I agree with the last reviewer, this is one goofy film, and produced by MGM's B unit on a slim budget. It's also has to be one of the best comedy slash mysteries of the 30s, well directed by veteran Harry Beaumont, who began a long career in silent films. Beaumont got what he wanted from this crew and it shows, lead by hilarious Charlie Ruggles, the master of one-liners. It's a lost heiress story, and just right for Depression era audiences, as over-worked and presumably underpaid switchboard operator Mary Carlisle is the long missing daughter of a multi-millionaire. The luck we all dream about, right? Her co-worker and best friend is none other than kooky Una Merkel, and you have to admit, who else better to become her boyfriend than Ruggles. What a couple they make.
The first half of the story is rather predictable as Carlisle is "discovered" via fingerprints, and finally meeting her businessman father, played by wise, old Burtin Chruchill, who was cast in so many of these type of roles. Then the fun really begins. Beaumont throws everything into this mad adventure as the gang becomes stranded in a passenger car, which is cleverly cut loose from the rest of a speeding train bound for New York City. Comes a creepy, mysterious voice, claiming the car is loaded with explosives and its just a matter of time before the end! This you have to see as the car winds the tracks, burning through a train station, all the while another train attempts to catch up to them. Extremely well produced for a low budget film, even with stock footage, turning out to be one heck of a roller coaster ride. NO kidding. And before all the madness, there's a stop-over where a gorilla gets loose from a circus and hops on board? The gorilla is obviously not real, but it's a funny gag sequence thrown in for kicks, remininiscent of the comedy schtick of the 20s and 30s. Why not?
Filmed partly at the train station in the small northern California town of Dunsmuir, close to the Oregon border. Why this particular spot was chosen (so far from Hollywood) remains a mystery, but its campy fun nevertheless. The on location scouts must have had an unlimited budget. Jittery hero Charlie Ruggles and Una Merkel are the whole show, premier scene stealers, even from the gorilla. By the way, the supporting cast is excellent, all the familiar character actors of the time, including stone face Porter Hall.
Thanks to TCM for re-running this little gem, and it's out on dvd in a neat box with some additional features and cartoons thrown in for good measure.
We all miss Charlie Ruggles, a real well meaning stooge if there ever was one.
The first half of the story is rather predictable as Carlisle is "discovered" via fingerprints, and finally meeting her businessman father, played by wise, old Burtin Chruchill, who was cast in so many of these type of roles. Then the fun really begins. Beaumont throws everything into this mad adventure as the gang becomes stranded in a passenger car, which is cleverly cut loose from the rest of a speeding train bound for New York City. Comes a creepy, mysterious voice, claiming the car is loaded with explosives and its just a matter of time before the end! This you have to see as the car winds the tracks, burning through a train station, all the while another train attempts to catch up to them. Extremely well produced for a low budget film, even with stock footage, turning out to be one heck of a roller coaster ride. NO kidding. And before all the madness, there's a stop-over where a gorilla gets loose from a circus and hops on board? The gorilla is obviously not real, but it's a funny gag sequence thrown in for kicks, remininiscent of the comedy schtick of the 20s and 30s. Why not?
Filmed partly at the train station in the small northern California town of Dunsmuir, close to the Oregon border. Why this particular spot was chosen (so far from Hollywood) remains a mystery, but its campy fun nevertheless. The on location scouts must have had an unlimited budget. Jittery hero Charlie Ruggles and Una Merkel are the whole show, premier scene stealers, even from the gorilla. By the way, the supporting cast is excellent, all the familiar character actors of the time, including stone face Porter Hall.
Thanks to TCM for re-running this little gem, and it's out on dvd in a neat box with some additional features and cartoons thrown in for good measure.
We all miss Charlie Ruggles, a real well meaning stooge if there ever was one.