July 19, 1957 – The Special Short Film The Story of Anyburg, U.S.A is Released to Theaters
“This is the story of a certain city, and what it did about this common curse that plagued the land.”
On July 19, 1957, the special short film The Story of Anyburg U.S.A. was released to theaters. It was directed by Clyde Geronimi, with story by Dick Huemer. The short stars the voices of Hans Conried, Thurl Ravenscroft, and Bill Thompson.
The narrator takes the audience to Anyburg, U.S.A, where the traffic situation, he explains, is normal enough. However, a feeling of dissatisfaction was growing among residents when it came to their traffic troubles. The residents decide to take their blame to court, and charge the automobile for the traffic crimes. An automobile witness starts to shake when the prosecution starts grilling it, and the judge tries to hurry things along, as his golf clubs are seen hiding under his chair. The first car is blamed for speeding into a restaurant and destroying the place, and surprisingly, the defense has no questions. The next witness is a sports car, blamed for guzzling gas and burning rubber on the road. Once again, the defense has no questions.
The safety experts vow that they have made several safety modifications to the automobile, but to no avail
A dilapidated old car is called next, and brought to tears by the prosecution, although the defense again has no questions. The men who build safe car parts (safety glass, safety tires, etc.) then testify, stating that although they have built such devices, accidents continue to occur at an alarming rate. The jury is then convinced that the automobile has to go. Next on the stand is Mr. Sirus P. Sliderule from the Bureau of Highways, who starts to cry once he talks about how, although he leveled hills, put up signs, and painted lines, the automobile made his beautiful highway a complete mess. The prosecution rests his case, and the defense finally speaks. He shows the audience footage of a speeding car, but proves that the man is the real culprit behind the accidents and problems on the road. He gets the judge to dismiss the case, and the people finally admit their guilt, vowing to drive with decency and courtesy – although this only lasts about two seconds.
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