Predominantly, a light-hearted railroad "eastern", much like Cecil de Milles' "Union Pacific", of 1939, except shot in color. Includes constant friction between Reed Loomis(Forrest Tucker), of the pre-Civil War Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad and Kirby Morrow(Bruce Cabot), representing rival steamboat interests, during the early years of this rail line, when it was building track across Illinois to Rock Island, and then a bridge across the Mississippi, to Davenport and beyond. We have a couple of incidences involving Native Americans, one featured in the climax, with many Sioux(presumably)attacking the moving and stationary train, with bows and arrows, mainly. Eventually, another horde of Native Americans(presumably, Sioux-hating Sauk) arrive and create quite a chaotic scene. About half way through the film, a woman(Lorna Gray, as Aleeta)shows up, speaking Parisian French, but claiming she is the granddaughter of the Sauk peace chief. When going to visit her Sauk friends, she dons her Sauk outfit.
Much of the general background of the plot is based on history. The CRIP railway began in 1851, and this story evidently takes place 5-6 years later. The current financial panic of 1857 is mentioned, as affecting the financing of rail expansion.
There's plenty of action dispersed between the romantic and business talk scenes. Tucker, along with Chill Wills(as Hogger), provide most of the humor., and mainly at the expense of Morrow or his henchmen. It's soon pretty clear that Reed(Tucker) will steal the choice female(Adele Mara, as Constance Strong from Morrow. She is the daughter of David Strong, apparently the chief financier of the railroad, whom we meet periodically.
Some episodes I don't much understand. For example, under the cover of darkness, Morrow sneaks on a boat loaded with cotton and fuels, and detaches its mooring, starting a fire. Meanwhile, Reed swims out to the boat and climbs aboard to fight with Morrow. Eventually , flames are leaping all around them , Morrow jumps overboard before Reed, when explosions begin to disintegrate the boat. It is now close to the bridge, and destroys part of it so it cannot be repaired. This followed by a court case, in which the railroad is represented by Abe Lincoln, based on a historical happening. Lincoln often represented a railroad in litigation.
You have to see the "duel" between Reed and Morrow occasioned by a remark by Reed that Morrow took offense to. Reed gets the choice of weapon. He chooses a pair of nearby soaking mops. The ensuing fight, in a restaurant, is quite funny.
Several times, a song, apparently titled " The Rock Island Train" is sung, beginning with a barbershop quartet, with Adele chiming in. She started her entertainment career very young, as a singer and dancer.
It's nice to see Forrest Tucker in the Hero's role. In my experience, he was usually cast as a villain. He did a good job.
Available in color at YouTube
Much of the general background of the plot is based on history. The CRIP railway began in 1851, and this story evidently takes place 5-6 years later. The current financial panic of 1857 is mentioned, as affecting the financing of rail expansion.
There's plenty of action dispersed between the romantic and business talk scenes. Tucker, along with Chill Wills(as Hogger), provide most of the humor., and mainly at the expense of Morrow or his henchmen. It's soon pretty clear that Reed(Tucker) will steal the choice female(Adele Mara, as Constance Strong from Morrow. She is the daughter of David Strong, apparently the chief financier of the railroad, whom we meet periodically.
Some episodes I don't much understand. For example, under the cover of darkness, Morrow sneaks on a boat loaded with cotton and fuels, and detaches its mooring, starting a fire. Meanwhile, Reed swims out to the boat and climbs aboard to fight with Morrow. Eventually , flames are leaping all around them , Morrow jumps overboard before Reed, when explosions begin to disintegrate the boat. It is now close to the bridge, and destroys part of it so it cannot be repaired. This followed by a court case, in which the railroad is represented by Abe Lincoln, based on a historical happening. Lincoln often represented a railroad in litigation.
You have to see the "duel" between Reed and Morrow occasioned by a remark by Reed that Morrow took offense to. Reed gets the choice of weapon. He chooses a pair of nearby soaking mops. The ensuing fight, in a restaurant, is quite funny.
Several times, a song, apparently titled " The Rock Island Train" is sung, beginning with a barbershop quartet, with Adele chiming in. She started her entertainment career very young, as a singer and dancer.
It's nice to see Forrest Tucker in the Hero's role. In my experience, he was usually cast as a villain. He did a good job.
Available in color at YouTube