JohnHowardReid Review of The Signal Tower

The Signal Tower (1924)

Well produced, enjoyable railroad drama featuring villainous Wallace Beery

[7/10 · 24 July 2015]

Here's Wallace Beery up to no good, but looking very dashing anyway as a well-dressed if drink-sodden railway worker who has designs on his colleague's wife. The lovely Virginia Valli (who retired from movies whist she was still a number one star in 1931) is the lady in question, while Rockliffe Fellowes, who quickly slipped into minor roles with the coming of sound, is hero of the day. Also in the heroic mold here is young Frankie Darro, who has a major role which he plays with his usual assurance despite the fact that he was then only six or seven years old. Clarence Brown, of all people (this movie seems way removed from the stylish, prestigious, big money subjects with which he was usually involved), directed very competently, but, aside from maybe three or four scenes, without his usual touch. A well preserved, tinted print of this movie is available on an Alpha DVD.