Streamlining And Safety

2922. STREAMLINING and SAFETY (1945-1947) Partial Color. Four films or the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific railroads.
1. STREAMLINED (1947). Narrated by ANDRE BARUCH. This is “a new era in transportation,” and the lyrical beauty of this film is matched by the hyperbole of the announcer: “Only the throttle can stem the progress of the iron wheel!” From the opening shot of three steam locos belching smoke on a three level overpass, we see interior and exterior shots of the “Silver Streak” as it makes its way from Chicago to the Pacific. Everything about this modern railroad seems to be streamlined, except the accordion playing in the Club Car. What a way to travel.
2. DON’T LET IT HAPPEN TO YOU (1946) COLOR. A “Safety” film by the Santa Fe Railroad to teach its employees to “look, listen and learn.” A railroad can be a dangerous place to work if you’re not careful. This short film is filled with scenes of men falling off locomotives, tripping over railroad ties and other accidents.
3. STOP, LOOK and LIVE (1945) COLOR. This Santa Fe “Safety” film opens with a scene in a graveyard. Poor George Matthews, died at age 43 after a rendezvous with a locomotive. Stop, look and live George!
4. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO HAPPEN (1945) COLOR. More Santa Fe employees tumble off box cars and ladders. The safety information and tools are there, but you have to use them and know the rules!
51 minutes total. Railroading