Drunk Driving

John Jones (Dick Purcell) is a man who is going places with his job. After learning about about his promotion, he and a co-worker go out for some drinks. On his way home, he's cited by a cop for driving under the influence. However, this warning means little and Jones just chalks it up to being a mistake. A short time later, Jones again has a few drinks and drives--but this time it all ends in tragedy.

This is one of many episodes of the MGM series "Crime Does Not Pay". For the most part, they're very good short films with a strong anti-crime message. Occasionally, like in "Drunk Driving" they might come off as a bit heavy-handed--but it is still quite effective and well made. Plus, hopefully some folks might have seen this and actually learned from it.

UPDATE: I bought the Crime Does Not Pay DVD collection and re-watched this particular Oscar-nominated short. I actually thought it was better and more effective when I re-watched it. I originally gave this one a 6 but feel I was a bit hasty. I think an 8 is more appropriate. Sadly, however, films like this probably have done little, if anything, to curtail drunk driving, as drunk drivers are too selfish and deluded to believe it can happen to them.

And, by the way, Purcell's acting was just terrific and very effective as the boob who thought he could drink and drive.