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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Features rare footage of a tug of war between two steam locomotives, actual documentary footage of the activities in the Miles City yard, and what is believed to be the only motion picture footage of a dynamometer car from the steam railroad era.

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Goofs

The locomotive that arrives in Chicago is not the same one that started the journey. 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 locomotive that arrives in Chicago has an inside journal on this wheel (under the cab), a different type from the one it had earlier.

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Quotes

Ed Ryan: Handsome is as handsome does.

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Love story with railroad background

I found this film to be very good. The railroad scenes are quite realistic and the continuity surprisingly good (in the yard scene), as well as the sound. Those who have not seen steam engines in action will enjoy this movie. I grew up around the railroad during the age of steam and can enjoy the realistic sights and sounds of that day-and-age that are portrayed in this film. There are a couple of exceptions insofar as the action is concerned where the film was sped up to imply fast action, but they are minor in my opinion. As far as actors are concerned, I've long admired Jean Arthur and this does not disappoint! As a railroad buff, I particularly enjoy the scenes on my favorite road (Milwaukee) and the Trans-Missouri District!

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