Media Contact:
Morgan Lyons

February 9, 1999

"To Serve and Protect" airs Feb. 14 & 15 at 8 p.m.

DART train "saves" policewoman in new movie

DART's light rail trains appear in a number of scenes in NBC's new TV movie, "To Serve and Protect," starring Craig T. Nelson of the TV series "Coach", Richard Crenna, John Corbett and Joanna Cassidy. The film airs on KXAS-TV, Channel 5 this Sunday, February 14 and Monday, February 15 at 8:00 p.m.

"It's a story about three generations of police officers searching for a serial killer. The light rail cars are used in two important scenes in the movie," according to Roger Burke, Executive Director of the Dallas/Fort Worth Film Commission. "The producer integrated the trains into the film because they wanted people to recognize Dallas. In fact, the two agencies who helped us most were the Dallas Police Department and DART."

In one scene, the daring young policewoman leaps through the shadows and onto the train near Reunion Arena to escape the serial killer. In another, a detective boards the train at the Convention Center Station to see if she's okay. "The movie production didn't interfere with service, since all filming was done after hours," said DART Senior Manager of Rail Operations, Gerald Francis.

Professional actors appear in the film, for the most part. The exception is DART light rail operator Enrique Chairez.

"The trains are handsome, state-of-the-art vehicles. DART's light rail cars and Trinity Railway Express cars have appeared in fashion features, IMAX films and many commercials. We're always pleased to help," said DART Marketing & Communications Vice President Sue Bauman.

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