The city of Anyburg decides its traffic situation has gotten out of hand, so it puts the automobile on trial. The trial (conducted in rhyme) starts with a car that was in a hit-and-run accident, followed by a sports car whose sins are peeling rubber and general hot-rodding, followed by a heap, on trial for lack of safety. Next, a number of safety equipment designers testify that, despite their best efforts, the accident rate keeps rising. Through all this, the defense lawyer declines to ask questions. A highway designer bemoans the problems on his beautiful roads. At last, defense. He shows a number of scenarios, pointing out that the real problem isn't the car but the driver. Everyone left the courtroom, declaring the car not guilty, and drove politely again, for a little while.
Writing
Entire script in AABB rhyme scheme—aggressively committed bit.
Director
Clyde Geronimi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during America's post-war highway boom and rising auto fatalities, this was Disney's contribution to the safety education wave—corporate-sponsored morality with googly eyes.
Thurl Ravenscroft, voice of the highway designer, is better known as Tony the Tiger and the singer of 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch'—truly the voice of mid-century authoritative warmth.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
