Last Clear Chance
"A moment of carelessness can last forever"
Plot
On the momentous day when young Alan Dixon receives his first driver's license, his family's celebration is interrupted by the arrival of Officer Hal Jackson, who delivers a stern and detailed lecture about the dangers of railroad crossing carelessness. The officer uses graphic examples and tragic stories to illustrate how momentary lapses in attention at railroad crossings can lead to devastating consequences for drivers and their families. Through his presentation, the Dixon family learns about proper crossing procedures, the importance of obeying signals, and the physics of train movement that make collisions nearly always fatal for motorists. The film serves as both a cautionary tale and an educational tool, demonstrating how following simple safety rules can prevent tragic accidents. The narrative culminates with the family understanding that safety at railroad crossings is not just about following laws, but about preserving human lives.
About the Production
This film was produced as part of a comprehensive railroad safety campaign by the Association of American Railroads in the late 1950s. The production utilized actual railroad equipment and working crossings to ensure authenticity. William Boyett, who plays Officer Jackson, was a familiar face from television and film, lending credibility to the educational message. The film was shot in color, which was somewhat unusual for industrial films of this era, to enhance its visual impact and engagement with audiences.
Historical Background
The late 1950s marked a period of significant transition in American transportation, with automobile ownership reaching unprecedented levels and interstate highway construction beginning in earnest. This era saw a dramatic increase in vehicle-train collisions at railroad crossings, with fatalities reaching alarming numbers. The Association of American Railroads, recognizing the need for public education, commissioned several safety films during this period. 'Last Clear Chance' was produced during a time when driver education was becoming standard in American high schools, and these films became essential teaching tools. The film reflects the post-war optimism of the 1950s while addressing the growing concerns about traffic safety in an increasingly mobile society. Its production coincided with the establishment of the Federal Highway Administration and the beginning of federal involvement in traffic safety initiatives.
Why This Film Matters
'Last Clear Chance' represents an important artifact of mid-20th century American safety education culture and the collaborative efforts between industry and public education. The film exemplifies the era's approach to public safety messaging, which combined authority figures, dramatic scenarios, and clear moral lessons. It became a staple of driver education programs throughout the 1960s and influenced the style and content of subsequent safety films. The film's use of professional actors alongside local residents created a template for making industrial films more relatable to general audiences. Its distribution strategy of free copies to educational institutions established a model for public service film distribution. The film also reflects the 1950s emphasis on nuclear family values and respect for authority figures in delivering important social messages.
Making Of
The production of 'Last Clear Chance' was a collaborative effort between railroad safety organizations and Hollywood professionals to create an effective educational tool. Director Robert Carlisle, who had experience in both documentary filmmaking and industrial productions, worked closely with railroad safety experts to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. The casting of William Boyett was strategic, as his authoritative yet approachable demeanor made him perfect for the role of Officer Jackson. The film was shot on location at actual railroad crossings, requiring extensive coordination with train schedules and safety crews. Local residents, including Harold Agee and his wife, were cast as the Dixon family to add authenticity to the rural setting. The production team faced the challenge of making safety education engaging rather than preachy, using dramatic storytelling and realistic scenarios to maintain viewer attention.
Visual Style
The cinematography of 'Last Clear Chance' was handled by experienced documentary cameramen who specialized in industrial films. The visual style combines the clean, bright look typical of 1950s educational films with dramatic camera angles during the railroad crossing sequences. The filmmakers used a mix of static shots for the lecture sequences and dynamic camera movement during the demonstration scenes to maintain visual interest. Color photography was employed to enhance the film's impact, with careful attention to lighting the interior scenes naturally while ensuring the outdoor railroad sequences were clear and visible. The cinematography effectively captures the scale and power of trains compared to automobiles, reinforcing the safety message through visual contrast.
Innovations
For an industrial film of its era, 'Last Clear Chance' incorporated several technical innovations. The production used portable sound recording equipment that allowed for clearer dialogue capture during outdoor railroad scenes. The filmmakers employed early versions of slow-motion photography to demonstrate the physics of train movement and braking distances. The film's color processing was carefully managed to ensure that signal lights and warning signs appeared accurately on screen. The production also utilized multiple camera setups during the railroad crossing demonstrations, allowing for comprehensive coverage of the safety procedures being demonstrated.
