79694 " THE LAST CLEAR CHANCE " 1959 UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD CROSSING SAFETY FILM DRIVER'S ED MOVIE
“The Last Clear Chance” (1959) is a driver education film presented by Union Pacific Railroad. It was produced by Robert Carlisle with a cast comprised of William Boyett, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Agee, Tim Bosworth, William Agee, Christine Lynch and Lou Spraker. The film was captured on Kodachrome. Scenes were filmed in Nampa and Meridian, Idaho. It was created with the assistance of the Colorado State Patrol, Idaho State Police and the National Safety Council. The Director of Safety and Courtesy of Union Pacific, Francis B. Lewis helped supervise. Footage from the film was used in later works including in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 aired in 1993 as well as in the 2004 release of Panorama Ephemera. It tells the grim tale of a family coping with the loss of their son from an automobile accident. The tale centers around the Dixon family. Frank Jr. returns from college and Alan, the younger brother has just received his license. Local police officer; Hal Jackson, pays Alan a visit to educate him on driving safety. The funeral procession ends at Kohlerlawn Cemetery in Nampa (:09). A 1959 Pontiac (:23), red 1957 Ford (:17) and 1959 Cadillac swing in. The Idaho State Police patrol vehicle brings up the rear (:26). Officer Hal Jackson (:32) reflects on emotional pain experienced while attending the funeral (:44). Hal vows to do his best to prevent further loss from reckless driving (:59). Frank Jr. arrives home in an Austin-Healey 100 (1:19). His father waves from the field (1:27). Frank and his girlfriend share sweet treats at a drive-in food shack (1:39) selling Coca Cola and chicken baskets. Mr. Dixon’s new tractor gets refueled at a Union Pacific freight station in Meridian (1:50). Frank and his girlfriend drive the tractor from the station (2:30). They near a rail road crossing signal (2:39) and cross safely (2:50). Alan’s driver license arrives by mail (3:00). Officer Hal joins the Dixon family picnic (3:36) taking a look at Alan’s new driving license. He confronts Alan about driving without his license (4:04). His grandfather takes the wrap (4:10). Hal relays accident reports (4:45) highlighting the dangers of minor and major traffic incidence. He discusses the causes behind these incidences (5:09). He explains the dangers of passing in a no passing zone and tailgating (5:55). Hal gives Frank a traffic safety book titled “Signs of Life” meant to educate the reader on the necessity of adhering to traffic signs (6:47). Various traffic signs are explored (7:00). A stream liner drives through a rail road crossing (7:47) as Hal explains the specific dangers rail road crossings present to the driver. Evening falls over a neon lit Main Street Meridian as the difficulties with night driving are explored (8:44). Hal tells the story of Robert Bainbridge (9:35) who recently passed in a fatal motor vehicle accident (9:55). He details mistakes the 17-year-old driver made (10:40) including speeding, attempting to flee and driving recklessly on a gravel road. He explores the mindset of the young inexperienced driver (12:09). A section digs into the modern innovations in the world of transportation (12:24). A couple rides a tandem bike down a dirt road (12:29). Another sits in a horse and buggy (12:34) and a third drive in the classic Ford Model T (12:46). The modern highway junction for 6th Ave West is pictured (12:49). Fatigue is looked to as major cause of incidence on the road (13:39). A Pontiac convertible (14:24), Plymouth Cranbrook (14:36), Ford Fairlane (15:09) and Chevrolet Bel Air (15:26) are used in examples. A section looks at incidences related to railroad crossings (16:03). Proper crossing procedure is explained (16:59). Alan goes for a drive with his newly instated license (20:00) with his brother and girlfriend in the rear. The couple distractedly approach a railroad crossing (20:34) and are hit by a steam liner (21:05). The rail car drivers ask why don’t drivers pay attention (21:42). The film concludes at Frank’s funeral (21:55). Various uniformed highway patrol cops salute (22:40) including from Arizona (22:44) and Utah (22:50). This film was a Wondsel, Carlisle and Dunphy Production (22:51).<p><p>Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below.<p><p>This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com