Last Train from Bombay (1952)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Fred F. Sears

Writer:

Robert Libott (writer)

Release Date:

August 1952 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure

Plot Keywords:

Railway | Train

Cast

Jon Hall	...	Martin Viking
Christine Larsen	...	Mary Anne Palmer
Lisa Ferraday	...	Charlane
Douglas Kennedy	...	Brian O'Hara
Michael Fox	...	Capt. Tamil
Donna Martell	...	Nawob's daughter
Matthew Boulton	...	Col. Frederick Palmer
James Fairfax	...	Alfie - the Bartender
Gregory Gaye	...	B. Vornin aka The Lame One
Ken Terrell	...	Ceylonese Assassin
Frederic Berest	...	Ceylonese
Barry Brooks	...	Porter

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Esskay Pictures Corporation

Goofs:

Continuity: At one point the diplomat steals a Beechcraft Model 18 from an alleged Indian airport. All the aircraft on the flightline are American models wearing U.S. N-registrations and the airport is obviously in Southern California due to the mountains and eucalyptus trees visible. The Beech he commandeers is a civilianized ex-USAAF AT-11 Kansan with the former bombardier glazed nose faired over with metal. Once airborne, the Beech shown is a round-nosed C-45 model. When the actor leaves the cockpit to bail out, another sideview of the C-45 shows a pilot still in the pilot's position.

O.K. Film for Some

This is a film that has resurfaced after 40 years of being stored somewhere. Unless one is a devoted film buff one will likely recognize no-one in the film. Even Jon Hall who made a big splash in 1937 in "Hurricane" is not easily recognized in this 1952 film.

It is a story of an American diplomat who uncovers a plot to kill an important Indian prince (when Indian princes mattered!) by blowing up his train. There are a couple of killings for which the diplomat is blamed, thus preventing him from approaching the police for help. There are a few twists and turns but the film is rather standard.

There are a number of incongruities in the film which will be noticed by many viewers - the film was quite obviously done inexpensively and it shows in the script and much of the scenery. It fits with Ronald Reagan's comment: "They didn't want it good. They wanted it Tuesday." Don't make a point of trying to see it, but if it's on and you want to pass 75 minutes it is probably entertaining enough.