Danger Lights (1930)

The tough boss of a railroad yard befriends a young hobo, and unwittingly places in jeopardy his relationship with the woman he loves.

Director:

George B. Seitz

Writer:

James Ashmore Creelman (story and dialogue)

Stars:

Louis Wolheim, Jean Arthur, Robert Armstrong

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Louis Wolheim	...	Dan Thorn
Robert Armstrong	...	Larry Doyle
Jean Arthur	...	Mary Ryan
Hugh Herbert	...	Professor - the Hobo
Frank Sheridan	...	Ed Ryan
Robert Edeson	...	Tom Johnson - Engineer
Alan Roscoe	...	Jim - General Manager
William P. Burt	...	Chief Dispatcher
Jim Farley	...	Joe Geraghty (as James Farley)

Storyline

Head railroad man Dan is as ugly as he is honorable. When he spots a drifter who'd hopped a freight held up by a landslide, Dan offers the man a job; then he finds the man was a railroader, too, and takes him under his wing. Engaged to Mary, Dan doesn't notice the growing attraction between his protégé and his intended, but focuses instead on running the railroad.

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Plot Keywords:

head injury | landslide | hobo | tug of war | train | 

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Taglines:

World's Greatest Railroad Talk Thriller

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fugindo ao Perigo

Filming Locations:

Lombard, Montana, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the 15 December 1930 New York Times review of the film, critic Mordaunt Hall wrote that the film was "pictured" in the Spoor-Berggren process, adding that it filled the screen from side to side of the Mayfair Theatre in New York City. Hall included a paragraph giving technical information about the wide-screen process.

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Goofs

The locomotive that arrives in Chicago is not the same one that left on the trip. When Larry adds oil to the smoking "hotbox" en route, for example, the wheel has an outside journal box that he puts the oil into from a can. The loco that arrives in Chicago has an inside journal on this wheel (under the cab), a different type than the one the loco had earlier.

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Quotes

Dan Thorn: Not exactly handsome. Why, my pants looks like a street before they laid the pavement down.

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Soundtracks

My DreamMemory
(uncredited)
Music by Oscar Levant
Lyrics by Sidney Clare

User Reviews

great action film about steam locomotives woven with a love story

Turner Classic Movies just aired this movie as part of their tribute to 'Star of the Month' Jean Arthur. I have to confess that before watching this movie I was not familiar with any of the actors in the cast. I really enjoyed the film. It takes you to a time of Depression America and the struggles made by many Americans in that era. Railroading in America with it's old steam locomotives plays a prominent role in the picture. I would have to say it's one of the best films on the subject I've ever seen. A snapshot of history at the time. I particularly enjoyed Jean Arthur in her role. I recommend the movie to people who like not only railroading adventure but a good love story.