THE LAST CLEAR CHANCE is a 1959 American short film produced and directed by Robert Carlisle. Sponsored by Union Pacific Railroad, Last Clear Chance is a safety film intended to warn young drivers to be careful at railroad crossings. The film’s cast consists of William Boyett, Harold Agee, Mrs. Harold Agee, Tim Bosworth, William Agee, Christine Lynch, and Lou Spraker. Written by Leland Baxter, the film was shot in parts of Idaho. Wondsel, Carlisle & Dunphy Inc, based in New York City, served as the film’s production company.
The film centers on the Dixon family, in particular Alan Dixon, who has recently received his driver’s license and is eager to begin driving a car. When local police officer Hal Jackson visits the Dixons and learns that Alan’s license has arrived, he sits down and tells Alan ways to drive safely and avoid getting into accidents. Although the film is fictional, a real family served as the inspiration for the film’s scenario. During production, assistance was provided by staff of the National Safety Council, along with the Idaho State Police and the Colorado State Patrol.
Last Clear Chance was distributed by Union Pacific in 1959, and was circulated widely in the years that followed. Met with warm reception from safety workers, the film was featured in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 that originally aired in 1993, and clips from the film were used in the 2004 film Panorama Ephemera.
Last Clear Chance was produced and directed by Robert Carlisle.[The production was supervised by Francis B. Lewis, who was the Union Pacific Railroad’s Director of Safety and Courtesy. Assistance on research for the film was provided by staff of the National Safety Council. A note at the end of the film gives thanks to the Idaho State Police, the Colorado State Patrol, and their respective staffs for “their unstinted cooperation and assistance in making this film.”
The film features William Boyett as police officer Hal Jackson. Frank Dixon, Sr. is played by Harold Agee, while the role of Mrs. Dixon is credited to “Mrs. Harold Agee.” Future corporate executive William Agee plays Frank Dixon, Jr. with Christine Lynch appearing as his girlfriend, Betty Hutchins. Tim Bosworth was cast as Alan Dixon, and Lou Spraker plays the grandfather. The film, written by Leland Baxter, features a scenario that was inspired by a real-life family. Bert Spielvogel served as the cinematographer for Last Clear Chance, with Peter Norman working as assistant cameraman. Shot in Kodachrome, filming locations included Nampa, Idaho and Meridian, Idaho; main character Hal wears an Idaho State Police uniform. Mort Fallick was the film’s editor.
Made five years after The Days of Our Years, another Union Pacific Railroad-sponsored safety film, Last Clear Chance was produced by Wondsel, Carlisle and Dunphy, Inc. in order to inform young drivers how to make sure to avoid accidents
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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 and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
