You Can't Stop on a Dime (1954) User Reviews

Short, simple classroom film

[Hessian499 · 22 August 2004]

You Can't Stop On A Dime teaches the lesson of its title, in that a police officer and various teachers show kids how long it takes cars and bikes to stop, and also how to avoid getting in driver's blindspots while walking down and/or crossing the street. Obviously made on a limited budget, but since this is a movie for kids and not a theatrical release this is not a problem. This film, while 50 years old, could still be shown today and kids would learn some lessons about traffic safety from it. Producer Sid Davis made many films like this in the 1950s and 60s, and this one is a good example of how he taught kids a valuable lesson on a shoestring budget. One interesting aspect of the film is that the playground of the school is enormous - seems like almost an entire square mile of pavement for the kids to play on!

How Can You Pick It Up When You're Standing On It?

[boblipton · 5/10 · 27 June 2023]

This Sid Davis educational short is about stopping distance, when you're on foot, on a bicycle, or driving a car. Why is that important? Because if you're a pedestrian, you might get run over.

It makes its points surely and cleanly, but it's also clear that it was produced on a budget. Besides the usual cheerful, tweedly music that afflicts many of Davis' productions, and the cheerful, soporific the children seem very cheerful and attentive about sitting outside, watching cars trying to stop as rapidly as they can, lest they squish inattentive children into blood pudding. Obvious they have been told to pay attention. I hope they got more than an uncredited appearance for pretending to be interested.