A 49 Mile Scenic Drive: SFMTA Staff Comes to the Big Screen

Photo courtesy of Lemia Bodden

SFMTA staff comes to the big screen this weekend in the world premiere showing of the 49 Mile Scenic Drive during the 61st San Francisco International Film Festival. The 10-minute short film is the compelling and amusing story behind one of San Francisco's most visually arresting signposts and the design change that tarnishes a legacy. Showings will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 8 and 7:30 p.m., April 15 at the Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Street in the Mission. Tickets are $16 for general admission and $15 for students/seniors, and can be purchased online through sffilm.org.

The 49-Mile Scenic Drive is a designated scenic road tour highlighting much of San Francisco. It was created in 1938 by the San Francisco Down Town Association to showcase the city's major attractions and natural beauty during the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. In 1954, the Down Town Association held a contest to design a new sign to mark the route, offering the winner a $100 prize. Local artist Rex May submitted the winning entry, a seagull in profile on a sky blue background with white and orange text. The signs have proved a popular target for theft and many portions of the route are unsigned. The SFMTA, which manages the signs, attempts to replace them as needed.

Bay Area-based directors Bradley Smith and Tyler McPherron have used archival footage along with Rex May's illustrious screen prints and modern design to take audiences on a whirlwind journey through the streets of San Francisco. The film begs the question: does one street sign really matter?

With as many twists and turns as Lombard Street, this video delivers history with humor. It exhibits film's power to create change, no matter how small. And it might just tug a heartstring or two. The film has been nominated for a Golden Gate Award.