[Reprinted and expanded from the Spring 2000 issue of United to Win, the newsletter of the United Taxi Workers of America, Local 9410.]

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DON'T TRY THIS YOURSELF!
The Top Ten S.F. Car Chase Movies

by Carl Russo

Fellow cabbies: You say you've caught air racing down Gough Street to turn your cab in on time? Or maybe you've gunned it just before taking the drop down Jones to give the tourists an extra thrill. Slow it down, McQueen. The Man might be watching!

Let's cut to the chase with my list of the best car action flicks shot in San Francisco, taken from a survey of fifty films. The abbreviated codes beneath each title refer to the staple elements common to this genre. See key below for definitions. The films are rated on action, stunt danger, creativity, violence, length of scenes and overall excitement.


TOP TEN

1. What's Up, Doc? (1972)
   AIR, BAY, BIK, CAB, CC, CHI, LOM, STP
   
   
2. Light Blast (1985)
   AIR, BDG, CC, EXP
   
   
3. Bullitt (1968)
   AIR, CAB, CC, EXP, FC, FT
   
   
4. Metro (1997)
   AIR, BAY, CAB, CC, CHI, EXP, FT, RCC
   
   
5. Freebie and the Bean (1974)
   AIR, BDG, FT, MOT
   
   
6. The Rock (1996)
   AIR, BDG, CAB, CC, EXP, MOT, RCC, RK
   
   
7. Jade (1995)
   AIR, BAY, BDG, BIK, CHI, FT
   
   
8. Dragon Fight (1989)
   AIR, CAB, EXP, FT
   
   
9. Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965)
   BAY, CC, EXP, FT, GG, LOM, MOT, RCC
   
   
10. The Presidio (1998)
    AIR, EXP, FT, RK
    

HONORABLE MENTIONS

1. They Call Me MISTER Tibbs! (1970)
   CAB, CHI, COP, FT, GG
   
   
2. Foul Play (1978)
   AIR, BDG, CAB, CC, FT
   
   
3. Desperate Measures (1998)
   AIR, BDG, FT, MOT
   
   
4. A View to a Kill (1985)
   AIR, CAB, COP
   
   
5. Basic Instinct (1992)
   AIR

KEY

AIR = vehicle airborne over hills.
BAY = vehicle lands in San Francisco Bay.
BIK = bicycle chase.
BDG = vehicle crashes into building.
CAB = taxi cab figures in chase.
CC = cable car figures in chase.
CHI = chase through Chinatown parade.
EXP = vehicle explosion.
FC = foot chase.
GG = chase across the Golden Gate Bridge.
LOM = chase down crooked block of Lombard Street.
MOT = motorcycle chase.
RK = chase through a restaurant kitchen.
STP = chase down public steps.

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