Driving under the influence


At one point Van Heflin's character pretends to be drunk when he picks up a woman in the bar, and starts driving her toward Isabel's apartment. At one point she says, "Keep driving -- remember, you are in no condition to walk." My, how society's attitudes (as reflected by Hollywood) have changed in the past 60+ years toward the idea of allowing oneself to be driven in a car by someone who is obviously inebriated.

Life's a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!

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I don't think it was ever exactly acceptable driving while intoxicated, but the laws have simply become much tougher. And that has as much to do with more cars on the road at all hours, driving faster than they ever have before, creating increased opportunities for fatal road accidents. As to the line you quoted, I think the blonde was being ironic. If Van Heflin's character had been recklessly driving, it's doubtful she'd have put up with it. She was a tough cookie.

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