Supertrain (1979– )

The adventures of a nation-spanning train and its passengers.

Creators:

Earl W. Wallace, Donald E. Westlake

Stars:

Edward Andrews, Harrison Page, Robert Alda

Cast

Series cast summary:
Edward Andrews	...	Harry Flood (9 episodes, 1979)
Harrison Page	...	George Boone (9 episodes, 1979)
Robert Alda	...	Dr. Dan Lewis (9 episodes, 1979)
Patrick Collins	...	Dave Noonan (5 episodes, 1979)
Nita Talbot	...	Rose Casey (5 episodes, 1979)
Aarika Wells	...	Gilda (5 episodes, 1979)
Bill Nuckols	...	Wally (5 episodes, 1979)
Michael Delano	...	Lou Atkins (5 episodes, 1979)
Charlie Brill	...	Robert (5 episodes, 1979)

Storyline

Zooming from one end of America to another, "Supertrain" is a vision of railroading of the future. The super-train, equipped with restaurants, pools, spas, theaters, etc., delivers passengers to wherever they're going. In "Love Boat"-type style, each week's guest passengers have their problems to resolve before the end of their trip.

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Plot Keywords:

passenger | train | television flop | murder | train ride | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 February 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Supertren

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dan Curtis Productions, National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It's been said that the failure of this show, along with the US boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics (which NBC was supposed to cover), nearly bankrupted NBC.

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Goofs

When the train leaves the station, the platform light fixtures are reflected in the train windows. They move along with the train because the train is standing still and the camera is moving.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Master Ninja I (1992)

User Reviews

Too bad NBC didn't get it right

Supertrain looked like it had potential but NBC screwed it up big time. I remember seeing promos with train racing out of the Grand central tunnel all the time and watching Express to Terror then it disappeared. If NBC hadn't rushed it through production and let the writers make decent material it might have lasted longer. I wish someone would bring it back and get it right this time. Retooling a show is usually a death sentence for it. Why did they change things after three episodes? If your gonna spend that kind of money on a show you have better keep at it until it works. NBC put all their effect into getting the effects to look realistic but never tried to fix all scripts before any were filmed. I am guessing most of the screenplays were first or second draft versions.