Created in 1947 by Belmont Pictures Inc., this film for Los Angeles Transit Lines (the post-WWII moniker for the Los Angeles Railway and bus lines) is entitled “It’s a Big Job”. It was created to recruit drivers, motormen and conductors. The film’s script was written by Eric Strutt, produced by Dan Downer and photography by William Wooten. The film is narrated by actor Alexander Scourby, who also stars. It was directed by J. Richard Westen. The movie opens with text indicating it is “Dedicated to the thousands of men and women whose hands and minds and energies are devoted to the maintenance and operation of the Los Angeles Transit Lines.” Streetcar is pictured with motorman in charge, 2:10. A man, Bill Weston, is interviewed for being a transit line conductor, 3:05. Applicant gets a job interview at 3:10. Man takes physical for transit job, 3:32. Man receives his cap for his new transit job, 4:10. Man receives on the job training, 4:34, aboard LARY H-4 model car 1369. Man practices at the controller, 4:45, door lever, reverse lever, gong, air gauge, sander, air brake (5:06), emergency brakes, deadman control, and more . Man learns about all the controls of the trolley car, air brakes and speed controller, 5:30. At 5:49 the motorman learns how to use the trolley catcher and put the trolley pole up on the line. Man dreams in his bed / has a nightmare about his new job, 6:40. At 7:14, the trainee tests a streamliner or PCC car — President’s Conference Car. Man test operates the PCC streetcar, 7:45. Man drives down the right of way at the throttle of his streetcar, 8:30, while speaking about dangers of operating among autos. Man learns about streetcar schedules, transfers (9:44), tokens, passes, safety and operation, 10;00. Man witnesses film of people trapping a motorman into an accident with a Model T Ford as part of his training. The conductor takes the names of his passengers with courtesy cards, 10:55. The maintenance workers who keep the cars running are are featured at 12:10 including track men, upholsterers, painters, supervisors, and more. The new man starts his on the street training. Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles on a route are shown as well as call boxes, 13:45. Trainee checks his new schedule, ready for work, 14:30. Motorman Bill Weston arrives for his first day of work, 15:00. Man operates the streetcar for the first time, 16:00. Passengers are featured on the streetcar, 16:20. Man finishes his first day, 17:35 and turns his farebox money into the cashier. At 17:51 busy Los Angeles downtown is shown. At 18:00 a trolley car operates at dawn. Man learns how to run a GM diesel bus, 18:40. At 19:50 a trolley bus is shown in operation. Bill Weston speaks about his training and his new job, 20:00. Man greets his family, 20:45. Weston talks about how much he loves his job as a transit worker, 21:30.
The Los Angeles Railway (also known as Yellow Cars, LARy and later Los Angeles Transit Lines) was a system of streetcars that operated in Central Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods between 1901 and 1963. It operated on 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow gauge tracks.
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