Broadway Limited (1941)

Director:

Gordon Douglas

Writer:

Rian James (story)

Release Date:

13 June 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A publicity stunt staged on a train known as the Broadway Limited creates problems because of an unknown baby that was part of the stunt.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Baby | Actress | Director | Publicity Stunt

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Victor McLaglen	...	Maurice 'Mike' Monohan
Marjorie Woodworth	...	April Tremaine / Mary Potter
Dennis O'Keefe	...	Dr. Harvey North
Patsy Kelly	...	Patsy Riley
Zasu Pitts	...	Myra Prottle
Leonid Kinskey	...	Ivan Makail Ivanski
George E. Stone	...	Lefty
Gay Ellen Dakin	...	The Baby
Charles C. Wilson	...	Detective (as Charles Wilson)
John Sheehan	...	Train conductor
Edgar Edwards	...	State trooper
Eric Alden	...	State trooper
Sam McDaniel	...	Train Porter (as Sam McDaniels)

Also Known As:

The Baby Vanishes

Runtime:

75 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #7110) | Sweden:Btl

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Brief Summary and review of "Broadway Limited"

Plot Summary:

A Hollywood publicity stunt staged upon the Pennsylvania Railroads' once infamous Broadway Limited, from Chicago to Manhattan, goes awry when it is discovered that a baby involved is kidnapped. Much scurrying about and plenty of off the wall shenanigans ensue in this light-hearted Hollywood romp.

What I thought of it:

A typical period piece, that is both surprisingly enjoyable as well as accurate in it's portrayal of Pennsylvania Railroad locomotives and equipment and the track-side shots of the train taking nearly the same Route that Amtrak's Broadway limited still takes to this day.

If you are a rail-fan, you're bound to enjoy it. Otherwise it's enjoyable, just pretty bland by todays standards. I loved this movie, unfortunately it is extremely difficult to find. It can be purchased however through the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's gift shop, and several smaller online railroad merchandise retailers, you just have to have the patience to look around.

One more little side note: One of the Pennsylvania Railroad Locomotives #1223, a small 4-4-0 steam engine featured in "Broadway Limited", was re-dressed as a NYC locomotive and featured in the Beginning of Hello Dolly in 1969. That same locomotive was featured in a number of other TV shows and movies, and operated on the Pennsylvania Railroad until 1950. She then went on to operate on the Strasburg Railroad from the mid 60's until 1990 when she was retired and put on display at the Railroad museum of Pennsylvania where she still stands to this day.