This classic late 1930s to late 1950s
library of Drivers Ed films covers all the do's and don'ts of safe driving.
THe films are a mix of good advice - 50's style - and dramatic shots of accidents
and accident scenes designed to scare young about to be drivers into being responsible
drivers. Many of you will have seen one or more of these films during your school
years and many others will get a kick out of how differently driving and driving
safety was viewed 50 years ago. If you drive or are thinking of driving, this
collection is sure to delight.
Here are all the films that make
up this historical collection:
Signal 30 (1959)
  
Signal 30 is the classic shock and scare driving safety film. It shows
many bad car accidents that caused injury and death - and shows the victims
- all while the voiceover makes it clear that they were at fault. This
film, produced in cooperation with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, is quite
graphic in its images of violent accident scenes.
Producer: Highway Safety Films, Inc.
Audio/Visual: Sound, Color
Run time: 27:06
|
Last Date (1949)
  
This film tells the tale of Jeanne, an attractive and popular girl who
had it all. That in until one day speeding caused a car accident that
ruined her life. This film stars Dick York, Joan Taylor and Robert Stern.
It was the winner of the annual award of the National Committee on Films
for Safety as 1949's best non-theatrical picture.
Director: Lewis D. Collins
Producer: Lewis D. Collins
Production Company: Wilding Picture Productions
Audio/Visual: sound, Black & White
Run time: 19:00
|
Road Runners
  
This hot rodding film explores how a little creativity and change of
focus can solve a problem. It explores how young hotrodders are taught
that speed is OK at the right place and shows how they are turned onto
becoming members of racing clubs and how that will let them drive fast
whenever they want in a safe environment. The film shows a variety of
the day's hot rods and many interesting race shots.
Producer: Unknown
Audio/Visual: Sound, Black & White
Run time: 11:46
|
A Cool Hot Rod (1953)
  
This film shows how a hot rod club helps young people learn safe driving
skills by following the strict membership rules of the club. It shows
how the teels and young adults can have fun with their hot rods without
getting themselves and others hurt. This film was make with the support
of Hot Rod Magazine and Socony-Vacuum and filmed in Inglewood, CA with
the help of several local car clubs. It features a wide variety of hot
rods of the era and has many excellent drag racing scenes.
Production Company: Sid Davis Productions
Audio/Visual: sound, Black & White
Run time: 26:07
|
Stop Driving Us Crazy!
This driving safety film is done from a slightly different perspective.
Rusty, who is a spy from Mars, visits earth and observes how much Earthlings
disrespect each other because of their bad driving. The film equates reclkess
driving with sin and goes on to educate on what are good safe driving
techniques.
Producer: Creative Arts Studios
Audio/Visual: Sound, Color
Run time: 9:51
|
Live and Let Live (1947)
  
This odd safety film is created on a table top set with model buildings,
roads and cars which shows a typical town with typical drivers. It demonstrates
a variety of driving scenarios and shows what happens when everyone follows
the rules and when someone does not follow the rules.
Producer: Aetna Casualty & Surety Company
Audio/Visual: Sound, Color
Run time: 10:15
|
The Other Fellow (1937)
  
Driving safety the Edgar Kennedy Way. This comedian acts as a reckless
driver who puts a variety of other drivers in dangerous situations and
learns proper safety techniques so that he is no longer "the other
fellow" that everyone talks about when they talk about bad drivers.
The film teaches safe driving through a variety of humorous lessons and
is a refreshing change from the crash and burn safety films of the era.
Producer: Jam Handy Organization
Audio/Visual: Sound, Black & White
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