This 1940s film titled “Guilty” is an early, scripted driver’s education film that spreads awareness around traffic safety rules and the consequences of reckless driving. Presented by the Kansas City Safety Council in cooperation with the Police Department and the division of traffic engineering and produced by The Calvin Co. Kansas City, Missouri, the film tells the story of Bill Hardaway – a young man with a blasé attitude towards road safety. One day Bill is taken to court for his reckless driving, from there begins a parallel story of what could happen if Bill does not change his ways. The film features Harry Sackett as Bill Hardaway, Larry Sherwood as Ned Cummings, Betty Jo Le Vec as Ann, Billie Cook as Mickey, and Everett Kemp as the judge. Alongside the cast, the crew of the film includes screenwriter WM.G. Wilson, photographer Harry Philpott, Ralph C. Meyn, Bert Buhrman, WM.Simmons, Lloyd Thompson, and director Forrest O. Calvin.

Aerial shot – cars drive down Kansas City street (0:08). Profile of man as he drives car (0:22). Policeman directing traffic (0:27). Opening credits introducing cast and characters and crew (0:40-1:58). Bill Hardaway drives car around city streets (2:01). Bill is pulled over by cops (2:31). Bill brought to court and charged by judge, judge speaks to camera and imparts facts about road accidents in the United States (2:51-7:29). Ned Cummings reads a magazine in his living room (7:30). Close-up of 1940s Tube Radio (7:41). Ned and Bill listen to police scanner on radio in living room (7:43). Ned and Bill have a heated discussion about law enforcement and road safety (8:53). Ned’s wife Ann enters the living room and joins the men (9:39). Ned and Ann’s son Mickey returns home and announces he is now a safety patrolman at school (10:23). Ned, Bill, and Mickey out for a drive, competition between Mickey and Bill as to who knows more traffic safety rules (11:47). Animation of scenarios of cars at 4-way intersection (12:35-13:33). Man crosses busy street, sign for Meyer Ice Cream Parlor in background (13:38). Diagrams of cars to illustrate pedestrian etiquette (13:45-14:32). Explanation of traffic signs (14:37). Policeman writes ticket for Bill (14:57). Multiple men pile into a car, perhaps 1940s Chrysler or Ford Business Coupe model (15:06). Animation explaining which cars have the right of way in traffic (15:21-17:29). Driver in car signals a turn with hand (17:40). (17:45). Animation of cars detailing etiquette for turning and signaling eminent turns (17:44). Footage from drivers perspective of driving down road in residential area (18:06). Traffic on main city street, Kansas City streetcar halted at red light (18:16). Footage from drivers perspective of driving down road in residential area (18:30). Quiet street with intersection of cars and streetcar crossing (18:36). Highlighting streetcar crossing known for fatal accidents (18:53). Cars drive on slicked road due to weather conditions (19:06). Close-up of tires spinning on icy roads (19:17). Footage of one car tailing another (19:29). Footage of headlights lit as cars drive at night (19:45). Ned, Bill, and Mickey return from their drive (20:10). Ned and Ann have a discussion in the living room (20:44). Close-up of cover of book “Accident Facts 1939 Edition” by the National Safety Council (22:28). Ned sleeps while police scanner reports an accident involving a blue Sedan (22:31). Ned awakens and realizes Bill and Ann were involved in the accident (23:33). Ned rushes out the door and nearly knocks over Mickey (23:38). Ned sits in waiting room of the hospital (24:26). Ned speaks to Bill while Bill is injured in a hospital bed, they discuss the details of the accident (24:54). Ned tells Mickey that Ann passed away in the accident (25:57). Bill, Ned, and Mickey have a discussion in their living room at home (26:13). Bill stands on street corner and reminisces about memories of his sister and the traffic accident (29:23). Return to court scene (30:05).

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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, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com