The Ghost Train (1941 film)
| The Ghost Train | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Detail Spanish theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Walter Forde |
| Written by | Marriott Edgar (dialogue) Val Guest (dialogue) J.O.C. Orton (writer) |
| Produced by | Edward Black |
| Starring | Arthur Askey Richard Murdoch |
| Cinematography | Jack E. Cox |
| Edited by | R.E. Dearing |
| Music by | Walter Goehr |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Ghost Train is a 1941 British mystery thriller film directed by Walter Forde based on the 1923 play of the same name written by Arnold Ridley.[1][2]
Plot
Tommy Gander (Arthur Askey), a vaudeville comedian, pulls the communication cord on a GWR express train, bringing it to a stop so he can retrieve his hat. Returning to the train, he escapes an angry conductor by ducking into a compartment occupied by attractive blonde Jackie Winthrop (Carole Lynne), with whom Gander flirts. Another passenger, Teddy (Richard Murdoch), has his eye on Jackie as well, but her companion Richard Winthrop (Peter Murray-Hill) ejects both of them from the compartment.
When the train stops at Fal Vale Junction, Cornwall, these four get off to change trains, as do Herbert (Stuart Latham) and his fiancée Edna (Betty Jardine), spinster Miss Bourne (Kathleen Harrison), and the tippling Dr. Sterling (Morland Graham). However, the stationmaster, Saul Hodgkin (Herbert Lomas) tells them the last Truro-bound train has gone, and that they cannot remain at the station, as he is locking up for the night. The passengers insist on staying, as it is raining heavily and the nearest village is four miles away.
Hodgkin warns them the station is haunted. A branch line once crossed the river on a swing bridge close to the station. One night 43 years ago, then stationmaster Ted Holmes had a fatal heart attack while attempting to close the bridge, causing a train to plunge into the river. Ever since, a phantom train has been heard periodically on the abandoned track. It is said to kill anyone who looks upon it.
With that, he reluctantly leaves them. As the passengers make themselves as comfortable as they can, they hear footsteps outside. Richard opens the door, and Hodgkin collapses into the room. Dr. Sterling pronounces him dead. Later, a terrified young woman in black (Linden Travers) appears. She, Julia, pleads for help, saying that someone is pursuing her. A car spins off the road and crashes into a tree. The driver is unhurt, but his car is damaged. Back in the waiting room, he introduces himself as John Price (Raymond Huntley) and explains that he is searching for his sister Julia, who he says suffers from delusions. Julia protests that he is lying. Price further explains that she thought she had seen the ghost train, and became obsessed with it ever since. The passengers tell him that Hodgkin has died. When Price insists on seeing the body, they discover it has mysteriously vanished.
Price leaves to arrange transportation. Then an approaching train is heard. As it thunders past, Julia smashes a window to look at it, then screams and faints. They hear singing from the nearby railway tunnel mouth. Julia claims that Ben Isaacs (D. J. Williams), the sole survivor of the accident, is coming back. Teddy shoots at the "ghost", causing it to flee back into the tunnel, leaving behind a bloodstained cloth.
Teddy shows the others the cloth and orders the others, at gunpoint, to stay put until the police arrive, but Richard punches him, knocking him out. The passengers carry him to the bus Price has obtained. When Teddy comes to, he is furious with Richard, as now there will be no one to intercept the train on its return journey. When Gander remarks that he had returned the bridge to the open position, Dr. Sterling suddenly orders the bus driver to stop, while his confederate, Price, produces his own gun. Sterling orders the driver to turn back so they can warn the train.
Meanwhile, guns are being loaded aboard the "ghost train"; a very much alive Hodgkin flags the train off and climbs aboard. Teddy explains that the train is really being used by Nazi Fifth Columnists to secretly transport arms. While Price heads down the embankment with Julia and the driver to try to stop the train, Teddy knocks Sterling out and gains control of the situation. The train plunges into the river.
Cast
- Arthur Askey as Tommy Gander
- Richard Murdoch as Teddy Deakin
- Kathleen Harrison as Miss Bourne
- Peter Murray-Hill as R. G. Winthrop
- Carole Lynne as Jackie Winthrop
- Morland Graham as Dr. Sterling
- Betty Jardine as Edna
- Stuart Latham as Herbert
- Herbert Lomas as Saul Hodgkin
- Raymond Huntley as Price
- Linden Travers as Julia Price
- D. J. Williams as Ben Isaacs
Production
The play had been filmed before most recently with Jack Hulbert. The Askey version was announced in August 1939.[3] Carol Reed was at one stage announced as director.[4] Eventually the job went to Walter Forde. Filming began in February 1941.[5]
Reception
TV Guide noted the film was "good for a few laughs and a couple of chilling surprises."[6]
Soundtrack
- Arthur Askey – "The Seaside Band" (Written by Kenneth Blain) – (UK DECCA F 9944 10" 78 rpm shellac PICTURE LABELS)[7]
References
- ^ "The Ghost Train | BFI | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
- ^ "Arnold Ridley". Bristol.ac.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
- ^ "FAMILY ARGUMENT". The Maitland Daily Mercury. No. 21, 321. New South Wales, Australia. 16 August 1939. p. 3. Retrieved 3 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ ""ONWARD AND UPWARD!"". Smith's Weekly. Vol. XXII, , no. 45. New South Wales, Australia. 4 January 1941. p. 19. Retrieved 3 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ "BRITAIN MAKES THRILLERS AND COMEDIES". The Newcastle Sun. No. 7216. New South Wales, Australia. 1 February 1941. p. 5. Retrieved 3 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Ghost Train Trailer, Reviews and Schedule for The Ghost Train | TVGuide.com". Movies.tvguide.com. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
- ^ "RARE ARTHUR ASKEY PICTURE LABEL 78 "THE SEASIDE BAND /ZEBRA SONG" DECCA F9944 E". CollectorsFrenzy. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
External links