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This Was Pacific Electric - A Complete History on DVD by Sky City ProductionsThis Was Pacific Electric tells the entire story of Southern California's famous RED CARS. Beginning in 1874 with the first horse car, this wonderful production follows the P.E. from its glory days in the 20's, into the depression of the 30's, through a resurrection in the war years and on to its final demise in 1961. But this documentary tells an even bigger story. Produced in cooperation with the world famous Huntington Library, This Was Pacific Electric explains the interweaving of this famous railway and the development of Southern California -- Five counties that became what they are today because the RED CARS of the PE. The story is told through historical film and hundreds of still pictures. It contains interviews with historians, those who worked on the railway, and those who simply remember the days when you could travel anywhere in Southern California by electric rail.
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tvd review on 2007-09-25 09:41:26.
People who found this review helpful: 4 Wow! This is an extremely well done presentation on the COMPLETE history of the PE. Covers everything from the early days of Los Angeles to the abandonment and after. Whether you're familiar with the Pacific Electric or not, I'm sure you'll find this very entertaining. A lot of content came from the Transit Gloria Mundi's 3 DVD set of Pacific Electric content. Some of the content came from the world class Huntington museum, library and gardens in San Marino.
The best part is something that looks like it was just thrown in as an extra. To me it alone would be worth having. The camera follows a VERY passionate and knowledgeable "foamer" around current day LA showing us areas where the Red Cars ran and what they look like now including little artifacts of what is still there and in some cases buried (I never heard of the term "track crack" until now).
It's guaranteed you won't be disappointed with this one! Arty (Sydney, Australia) on 2012-07-20 17:14:44.
People who found this review helpful: 2
A marvelous DVD showing the beginings through to the end of "The Big Red Cars". Very well researched and produced with an excellent commentary on an era largely forgotten. The DVD takes both a nostalgic and pragmatic look at the Pacific Electric's rise and fall, and looks at the people who created and evolved the system, interviews with those who operated the "big red cars" and those riding them plus the communities served.
There is an excellent bonus sequence taking a tour of present day hints of the old Pacific Electric routes and pointing out telltale signs of what once was from track cracks in pavement to "ancient" advertising signs showing through faded modern paintwork, from rusting bolts on buildings that held aloft the electric cables to modern building alignments still respecting the old right-of-ways.
It is a DVD to be enjoyed over and over. Tom T (Rochester,NY) on 2011-09-05 12:04:11.
People who found this review helpful: 1
The world needs more videos like this--it is entertaining and very informative because it gives the detailed history of a great lost system and does not feature endless run-bys.
One gets to know how and why Pacific Electric was created,what it did for the develpment of Southern California and why it disappeared.The bonus feature describes the sad remains that would be difficult to find by your own travels. Sea2Sea (Illinois) on 2011-09-01 11:54:58.
People who found this review helpful: 1
Really excellent video.Will be looking for more. Sky King (North Reading, Ma) on 2011-08-16 13:21:52.
People who found this review helpful: 1
This video should be required viewing of all transportation administrators and planners in and around the greater Los Angles area.
It is possible to return to your roots. Joe Moreno (Watsonville, CA) on 2012-10-08 21:59:23.
The video brought back old memories of my youth. I was born and raised in L.A. and the Red Cars and buses were part of my daily life. Also the Yellow cars and buses. You could go all over Southern California in the Red Cars and I did. Too bad the system is not still here. We could have saved so much money if we had.
Loved it. Will look over your list and look for more. Jerryj107 (Philadelphia, PA) on 2012-08-31 13:13:29.
Very interesting program. Today with the herrendous traffic problems they have in Calif. they should have never done away with this mode of transportation but upgraded it.
To do so now would be cost prohibitive. Bill (Gig Harbor WA) on 2012-08-31 12:57:59.
I was impressed by this video. I actually learned a lot more than I already knew about the Pacific Electric. I recommend it for any traction fan. Howard (Cumming, GA) on 2011-09-02 09:08:20.
Great for train lovers, better for history lovers! Bruce Stockbridge (Little Rock, AR.) on 2011-09-01 13:51:55.
Footage that was incredibly done from the earlier days of the big red cars....!!!
I had the fortune to be able to ride on the very last car to Riverside and back to Glendale....! |
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