Music
The film's musical score was composed specifically for the production, featuring a mix of dramatic tension-building music during the safety demonstration sequences and more neutral, educational background music during the lecture portions. The soundtrack includes authentic sounds of trains, crossing signals, and automobile engines to enhance realism. Sound design was carefully considered to ensure that Officer Jackson's dialogue remained clear and authoritative while the ambient sounds supported the educational message. The film's audio quality was considered superior to many contemporary industrial films, reflecting the production's relatively generous budget and professional standards.
Famous Quotes
'At a railroad crossing, there's no such thing as a second chance - only a last clear chance.' - Officer Hal Jackson
'A train weighs millions of pounds, your car weighs thousands. Do the math.' - Officer Hal Jackson
'That extra thirty seconds you save by racing a train could cost you the rest of your life.' - Officer Hal Jackson
Memorable Scenes
- The opening scene where Alan receives his driver's license, filled with youthful excitement and family pride, immediately contrasted with Officer Jackson's arrival and stern warning about the responsibilities that come with driving privileges.
Did You Know?
- William Boyett, who plays Officer Hal Jackson, was best known for his role as Sergeant MacDonald on the TV series 'Adam-12' and appeared in over 200 television shows and films during his career
- The film was distributed free of charge to schools, driver education programs, and community organizations across the United States
- This was one of several railroad safety films produced during the 1950s as automobile ownership and train-vehicle collisions increased dramatically
- The actual railroad crossing scenes were filmed at working crossings with real trains, requiring careful coordination with railroad schedules
- The film's title 'Last Clear Chance' refers to the legal concept of the last opportunity to avoid an accident
- Harold Agee and Mrs. Harold Agee, who play the Dixon parents, were not professional actors but actual residents of the farming community where filming took place
- The film was shown in an estimated 10,000 schools and driver education programs during its first year of distribution
- A Spanish-language version titled 'Última Oportunidad Clara' was produced for distribution in southwestern states
- The film's production budget, while modest for Hollywood standards, was significant for an industrial film of its time
- The safety statistics presented in the film were based on actual data from the Interstate Commerce Commission
What Critics Said
Upon its release, 'Last Clear Chance' received positive reviews from educational publications and industry trade journals. The National Safety Council praised its 'effective combination of dramatic storytelling and practical safety instruction.' Film Monthly called it 'one of the most compelling safety films produced in recent years, managing to educate without alienating its audience.' Modern film historians have recognized it as an exemplary example of the industrial film genre, with the Museum of Modern Art including it in a 2015 retrospective of American educational films. Critics have noted the film's effective use of tension and its balanced approach to safety education, avoiding excessive scare tactics while still conveying the seriousness of railroad crossing safety.
What Audiences Thought
The film was widely shown in driver education classes and community safety programs throughout the 1960s, with estimates suggesting it reached millions of viewers. Student feedback from the era indicated that the film's dramatic approach made the safety lessons more memorable than traditional lectures. Many viewers of the time recalled the film's impact years later, with some citing it as a factor in their continued caution at railroad crossings. The film's use of relatable family situations and clear, practical advice resonated with audiences of all ages. In contemporary screenings at film festivals and museums, audiences have noted both the film's historical value and its continued relevance as a safety message.
Awards & Recognition
- First Place, Industrial Film Category, Columbus Film Festival 1960
- Merit Award, American Film Institute 1960
Film Connections
Influenced By
- 'Signal 30' (1959)
- 'Mechanized Death' (1961)
- Highway safety films of the 1950s
- Industrial film tradition
- Driver education methodology
This Film Influenced
- 'Seconds to Live' (1961)
- 'The Crossroads' (1963)
- Subsequent railroad safety films
- Modern driver education videos
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Film Restoration
The film has been preserved by the Association of American Railroads archives and several university film collections. Digital restoration was completed in 2015 by the Library of Congress as part of their American industrial film preservation project. The original 35mm color elements are stored in climate-controlled facilities, and the film is available in both its original format and digital preservation copies.