Film Details

This film covers the early history of post World War II educational films, especially those involving traffic safety by the Highway Safety Foundation under direction of Richard Wayman. In the name of promoting safe driving in teenagers, these films became notorious for their gory depiction of accidents to shock their audiences to make their point. The film also covers the role of safety films of this era, their effect on North American teenage culture, the struggle between idealism and lurid exploitation and how they reflected the larger society concerns of the time that adults projected onto their youth.

Directed by: Bret Wood

Top Cast: John P. Butler, Earle Deems, John R. Domer, David Krug, Eric Krug, Rick Prelinger, Mike Vraney, James Waller

Genre: Documentary

Upcoming Free Screenings (1)

• Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 7:00 PMDigital Gym Cinema — San Diego, CA
  Available on 1 siteGet the RSVP link

Past Screenings

• Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 7:00 PMSuns Cinema — Washington, DC
  This screening has passed.
• Friday, September 11, 2026 at 3:30 PMSie FilmCenter (Denver Film) — Denver, CO
  This screening has passed.