On the DC8-50 I was familiar with the blue light indicated start valve open and the buttons were pushed to start and originally latched in and released automatically at 35% N2. Some operators eventually deactivated the hold-in circuit due to reliability issues with the centrifugal switch in the starter which required the button to be held in manually. Last DC8 start I performed circa 1976/77 I had to hold the buttons in manually.
Agree with Metro man about The Pilot. Only aviation movie I recall that used real checklists etc.
All DC8's I serviced started 3,4,2,1 as hydraulic pumps were on inboards only however one could always pressurize the hydraulics with the electric aux pump and start in any order if you wanted too.