Just happened to notice that its being broadcast on Turner Classic Movies tonight. The bad news is that it starts at 3:00am Central Time . . . so start a pot of coffee or set the VCR. "Danger Lights" is a 1930 starring people I never heard of. The plot is described in one place as: "A railroad boss's girlfriend falls in love with an engineer", and in another as "The tough boss of a railroad yard befriends a young hobo, and unwittingly places in jeopardy his relationship with the woman he loves" It's also been said to be the "World's Greatest Railroad Talk Thriller"
Hi Greg- It's a fun movie. The plot seems a little corny by today's "standards." How the dispatcher panics at the beginning is humorous. But I do have a copy! Milw fans get to see many different locations on the Rocky Mountain Division. Plus a couple east of that area. Eagle Nest Tunnel and the trestle. Miles City Passenger Station. And Miles City Yard when it was booming. There are two versions of the movie. One is slightly longer. It seems to me that the longer one has more length to the opening scene where the loco is coming at the camera head on. (Pushing a flat car w/film crew.) BoxcabE50
You are correct Boxcad, I have both versions. The old one was recorded from film, and the one that is airing on TV now was edited to fit the time space. There are quite a number of clips taken out, that were declared non-essential to the viewing public. I like the long version better, but then I am very patient, and I just love steam engines, and the 1930's in particular, since I grew up back then. It is a delightful, corny old show. Do pay attention to the clothes and old cars and furniture. I think you will also enjoy the things you can see around the engines and shops, if you have pause motion, and use it to look around some.
Watash- I have paused my copy. And there is plenty to see. One humorous note, the way the RR took advantage of advertising itself. There are Milw logos everywhere. On coveralls, locos, etc. Love the opening scene with that steamer. One time, I hooked the VCR to my stereo. Wow. That thing is really barking up a storm! Sounds fantastic! BoxcabE50
There was another movie like this named "Ghost Lights" also made in the early 30's, about trains being wrecked when rounding a down grade curve, engineers were suddenly faced with an oncoming train's headlight right in their face and he instinctively dumped his air and slammed the Johnny Bar in reverse! Of course that brought all his cars down on top of him! There was no oncoming train ever found. If you see this movie on TCM or PBS, record it, and see if you can figure out what caused the wrecks, it is quite exciting!
One more golden train oldie that I watched on TCM. It's called "Other Men's Women" and it dates from 1931. I am pretty sure it was filmed in SoCal on The SP(?). I ignored the dialogue and spent most of the movie watching all of the background action. Mark
Is this "TCM" you've mentioned Turner Classic Movies? If anyone spots a listing that these will be on, especially Danger Lights, please post a date so we can all join in the fun! BoxcabE50
