Traffic Regulations: An Odd, Earnest Look at Old NYC Rules

Okay, so Traffic Regulations isn't exactly a blockbuster, and honestly, it's not for everyone. If you're into old-school, slightly quirky civic shorts that tried to make rules sound exciting, you might find a weird, nostalgic charm here. But if you're looking for a plot or even just a good laugh, you'll probably be pretty bored. 😴

The whole thing stars Donald Ogden Stewart as 'Citizen Stewart,' which is already a bit much, isn't it? He's tasked with showing off the new traffic rules in New York City. And he does try, bless his heart.

Stewart stands there, very proper, gesturing at these *visual aids*. What are these aids, you ask? Mostly charts and diagrams. Sometimes it looks like a small, flat car cutout on a map. Very high-tech for the era, I'm sure, but now it’s just… quaint.

There's this one shot where he points to a diagram of a street intersection with such intense earnestness, you almost expect fireworks. He really wants you to understand the new one-way street system. You can practically hear him thinking, 'This is important stuff, people!'

The pacing is super deliberate. Every point about turning signals or pedestrian crossings gets its moment to shine. It feels less like a film and more like a very serious lecture. A very, very slow lecture.

It’s clear the movie wants you to believe these changes are a **huge deal**. The way Stewart pronounces 'regulations' and 'administration' makes them sound like the greatest innovations of the age. You can almost feel the film trying to convince you this matters more than it actually does.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Traffic Regulations (1929) through its definitive frames.

My favorite moment, maybe, is when he demonstrates how to signal a turn with his arm. It's so formal, so precise. Like a dance move that no one ever actually performed in traffic, not even back then, I bet. You just know some poor New Yorker in a Model T was like, 'Yeah, right, I’m doing that.'

The streets themselves in the visual aids have this oddly empty feeling. Like half the cars wandered off. Or maybe traffic really was that sparse? It makes the 'regulations' feel a little over-the-top for the actual volume of vehicles.

One reaction shot of Stewart lingers so long after he explains a particularly obvious rule, it almost becomes funny. He just stares at the camera, waiting for it to sink in, I guess. It’s like he’s challenging you to disagree.

It’s hard to judge this one like a regular movie. It’s a historical artifact, really. A glimpse into how a city tried to bring order to its growing chaos, delivered with a very straight face. You won't find deep characters or a thrilling plot, obviously. It’s a very specific kind of documentary, almost propaganda.

So, is it worth watching? Only if you have a niche interest in early 20th-century urban planning or if you just really, really love Donald Ogden Stewart. Otherwise, you can probably skip this particular trip down memory lane. 🚦

Didja notice?

• Stewart's tie is impeccably knotted. Every single frame.
• The diagrams sometimes look like they were drawn with a ruler and a very thick pencil.
• Not a single actual moving car is shown, just still images and drawings.
• He uses the phrase 'public safety' at least three times, very solemnly.
• The film ends rather abruptly, like they just ran out of regulations to explain.