Synopsis
Rusty, a spy from Mars, visits Earth and finds its inhabitants disrespecting one another by driving badly; a 1959 animated safety film with a Christian message that reckless driving is a sin, directed by Mel Emde.
Synopsis, reviewed
Details
- Running time
- 9 minutes
Reviews on the Internet Archive
★★★★ · Late 50's (Space) Oddity · Wilford B. Wolf · 2003-04-27
The basic plot line of this film, of a Martian observer making comments our driving habits, would be taken up again, and done better, in the Canadian National Film Board classic "Out Of This World!". What this film does have going for it is a great sound track by jazz legend Art Blakey and the weird late 50's minimalist animation style, reminiscant of Gene Deitch and Columbia Animation. The religious overtones, especially when coupled with the basic plot, just adds to the weirdness.
★★★★ · Correction to Initial Description: · Steve Oswalt · 2003-05-01
The initial description to this film says: "The film espouses a Christian viewpoint on safety, stating that 'reckless driving is a sin.'" This film may, or may not, expouse a Christian viewpoint, but saying "reckless driving is a sin" doesn't automatically insure the film has a Christian viewpoint. Many, if not most, of the world's religions include the concept of sin, not just Christianity.
★★★★ · Theme song not by Britney Spears · Spuzz · 2005-06-22
The up-til-now unrealized mixture of Religious film and car-safety film is featured in this film, and this film is developed so well you gotta wonder why this type of film wasn't thought of before or since. Such lines as "Thou Shalt Not Kill" and "Do Unto others as you would do yourself" are well adapted here for the highway. The story is somewhat hokey (alien visits earth, trained on eatch mannerisms and religion to find out people don't practice what they preach. Animation is simple, but it's The Message that's important, and I gotta say it worked for me! Reccomended!
★★★★ · Weak, but super cool · spikesbidness · 2010-01-12
This piece, while it's story is a little weak, and it's message a little too over the top in some places, is still super cool with it's simple animation, and great score by Art Blakely.
★★★★ · What would drive Jesus ... er ... Rusty? · Steve Nordby · 2003-08-20
This surprisingly entertaining stylized 1950's Christian (Methodist) car-toon promotes the environment, cooperation, and tolerance. Obviously not a product of the "Christian right".
★★★★ · Was Art Blakey a Methodist? · piquant00 · 2015-06-14
Was Art Blakey a Methodist? I don't know, nor do I particularly care one way or the other, but the soundtrack of this little animated film is very enjoyable. The music remains long after one has forgotten the simplistic religious message.
