne

Glynn Turman
Bodhi
Chris Gilmore
Girl

Big House Blues
Big House Blues

The Ghost Writer
The Ghost Writer

House on Greenapple Road
House on Greenapple Road

Mascarpone
Mascarpone

The Brotherhood of the Bell
The Brotherhood of the Bell

Kate McShane
Kate McShane

The President's Plane Is Missing
The President's Plane Is Missing

Get on the Bus
Get on the Bus

Black Water Gold
Black Water Gold
Psyko Ferret
Psyko Ferret

Bagboy!
Bagboy!
Junkyard Teddies
Junkyard Teddies