The Phantom Express (1932)

To me, this movie is perfection.

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Producers: Irving C. Franklin, Donald M. Stoner. An Emory Johnson Production. Not copyrighted 1932 by Majestic Pictures Corp. New York opening at the Globe: 19 September 1932. U.S. release: 15 September 1932. U.K. release: 29 April 1933. 70 minutes. SYNOPSIS: A single-track line and a phantom express — recipes for disaster.VIEWER'S GUIDE: Just edging towards borderline. COMMENT: A fast-paced and intriguing mystery yarn with a spectacular railroad setting, "The Phantom Express: is guaranteed to lighten the hearts of both railway buffs and action fans alike. So many thrills in fact that the movie is more akin to a serial like Mascot's "The Hurricane Express:, released the same year. Director Johnson has handled this independent production with assurance, combining real and miniature footage effectively to deliver action all the way from start to spectacular finish. Superb film editing should also be commended. True, the picture does take a little time out for a nice romance between young hero Collier and the lovely Sally Blane. And also offers some opportunities for effective scene-stealing by Hobart Bosworth and J. Farrell MacDonald. But the gigantic steam engines here on display put even these fine old war-horses in the shade.

This film begins with what appears to be a model train going down the model tracks. However, at least it is a pretty good model train! Anyway, it's supposed to be a real one and an accident is caused when the headlamp of another train appears to be heading right for them—and the train derails trying to avoid it. However, it turns out there was no other train—it's some sort of trick. So, the playboy son of the railroad owner decides to go undercover to investigate.While this all might sound interesting, despite an interesting premise, the film really bogs down and shows that it's only a cheaply made film by a cheap-o studio. After all, the ending is just god-awful—with ridiculous stunts and an explanation of the mystery that made my brain hurt. I can clearly understand why this film was allowed to slip into the public domain—it's bad and there's little to recommend it.

Trains are being derailed along a particular line by a "phantom express" (or so the old drivers think). They see engine lights and hear train noises before their engines are derailed. Nobody else can see anything.William Collier Jnr.(from "Little Ceasar" (1930)) plays Bruce Harrington, the bosses son who wants a chance to prove his worth. He begs to be allowed to investigate the mystery of the train wrecks.J. Farrell MacDonald is outstanding as the old engine driver who is convinced something is up. The scene when he is sacked and comes home to his birthday party is very powerful. The emotion he gives to the scene where he is looking at his medals for bravery is very sad.The exquisitely beautiful Sally Blane plays his daughter Carolyn. One look at her across a desk and Bruce is willing to forgo his playboy lifestyle and work under cover at the railroad - it is not that hard to believe!!!!Claire McDowall, an original member of D.W. Griffith's stock company plays the mother. David Rollins was a handsome leading man in a few of the early sound musicals (he partnered Sue Carol in "The Breakaway") has the small part of the son Jackie. Lina Basquette was a Follies beauty and a star for Cecil B. DeMille (she starred in his "The Godless Girl") - she has a couple of fiery scenes as Betty, a girl friend of Bruce's. There is a ton of talent in this film - names that conjure up memories.This is an outstanding drama that was not at all predictable. How they solve the mystery of "The Phantom Express" is surprising and not what you would expect.

Without a doubt, The Phantom Express (1932) is my all-time favorite early talkie, railroad-themed movie. J.Farrel McDonald is outstanding as Smokey Nolan, the long-time engineer. I've seen a few other movies where McDonald plays a railroad-related part (e.g., with Victor McLaglen in The Broadway Limited) and it would appear that McDonald probably worked for the railroads prior to becoming a very good character actor as he played his parts with a great deal of ease and apparent intimate knowledge of the subject matter. Phantom Express was also very interesting from the standpoint that it was shot in live action, in/around LA and the Southern Pacific Railroad (including real shots of the SP boardroom at the old Central Station at 5th and Alameda), the SP Alhambra Roundhouse, Burbank Tower, etc. Also, the special effects modelling scenes were very much ahead of their time in terms of realism. All together, an excellent film of which I own several copies.